A Notice of Motion relating to the proposed importation of fresh New Zealand potatoes in Australia was passed in the Senate yesterday, referring an inquiry to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee. The Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Biosecurity is reviewing plans to allow fresh New Zealand potato imports…
DetailsThe Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie and the Member for Western Victoria David O’Brien MLC have met with potato farmers and together slammed the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Biosecurity Division’s review to allow fresh New Zealand potato imports into Australia. Key industry leaders have said there is a strong probability…
DetailsThe Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie has written to the Minister for Mental Health Mark Butler demanding to know why Swan Hill missed out on a headspace centre. Senator McKenzie said it was disappointing Swan Hill’s bid for a headspace centre was ignored when the town’s statistics spoke for themselves. “Swan Hill,…
DetailsAs Australia celebrates National Flag Day today, The Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie is encouraging central Victorians to contact her electorate office for an Australian flag. Part of Senator McKenzie’s role is to promote the Commonwealth and ensure that schools, churches, local councils, and community groups have access to an Australian flag. …
DetailsThe Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie has welcomed the release of the Senate Community Affairs committee’s report into the Factors Affecting the Supply of Health Services and Medical Professionals in Rural Areas. Senator McKenzie participated in the inquiry into the future of Australia’s rural health sector over 10 months, which heard from stakeholders in…
DetailsThe Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie said the Gillard Government’s NBN rollout had again disappointed regional Victorians and failed to meet raised expectations. Senator McKenzie has used a speech in the Senate this week to highlight Labor’s mismanagement of the scheme. “The government’s plan to revolutionise internet delivery is costing more and taking longer…
DetailsThe Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie has this week attacked the Gillard Government’s pattern of broken promises, raised expectations and unfunded commitments in a speech in the Senate. “When the government makes commitments to the people of regional Victoria, they have every right to expect these assurances will be kept,” Senator McKenzie said. “Before…
DetailsThe Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie has condemned the Gillard Government’s commitment to mental health in regional Victoria. This week, Senator McKenzie used a Matters of Public Importance speech in the Senate to highlight Swan Hill’s push for a headspace centre. “Swan Hill has the highest incidence of teenagers who self-harm in the state,…
DetailsThe Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie has encouraged anyone who has developed a new product, or come up with an innovative app or solution to a common problem to enter the 2012 Bendigo Inventor Awards, as applications close on August 10. “Bendigo has been home to some enduring inventions like the Chiko Roll and…
DetailsThe Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie said health services at Bendigo Health are under unnecessary financial pressure from Julia Gillard’s carbon tax. “Analyses performed by the four Coalition state governments confirmed stretched public hospital budgets will face a carbon tax between $1000 and $2400 per hospital bed, per year. “A recent newspaper report…
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