Kevin Rudd has the opportunity to pass strengthened and improved legislation rescuing the Murray-Darling Basin after its passage through the Senate today, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. The Senate has this afternoon passed the Rudd Government’s Water Amendment Bill 2008, with the blockage of Melbourne’s controversial pipeline and a $50 million emergency package…
DetailsAdelaide today plays host to a Senate Committee inquiring into the management of Australia’s waste streams. Today’s is the first of four public hearings in four different cities being held as part of an inquiry initiated by South Australian Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham with a wide brief to examine how Australia…
DetailsPeter Garrett continues to be in denial as the only person in Australia who still thinks imposing a means test on the solar panel rebate scheme will somehow help to combat climate change. Today’s report by the Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts confirms the negative impact the means test…
DetailsMelbourne today plays host to a Senate Committee inquiring into the management of Australia’s waste streams. Today’s is the second of four public hearings in four different cities being held as part of an inquiry initiated by South Australian Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham with a wide brief to examine how Australia…
DetailsSenator Simon Birmingham today welcomed the Senate’s decision to refer the dire situation facing the Murray-Darling, particularly the Lower Lakes and Coorong, to an urgent committee inquiry. The inquiry by the Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport will report by 30 September, giving it a shorter than usual time…
DetailsSignatures on an agreement won’t be enough to save the dying River Murray, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. First Ministers are expected to sign an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for Murray-Darling Basin Reform at today’s Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting in Sydney. “The easy task for First Ministers is to sign the…
DetailsThe Rudd Government is refusing to take the Australian people into its confidence in relation to the Lower Lakes and Coorong, even defying a Senate order to do so, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. The Senate yesterday passed a ‘return to order’ for Water Minister Penny Wong to disclose the emergency advice she…
DetailsSenator Simon Birmingham has called for the withdrawal of a promotion offending many ABC television viewers and for a review of ABC policies relating to such promotions. Last night, the ABC aired on television a promotion encouraging its audience to vote for ABC identities nominated for the TV WEEK Gold Logie for “most…
DetailsSydney today plays host to a Senate Committee inquiring into the management of Australia’s waste streams. Today’s is the third of four public hearings in four different cities being held as part of an inquiry initiated by South Australian Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham with a wide brief to examine how Australia…
DetailsThe Rudd Government continues to avoid taking immediate steps to provide immediate assistance to the Coorong and Lower Lakes, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. “Today’s announcement of a tender to purchase water entitlements in Queensland and northern New South Wales is welcome, but it will do little to address the immediate needs of…
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