Nationals Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie has condemned the Rudd Government for voting against acknowledging three international environmental conservation treaties to which Australia is already a signatory. The treaties all recognise sustainable use of the environment. ‘’The vote highlights the hypocrisy of Labor’s stated support for environmental conservation,’’ Senator McKenzie said. The Senate was asked to…
DetailsThe Federal Government has given a Senate Inquiry into the Australian Education Bill just three days and has refused to allow time for hearings. Victorian Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie said this move came after the Federal Government gagged debate on the Bill in the House of Representatives after less than two hours. Senator McKenzie said…
DetailsNationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie says debt-stressed farmers are no closer to knowing if they’ll get help through concessional loans that the Labor Federal Government announced two months ago. Senator McKenzie today asked Agriculture Minister Senator Joe Ludwig during Question Time why the loans are still not available, even though arrangements are in place…
DetailsThe 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…
DetailsTreasury 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…
DetailsThe 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…
DetailsIn 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…
DetailsThe 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…
DetailsThe 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…
DetailsNationals 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…
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