The 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…
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…
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