The Rudd Labor Government is bleeding an extra $150 million from taxpayers through a rise in the cost of postage, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. A one-off “special dividend” of $150 million is being paid by Australia Post in 2008-09, which according to the Budget Papers “reflects the strong financial position of Australia…
DetailsUnion officials opposed to the Rudd Government’s means test on solar rebates will be among those giving evidence today to a Senate committee inquiry into its impact, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. The hearings in Melbourne today follow those in Canberra on Friday, at which Environment Department officials responsible for the rebate program’s…
DetailsThe Rudd Labor Government’s newly announced process for selecting ABC and SBS Board members has more holes than a block of Swiss cheese, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. The Government has based its model on the so-called “Nolan principles” used in the UK to make appointments to the Board of the British Broadcasting…
DetailsCommunications Minister Stephen Conroy is ignoring criticism of a UK model to be applied in relation to the selection of Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Board members, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. In a scheme similar to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) board appointment process, a so-called “independent panel” is planned to provide Senator…
DetailsThe ACT Labor Government has joined calls for the Rudd Government to abolish its means test on rebates for solar panels, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. ACT Chief Minister John Stanhope has urged the means test’s removal in a strongly worded submission to a Senate committee inquiry into its impact: “No consultation…
DetailsThe Rudd Labor Government has revealed it can’t yet say how much water is likely to be returned to environmental flows as a result of almost $4 billion in infrastructure funding already allocated in principle, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. Under questioning in Senate Supplementary Budget Estimates, Water Minister Penny Wong today revealed…
DetailsCommunications Minister Stephen Conroy has gone to great pains to avoid saying whether he believes “in program” advertising on SBS is in accordance with its obligations under its Act, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. “Senator Conroy has become remarkably coy on this matter as Minister, given his past comments as Shadow Minister when…
DetailsEnvironment Minister Peter Garrett should take advantage of a tailor-made opportunity tomorrow to announce a much needed backflip on the Rudd Government’s unpopular solar rebate means test, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. “The solar industry, environmental groups and unions have all attacked with good reason the $100,000 household means test on the rebate…
DetailsThe Rudd Government must guarantee the future of the solar rebate program, after refusing even to commit to it still being available by the New Year. A failure to commit more funding means the program is surviving only on a week-by-week basis. Under questioning in Senate Estimates, Senator Penny Wong has dodged…
DetailsThe Rudd Labor Government has sought to avoid any scrutiny of its moves to establish its ill-defined $4.7 billion National Broadband Network by refusing to answer any questions about the process in Senate Budget Estimates, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has this morning attempted to shut down all discussion…
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