The Government needs to ‘pick up the phone’ and instruct the Productivity Commission to initiate emergency safeguard action to protect fruit processor SPC, after the Commission chairman confirmed in response to questioning from Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie in Senate estimates last night his organisation was just waiting for a green light. “Since embattled SPC Ardmona…
Treasury officials appearing before Senate Estimates have vindicated claims by State and Territory agriculture ministers last weekend that the Gillard Government is seeking to turn a profit from its proposed Farm Assistance package, according to Victorian Nationals Senator, Bridget McKenzie. “Treasury officials on Wednesday said it was accurate to say the Government was offering loans…
The Nationals have endorsed a plan which would close a tax loophole giving foreign retailers a ten per cent price advantage over local Australian retailers, according to Victorian Nationals Senator, Bridget McKenzie . “At the moment foreign retailers can sell goods to Australia up to $1000 without charging any GST, under a loophole known as…
In concerning news for thousands of workers and growers dependent on the viability of SPC Ardmona in Shepparton, Canberra bureaucrats quizzed by Victorian Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie in Budget Estimates hearings on Tuesday confirmed the Gillard Government has no real plans to give the industry a hand up. “It is clear that some workers are…
The Senate in Canberra twice discussed the difficulties of Shepparton Valley orchardists and the region’s processed food industries on Thursday, courtesy of Victorian Nationals Senator, Bridget McKenzie . “Getting the Federal Parliament to not only pay attention to this critical issue for regional Victoria but also vote in support of our Toss a Tin in…
The plight of Victorian growers and the regional processed fruit industry has been raised in Canberra, courtesy of a Notice of Motion by Victorian Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie, who said the Gillard Labor Government was ignoring the problem. The regional Victoria-based senator has issued a comprehensive list of demands including that the Federal Parliament support…
Nationals Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie has called for a reduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) threshold on foreign imports and online purchases from A$1000 to A$20. GST is currently only applied to online purchases of $1000 or more from foreign countries, making it easy to avoid paying the GST on goods from…
Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie said today’s rally in Shepparton to save SPC Ardmona is a wake up call to the federal Government. The rally, will be attended by growers, processing workers and concerned locals, is calling for action to save the Australian food processing industry. “Over I00 growers have had their contracts drastically…
Shadow Minister for Ageing, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, will attend an aged care forum in Swan Hill on Tuesday May 7, 2013. Senator Fierravanti-Wells will be joined by Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie and local aged care providers, residents, GP’s, carers and family members at the forum. Senator McKenzie said that aged care…
With the September federal election looming, the Gillard Government are doing their best to finalise their agenda by rushing legislation through Parliament. Bridget McKenzie, Nationals Senator for Victoria said the legislation the Government is trying to rush through, without proper process, is alarming. “In the past week I have attended two public hearings reviewing legislation…