The integrity of Australian elections would be improved if the Labor Government accepts the position of a senior Minister who has publicly supported proof-of-identity requirements at polling stations, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. Senator Birmingham is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, which has previously explored the issues relating…
Senator Simon Birmingham and the Member for Grey, Rowan Ramsey, have met with Southern Cross Broadcasting executives to discuss television coverage issues facing South Australia’s north and west. These included services to areas of South Australia’s west coast outside the Spencer Gulf TV1 licence area, but more broadly the opportunities and concerns…
Federal Water Minister Penny Wong has left South Australia out in the cold with her appointment of seven new members of the National Water Commission according to Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham. Minister Wong announced the new appointments on Friday afternoon, electing to appoint a Canberra based chair, two commissioners each from New South…
Senator Simon Birmingham today expressed astonishment at revelations the Rudd Government has not spent a cent on on-farm irrigation projects in the past 12 months. “It is appalling to think that while irrigators and others cry for immediate assistance for a desperate Murray-Darling Basin, the Rudd Government has been sitting on its hands…
Former anti-nuclear campaigner Peter Garrett’s approval of a new uranium mine in South Australia highlights the need to address the Rudd Government’s mixed messages on uranium, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. “Mr Garrett’s approval of the Four Mile uranium mine today further increases Australia’s significant stake as one of the world’s leading uranium…
Senator Simon Birmingham has today urged the Rudd Government to rule out closure of one of Australia’s most iconic tourism experiences. His call follows release today by the Director of National Parks of a draft Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park Management Plan, canvassing closure of the Uluru climb. “Climbing Ayers Rock, or Uluru,…
Labor MP Steve Georganas has failed to deliver on tightening Adelaide Airport’s curfew, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. In response to calls from the South Australian Freight Council for a review of the 11pm-to-6am curfew, Mr Georganas last year undertook instead to seek an even tighter curfew. “I would like to thank…
The Rudd Government and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) must assure Australians that popular children’s television characters B1 and B2 are not about to become cheap cartoon imports, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. It follows reports the ABC is considering retiring all episodes of Bananas in Pyjamas for a one-off payment to enable…
Senator Simon Birmingham has attacked the Rudd Labor Government for cutting funds to a key arm of Tourism Australia and says the effects are already being felt. Tourism Australia has confirmed, through Senate Estimates, that the budget for Business Events Australia was cut by more than $600,000 – more than 10 per cent…
Three grants to surf life saving clubs for rainwater tanks after more than 18 months represents a monumental failure by the Rudd Government to honour an election promise, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. This program began as a very significant commitment during the campaign: Anthony Albanese and Peter Garrett announced that a…