Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie said a Coalition Government would strengthen Australia’s anti-dumping regime. The food and grocery industry is Australia’s largest manufacturing sector and a key economic driver for regional Victoria. ‘Dumping’ occurs when foreign product is sold in Australia at less than its cost of production, undercutting local growers or businesses. Senator…
DetailsVictorian Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie has made submissions to the Productivity Commission’s inquiries into the impact of cheap fruit and tomato imports on Australian producers. Senator McKenzie said under the World Trade Organisation agreement, safeguard measures could be applied to prevent serious and ongoing harm to industry. ‘‘In a free trade environment, dumping can occur,…
DetailsNationals Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie will this week address a forum on the recently launched DisabilityCare Australia. Senator McKenzie is a member of the joint select committee on DisabilityCare Australia, otherwise known as the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The scheme has commenced in trial sites across the country, including the Barwon region in Victoria. ‘‘The…
DetailsNationals Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie has welcomed the opportunity to be involved in the Racism. It Stops With Me campaign. Senator McKenzie will tomorrow meet with the heads of local sporting organisations, along with Clubs Australia, who are leading the campaign in the region. Jason Wallace (Bendigo Stadium/Bendigo Basketball), Ken Yates (Kangaroo Flat Sports Club),…
DetailsVictorian Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie will visit Tasmania on Saturday to launch The Nationals in Deloraine. Senator McKenzie said it was a great honour to be present at the launch of the party after a 15 year hiatus. ‘’Tasmania and The Nationals are a great fit,’’ she said. ‘’Tasmania has vibrant rural and regional communities…
DetailsNationals 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…
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