Two 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…
DetailsTaxpayers are spending more to install smaller solar systems thanks to the Rudd Government’s means testing of the $8000 solar panels rebate, Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham said today. Environment Department officials responsible for administration of the rebate scheme made the revelations at hearings in Brisbane today of a Senate inquiry into the much…
DetailsThe Senate’s decision to block the controversial Melbourne pipeline has been enthusiastically welcomed by Senator Simon Birmingham as an historic opportunity for the Rudd Government. The Senate has this evening voted 33-20 in favour of an amendment to the Government’s Water Amendment Bill 2008 blocking the construction and operation of the heavily criticised…
DetailsLabor Member for Hindmarsh Steve Georganas can do more for protesting West Beach residents than print rally flyers, Senator Simon Birmingham said today. Residents upset at the rerouting of the J1 bus service away from Burbridge Road are protesting this Saturday, and Mr Georganas has publicly confirmed he offered to help print flyers…
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