SENATOR BIRMINGHAM: (South Australia) (18:01): I, too, join this debate to take note of the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee report on the management of the Murray-Darling Basin. I will be keeping my remarks relatively brief, but I congratulate the members of that committee led by Senator Heffernan, all of those who…
Senator BIRMINGHAM: (South Australia) (18:56): Earlier today, in question time, Senator Bob Carr in his capacity as the Minister for Foreign Affairs answered some questions relating to democracy in Fiji. His answers were welcome. They were strong and clear on the expectations that Australia has for democratic advancement in Fiji and on the lifting of…
Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia) (18:04): I rise to speak on the Clean Energy Amendment (International Emissions Trading and Other Measures) Bill 2012, which is part of a package of legislation that once again demonstrates- The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Birmingham, I am sorry. Order, please! If you are not participating, could you leave…
Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia) (13:26): Thank you very much Mr Acting Deputy President. It is a pleasure to note that the debate is not being closed and that I do not need to go through the same processes we did at the end of last year in seeking some leave from the chamber to make…
Senator BIRMINGHAM: (19:02): Thank you, Mr President. I thank the Senate and I thank the government for their facilitation, whilst in no way of approving of the gag that was just applied by the government and the Greens to this debate. I come to the issue. I rise to support reform. I rise to support…
Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia) (10:58): I rise to also contribute to this debate on the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment (Excessive Noise from Wind Farms) Bill 2012. I welcome the opportunity provided by this debate for us to make some comments on what is a genuine area of concern in parts of the community and…
Senator BIRMINGHAM: (South Australia: 7.02pm) Thank you, Mr President. I thank the Senate and I thank the government for their facilitation, whilst in no way of approving of the gag that was just applied by the government and the Greens to this debate. I come to the issue. I rise to support reform. I rise…
Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia) (12:37): I am delighted to have learned from listening to Senator Whish-Wilson that you and I, Senator Ruston and Senator Farrell live in some type of litter and recycling nirvana. Where we are is obviously heaven on earth compared to everywhere else-and it is. It is a wonderful place to live,…
Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia) (18:04): I rise to speak on the Clean Energy Amendment (International Emissions Trading and Other Measures) Bill 2012, which is part of a package of legislation that once again demonstrates— The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Birmingham, I am sorry. Order, please! If you are not participating, could you leave the…
Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia) (10:12): Hell has truly frozen over in this place this morning, because we just received a lecture on economic and fiscal responsibility from the Australian Greens! The Australian Greens-the big taxing, big spending party of this parliament, who put even the Labor Party to shame with their spending habits-have just…