A truly independent panel must be appointed to select future Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Board members, Senator Simon Birmingham today. A so-called “independent panel” is planned to provide Communications Minister Stephen Conroy with a shortlist for board vacancies as part of Labor’s election policies, a scheme similar to the BBC’s board appointment process.…
DetailsSenator Simon Birmingham today expressed disappointment at revelations the Rudd Labor Government had broken election commitments in relation to the National Plan for Water Security to the tune of at least $85 million. Water Minister Penny Wong today told a Senate Additional Estimates committee that despite an election commitment to bring forward to…
DetailsThe Prime Minister yesterday confirmed he is passing the buck on the River Murray, contrary to his pre-election assurance that the buck would stop with him. Senator Simon Birmingham said Mr Rudd’s refusal to engage himself in negotiations with Victoria over national management of the river was a breach of faith with South…
DetailsPoor network coverage, conflicting advice from Telstra on handsets and poor levels of service are among key concerns South Australians have with making the transition to Telstra’s Next G network, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. Senator Birmingham invited South Australians to report their experiences and concerns, following the Communications Minister’s decision in January…
DetailsThousands of megalitres of water are being wasted in South Australia because the Rann Labor Government’s commitment to valuable water conservation projects had all but evaporated, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. It follows confirmation overnight, under questioning from Senator Birmingham in Senate Estimates hearings, that major water projects earmarked for South Australia had…
DetailsThe proposed Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets (MRET) scheme should include clean coal technologies such as carbon storage, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. Senator Birmingham has written to Professor Ross Garnaut urging him to consider the role of carbon sequestration as part of his review into the effects of climate change on the Australian…
DetailsUsing the State Budget as a media shield, the South Australian Branch of the Labor Party will today execute one of their own, Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham said today. First-term Senator Linda Kirk is set to lose her endorsement in favour of factional and union boss Don Farrell at a preselection being cynically…
DetailsWaste management will be the subject of a parliamentary inquiry, after the Senate passed a motion moved by Senator Simon Birmingham this morning. The move comes as the federal and state governments claim to be working towards a phase-out of single-use plastic bags by 2009, but with the Rudd Government flip flopping on…
DetailsUnions have given further indications they expect to get their way if a Rudd Labor Government is elected, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. It follows Kevin Rudd failing to stand up to the unions, allowing Right faction powerbroker and union heavyweight Don Farrell to be pre-selected on Thursday at first spot on the…
DetailsThe Communications Minister must heed the concerns of regional consumers in South Australia and elsewhere and put on hold Telstra’s planned CDMA network switch off, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. “Poor network coverage, conflicting advice from Telstra on handsets and poor levels of service are all among concerns related to me by South…
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