The 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…
DetailsSouth Australian solar panel installers will today tell of the damage caused to their business by the Rudd Government’s means test on solar panel rebates, Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham said today. Today’s Senate committee inquiry hearing follows those in Melbourne and also Canberra, where Environment Department officials responsible for the rebate program’s administration…
DetailsA timeline of events linked to the appointment of new whaling envoy Sandy Hollway has become only more puzzling after a Parliamentary committee hearing overnight, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. Despite reports in early May denied by the Government at the time that Mr Hollway had been selected as Australia’s first…
DetailsTwo of the Government’s leading climate change policies are looking fatally flawed because of the inaction and indifference of Environment Minister Peter Garrett, Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham said today. Senate Budget Estimates last night revealed that no progress had been made since the election on implementing the Government’s $300 million Green Loans policy…
DetailsWestern Australian solar panel installers will today tell of the damage caused to their business by the Rudd Government’s means test on solar panel rebates, Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham said today. Today’s Senate committee inquiry hearing follows those in Adelaide, Melbourne and also Canberra, where Environment Department officials responsible for the rebate program’s…
DetailsSenator Simon Birmingham today asked why a River Murray infrastructure project that saves no water can be built in months, while others that could save billions of litres are years away from starting. “I welcome the start of construction of pipelines providing greater water security for Lower Lakes communities,” Senator Birmingham said today. ”This…
DetailsThe Rudd Labor Government has all but abandoned its policy position of phasing out single use plastic bags in the face of high economic costs, Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham said today. Under questioning in Senate Budget Estimates late yesterday, it was revealed the economic cost of banning plastic bags would be $78 million…
DetailsA Senate inquiry today has an opportunity to make the Rudd Government come clean on the impact of its much criticised means test on solar panel rebates, Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham said today. Environment Department officials responsible for the rebate program’s administration are scheduled to appear today, after they were an eleventh hour…
DetailsThe Rudd Government today has a key opportunity to take a meaningful stand in support of the Murray-Darling Basin, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. Debate in the Senate commences on the Water Amendment Bill 2008 today, with Coalition Senators to move key amendments to further protect the river and achieve greater water savings…
DetailsRevelations in Senate Estimates show that Youth Minister Kate Ellis is at odds with her Department in no less than three areas over the review into voluntary student unionism. Senator Simon Birmingham said Ms Ellis and officials today contradicted each other on: 1. the timing of when the report into VSU was provided…
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