MICHAEL SMYTH: … first to this report out today into Adelaide’s operational, controversial but soon-to-be-mothballed desal plant the federal Auditor-General critical of the decision to double the size of the plant and also the way that some of the funding was signed off. The report was initiated by Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham who…
DetailsSIMON BIRMINGHAM: This report from the Auditor-General is a damning indictment of the Commonwealth funding decisions into the Adelaide Desalination Plant. $328 million of taxpayers’ money was spent in a process that demonstrates Labor spends first and thinks later when it comes to its funding commitments $328 million of taxpayers’ money spent, the…
DetailsKIERAN GILBERT: With me now, Liberal frontbencher Senator Simon Birmingham and Labor MP Andrew Leigh. Andrew Leigh, thanks for your time. I’ll start with you if I can. On the budget, Joe Hockey is saying that, well, the Disability Insurance Scheme, if the Government is going to pursue a Medicare-style levy it’s only going…
DetailsLEON BYNER: Now, South Australian taxpayers face an estimated $500 million bill to complete the planned Darlington Interchange after the Federal Opposition’s promise of a major cash injection. As usual, we’ll have both sides of this. Let’s first of all talk with Senator Simon Birmingham. Simon, what meat can you add to the bone…
DetailsKIERAN GILBERT: … let’s look at some domestic political issues… The [Australian] Financial Review reporting this morning that Bill Scales, the Swinburne University of Technology chancellor… he was the author of the Button car plan [Motor Industry Development Plan] under Labor Prime Minister Bob Hawke… he’s wondering why the Government is targeting higher education…
DetailsSAMANTHA HAWLEY: Let’s turn first to the bombings at the Boston Marathon. Despite more than 100 Australians participating in the event, none were injured when two bombs ripped through the crowd at the race finish line. Three people were killed and more than 100 injured. The Prime Minister has written to the United States…
DetailsTIM PALMER: Australia’s online retailers have noisily objected to overseas competition sparked by a high Australian dollar but now they’re about to get squeezed even more because their costs of delivery are going up. Australia Post’s confirmed significant price rises for its parcel delivery services. Local sellers are outraged, particularly because Australia Post subsidises…
DetailsIAN HENSCHKE: Steve Harrison is the Director of Economic Development for the City of Prospect … and speaking from an operational point of view…on the policy of the Coalition in terms of the NBN [National Broadband Network]….is there a particular thing that you favour? STEVE HARRISON: Yeah, oh, look, for sure, we have…
DetailsPAUL MURRAY: Now, today we learn via The [Daily] Telegraph, and this is a good one, that how’s this? they are spending… and I’ve been on this for a long time but they are going to spend about $24 million, this bloody Federal Government… they’re going to spend $24 million advertising the…
DetailsGRANT GOLDMAN: Australian taxpayers have footed a bill approaching a million dollars to send an extravagant 52-person delegation to a single three-day conference in Brazil. It’s according to Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment Simon Birmingham. A million dollars for a three-day conference! Details on the size and cost of Australia’s attendance at the…
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