Federal Labor tried and failed to block the Government’s Gonski needs-based funding plan which passed in the House of Representatives tonight. National's Senator for Victoria, Senator McKenzie said the Government’s needs-based funding reforms had been endorsed by David Gonski himself and promoted initially by Labor when in Government with their largely un-funded Gonski model. “We’re…
National Party Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie, today hit out at the lack of hearings of a Senate References Committee into decentralisation. “As a member of the Labor dominated References Committee into relocating some Commonwealth agencies and offices to regional areas, I am appalled that there is only one hearing outside Canberra – in Townsville.…
National’s Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie says the Federal Government’s higher education reforms will “drive better outcomes” for both students and taxpayers, according throughout the state. Senator McKenzie said the reforms delivered on the Turnbull/Joyce Government’s commitment to higher education reforms that are fair, drive quality and excellence, were financially sustainable and ensured students had…
Senator Bridget McKenzie, Senator for Victoria, today welcomed the further injection of funding by the Coalition Government to the legal assistance sector as part of the 2017-18 budget. The Turnbull Government will provide a further $55.7 million over the next three years to community legal centres ($39 million) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal services ($16.7 million). “$1.73 billion is now…
National’s Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie said today Labor is refusing to allow regional councils and others to have their say in the References Committee hearings into decentralising Commonwealth agencies and offices to regional areas. “I have written to the committee requesting that a number of Councils be invited to appear at the only hearing…
National’s Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie said today Labor’s refusal to hold more References Committee hearings into decentralising Commonwealth agencies and offices to regional areas, who are strongly backing the move, is another example of its bloody mindedness on the issue. “The Labor chaired Committee refused my request for more regional hearings including Armidale in…
National’s Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie said the coalition government decision to initiate a consultation on reforms to support co-operatives, mutuals and member-owned firms in Australia is great news for investment and jobs, especially in regional Australia. “This is a great outcome and is a result of a lot of work and promotion of the…
National’s Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie said today Wodonga would be the ideal city for the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s re-location of some of its city staff. The MDBA today announced that 10 percent of its staff, up to 30 employees is expected to voluntarily relocate to regional offices, including Albury – Wodonga. Senator McKenzie said…
National’s Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie today welcomed the setting up of a Regional Ministerial Taskforce to address key issues in regional Australia, chaired by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Deputy Leader of the Nationals and Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash will be deputy chair. The Taskforce will bring together relevant portfolio Ministers to address…
National Party Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie today welcomed the ACCC Study into Australia’s cattle and beef markets which she said goes to the heart of problems in the industry raised with her over many years. ‘For decades, I have been hearing about a culture of fear and intimidation throughout the beef industry and the…