The Gillard Government has sunk to new lows of secrecy regarding legal advice at the centre of the crisis ridden Murray-Darling Basin reform process, Coalition Basin spokesman Simon Birmingham said today. Water Minister Tony Burke has reportedly claimed that new legal advice provided to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority will not be publicly released…
DetailsThe resignation of Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) chairman Mike Taylor has plunged the already troubled Murray-Darling reform process into a deep crisis. Mr Taylor has resigned at the worst possible time, having just concluded consultation on the Authority’s Guide to the proposed Basin Plan but before the finalisation of the actual proposed Basin…
DetailsCrows and Power fans look set to be potential losers as live coverage of games could be limited to Pay TV services under changes to broadcasting laws mooted by the Gillard Government. Reports in the Financial Review today suggest Labor is set to allow Pay TV operators to bid directly for four weekly…
DetailsThe Gillard Government’s proposed $43 billion National Broadband Network (NBN) is in disarray, with mounting signs of paranoia and mistrust as secrecy surrounding the project reaches new levels, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. In response to questions from Senator Birmingham, representing the Shadow Minister in the Senate, Broadband Minister Stephen Conroy today revealed…
DetailsA Bill to enable appropriate scrutiny of the Gillard Government’s proposed $43 National Broadband Network (NBN) has been introduced in the Senate today by Senator Simon Birmingham. Senator Birmingham represents Shadow Communications and Broadband Minister Malcolm Turnbull in the Senate, and has introduced the National Broadband Network Financial Transparency Bill 2010 following its…
DetailsThe Labor Government is a one trick pony on Murray-Darling Basin reform, Coalition Basin spokesman Simon Birmingham said today. It follows today’s announcement of another round of water buybacks, for the southern part of the Basin and the Lower Balonne region of Queensland. “When in trouble Labor have returned to the only…
DetailsThe Gillard Government has today confirmed the enormous extent of its underspending from the $5.9 billion program designed to deliver water saving infrastructure, Coalition Murray-Darling Basin spokesman Simon Birmingham said today. In response to questions from Senator Birmingham in Question Time today, Senator Stephen Conroy revealed the Government’s total spending to date is…
DetailsAnother Labor election campaign platform is unravelling at a cost of millions of litres in lost water savings, Coalition Murray-Darling Basin spokesman Simon Birmingham said today. Prime Minister Julia Gillard was keen in August to make election mileage out of an agreement with New South Wales on operation of the Menindee Lakes storage…
DetailsWater Minister Tony Burke took 22 days following his swearing-in to meet with the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s chairman, ultimately doing so just two days before the release of its Basin Plan Guide, it has been revealed in Parliament. The revelation came in responses, tabled yesterday afternoon, to questions asked by Coalition Basin spokesman…
DetailsFurther delays in finalising a Murray-Darling Basin Plan are a direct result of Labor’s mismanagement and will only prolong uncertainty for Basin communities, Coalition Basin spokesman Simon Birmingham said today. It follows reported indications from the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s chief executive that the already delayed process could be pushed out to 2012. …
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