Environment Minister Peter Garrett is so embarrassed at his underperforming Green Loans program that he’s now trying to distance himself from any of the program’s targets, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. In a laughable television performance this morning, Mr Garrett also tried to blame Home Sustainability Assessors for the delays they’ve experienced in…
DetailsThe Government’s proposed emissions trading scheme is so confusing that even Mr Rudd and his Government’s Leader in the Senate can’t explain its impact nearly nine months after the legislation’s introduction, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Action Simon Birmingham said today. Asked yesterday by Senator Birmingham how many Australian families will be worse…
DetailsThe arrogance of the Rudd Labor Government has been on display, with the Government’s Leader in the Senate today suggesting the cost impacts of its proposed massive new tax on everything was not a relevant matter for Question Time. The comment from Senator Chris Evans came in response to a question from Senator…
Details(Sonya Feldhoff: Good afternoon, Senator.) Good afternoon, Sonya and listeners, a pleasure to be with you. (Feldhoff: This policy, how does it differ from the climate change policy we’ve seen from the Government in the past?) Sonya, this is a markedly different approach that the Coalition is taking to climate change in Australia and it’s an…
Details(Leon Byner: Simon, yesterday your boss announced a remedy to reduce CO2 emissions but it’s received a degree of criticism. In a nutshell, what does Mr Abbott’s and your Opposition policy do?) Good morning, Leon and listeners. Yesterday, Tony Abbott released what is a very clear alternative to the Government’s emissions trading scheme and the alternative is…
DetailsThe Rudd Government is refusing to answer key Estimates questions relating to water policy, Coalition Murray Darling spokesman Simon Birmingham said today. “The Government’s failure to answer key questions makes a mockery of the Senate Estimates process, usually one of the more effective means of accountability,” Senator Birmingham said. The October round…
DetailsWater Minister Penny Wong should make clear how she would vote in a Murray Darling Basin referendum, Coalition Murray Darling spokesman Simon Birmingham said today. A Coalition Government will call a referendum to refer powers necessary for effective, independent management of the Basin’s water resources, should the States remain unwilling to do so…
DetailsGood morning Tony, good morning Keith, listeners. Look, Minister Wong is being particularly misleading when it comes to Tony Abbott’s plan for a referendum, quite misleading. Nobody wants to wait until 2013, nobody hopes that we have to leave it ’til then to resolve once and for all management issues in the Basin but…
DetailsThe Lower Murray is being denied further additional flows out of New South Wales thanks to ongoing delays in promised infrastructure works, Coalition Murray Darling Basin spokesman Simon Birmingham said today. “The relief that additional flows announced over the last 24 hours will bring to the Lower Lakes and other parts is welcome,…
DetailsWater Minister Penny Wong has today refused to indicate satisfaction with her Government’s current flawed deal governing management of the Murray Darling Basin. The refusal came in an interview on Adelaide radio, following Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s policy announcement last night to deliver true national management of the Basin. Senator Birmingham: “…is…
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