Govt Gags Regional Radio Bill Debate

The Labor Government has continued to ram a raft of important legislation through the Senate without due opportunity to talk about the implications for regional Australia, according to The Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie. Debate on the mining tax was cut short earlier this week and legislation impacting the textiles industry was given little…

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Gillard Govt betrays Bendigo over PHI

News the Gillard Government rammed their changes to Private Health Insurance through the Senate last night will come as a blow to regional Victorians, according to Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie. “This is another betrayal by the Gillard Government which will further increase cost of living pressures on Bendigo residents,” Senator McKenzie said today. “Our nation’s…

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Senators urge action on ag skills shortage

THREE coalition senators have moved that the Labor government be more proactive in addressing the worsening shortage of agriculture graduates and skilled workers. Senators Fiona Nash, Chris Back and Bridget McKenzie introduced the motion that was supported by the Greens and Independent senators. “But Labor senators bizarrely opposed the motion that seeks to reverse a…

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Coalition tours Thales

  6 March 2012 FEDERAL Liberal leader Tony Abbott fell short of guaranteeing defence contracts for Thales during a visit to Bendigo yesterday. Mr Abbott toured the defence manufacturer’s facilities and announced a veterans’ affairs policy during his Bendigo trip. He ridiculed the government for failing to give Thales a contract earlier this year, a…

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MDBA concedes taking basin water will have ‘damaging, severe, devastating effects’

The Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie will welcome the Women for a Living Basin community group to the halls of Parliament tomorrow. Senator McKenzie said the delegation was heading to Canberra to draw attention to the negative social impacts of the Murray Darling Basin Plan on their families, schools, businesses and communities. “This dedicated…

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