Australians face being slugged another backdoor tax hike, with the basic postage rate going up for the second time in just over 12 months, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. Under questioning in Senate Supplementary Budget Estimates this morning, Australia Post has revealed plans for its second 5-cent rise in basic postage rate in…
DetailsSenator Simon Birmingham is calling on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to visit Gawler while in South Australia and hear firsthand local concerns about health services there. It follows Kevin Rudd and Health Minister Nicola Roxon’s visit to Murray Bridge today, as part of national consultation surrounding the Government’s health reform plans. GPs…
DetailsThe Rudd Government’s failure to take a strong stand on national water management has been reinforced in a damning report today. The National Water Commission released a two-yearly assessment of progress in implementing the National Water Initiative the reform plan agreed to by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments in 2004. …
DetailsThe integrity of Australian elections would be improved if the Labor Government accepts the position of a senior Minister who has publicly supported proof-of-identity requirements at polling stations, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. Senator Birmingham is a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, which has previously explored the issues relating…
DetailsSenator Simon Birmingham is urging South Australian Age Pensioners subjected to the Rudd Government’s onerous Work Bonus reporting requirements to contact him with details of any difficulties experienced. Under new arrangements, any age pensioners earning an income are required to report fortnightly or face receiving a ‘nil payment’. “People who reach Age…
DetailsSenator Simon Birmingham and the Member for Grey, Rowan Ramsey, have met with Southern Cross Broadcasting executives to discuss television coverage issues facing South Australia’s north and west. These included services to areas of South Australia’s west coast outside the Spencer Gulf TV1 licence area, but more broadly the opportunities and concerns…
DetailsFederal Water Minister Penny Wong has left South Australia out in the cold with her appointment of seven new members of the National Water Commission according to Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham. Minister Wong announced the new appointments on Friday afternoon, electing to appoint a Canberra based chair, two commissioners each from New South…
DetailsSenator Simon Birmingham today expressed astonishment at revelations the Rudd Government has not spent a cent on on-farm irrigation projects in the past 12 months. “It is appalling to think that while irrigators and others cry for immediate assistance for a desperate Murray-Darling Basin, the Rudd Government has been sitting on its hands…
DetailsFormer anti-nuclear campaigner Peter Garrett’s approval of a new uranium mine in South Australia highlights the need to address the Rudd Government’s mixed messages on uranium, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. “Mr Garrett’s approval of the Four Mile uranium mine today further increases Australia’s significant stake as one of the world’s leading uranium…
DetailsSenator Simon Birmingham has today urged the Rudd Government to rule out closure of one of Australia’s most iconic tourism experiences. His call follows release today by the Director of National Parks of a draft UluruKata Tjuta National Park Management Plan, canvassing closure of the Uluru climb. “Climbing Ayers Rock, or Uluru,…
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