Saturday, December 20, 2008

Liberal Messages Saturday 20th December

Rifleman Stuart Nash
On behalf of the Opposition, I express our deep sadness on learning of the death of Rifleman Stuart Nash in Afghanistan. A young soldier, he gave his life in the cause of freedom.

Without transparency, Rudd's infrastructure list raises more questions than answers
Today’s release of the first infrastructure projects list contains a number of worthy projects but no reasons for their selection and no explanation for the projects that did not make the cut.

Rescue mission reinforces our Navy's worth
Sending the HMAS Arunta this morning to rescue a French sailor in the Indian Ocean is a timely reminder of the importance of Australia’s naval capability needs and requirements.

Gillard leaves families in lurch on childcare
Minister Gillard’s failure to manage the ABC Learning crisis has resulted in hundreds of families being left in the lurch just six day before Christmas.

A cracked record and a broken promise on whaling
Prior to the election, Kevin Rudd made an express, clear and absolute promise on taking Japan to the International Court of Justice on whaling. The promise was absolute and unconditional.

Treasurer undermines confidence by flagging further stimulus
The Treasurer is further undermining business and consumer confidence by raising the spectre of a further spending package even before the $10.4 billion stimulus package or the recent interest rate cuts have had a chance to take effect.

Rudd, Campbell must act on ACL Bearings
The Rudd Labor Government must urgently act in concert with the Bartlett Labor Government to secure the future of ACL Bearings in Launceston.

Garrett misleads on the true value of the solar panel rebate
Peter Garrett is being deceptive and misleading today by telling Australians they will receive a $7,500 subsidy for their solar panel rebates under his latest solar scheme.

Let children be children – Stop the PC brainwashing
Australian parents and early learning childhood teachers should be concerned about the Rudd Government’s Early Years Learning Framework (Draft.) This is a bizarre attempt to foist political correctness on the youngest of all Australians.

Ageing crisis trivial to Australia's star struck PM
I call on the Rudd Government to guarantee to older Australians and aged care providers that we won’t see a repeat of this year’s performance when the Rudd Government back-flipped at the eleventh hour on cutting funding to aged care.

Rudd's rushed NGO reform
The Rudd Government is rushing through its reform of the not-for-profit sector and ignoring the concerns of organisations in its quest to bury the sector in bureaucratic red tape.

Shadow Minister visits GP practice
Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing, Peter Dutton, today visited the Dayboro Medical Centre and met with general practitioners and practice staff to discuss the challenges they are facing as frontline health care providers.

Smith responds to Coalition calls for action in Zimbabwe
As recently as last Sunday, Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull and I called for increased diplomatic action from the Rudd Government in relation to the disintegrating political situation and the escalating humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe.

Border security disaster looms
Yesterday’s illegal boatload of 37 asylum seekers is further proof that the Rudd Labor Government’s change of policy and lack of adequate resources, is been clearly noted by people smugglers.

$2,000 - $5,000 solar short change: Means test capitulation
Australian families will pay up to $5,000 more to install solar panels in their homes following today’s announcement by the Rudd Government. This is a $5,000 Solar Short Change.

Defence cut backs - Another Rudd broken promise
The Pappas Review commissioned by the Defence Minister will show the Rudd Government plans to slash military spending across the board and sell off bases and facilities.

How will the Government pay for Bradley?
The Shadow Minister for Education, Christopher Pyne, welcomed the release of the Bradley Review into Higher Education today.

Sherry's end of year report card a dim read
A broad range of key stakeholders have expressed to me their keen desire to see measurable outcomes from the Minister, rather than rhetoric and reviews.

NSW levy reductions welcome but infrastructure forgotten
The NSW Government has acted belatedly to reduce developer levies but this can’t be done simply to boost its budget at the expense of providing essential infrastructure.

Defence jobs at risk from base closures!
Bob Baldwin, has expressed serious concern today following reports that a draft audit of the Defence budget has recommended cutting defence spending by a further $10billion over the next decade.

The moment of truth for Labor in Higher Education
The Rudd Government has managed to delay developing its universities policy and making any hard decisions for over a year. Now the moment of truth has arrived.

Peter Dutton Daily Telegraph Blog - Kunning Kevin's environmental ruse
In the ultimate act of political cunning, Kevin Rudd has managed to squib on his election commitment on the ETS and be praised in the process.

Turnbull Joint Doorstop Interview with Robb - Emissions trading scheme white paper
Well the Government has presented today its 800 page white paper on its emissions trading scheme and we will be considering that with great care. It’s a very detailed document, and we’ll be reviewing it carefully.

Housing industry needs more than 'sugar hit' stimulus
Today’s dwelling commencement figures released by the ABS reveal that the Australian Housing Industry needs more than short term stimulus to turnaround a decline in housing construction across Australia that is ballooning undersupply and in turn driving up prices and rents.

Cap off the year by saying 'yes' to JSF
The Defence Minister has had 12 months in order to do his homework on the Joint Strike Fighter project and should make a decision on what his own Department sees as inevitable.

Wood welcomes new Crime Commission CEO
Congratulations are extended by the Coalition to John Lawler who will be the new Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Crime Commission.

Julie Bishop Fairfax Blog - Information is the key
There is an old saying that information is power and that is certainly true when dealing with all things financial. Those who are most informed about the unfolding problems in world financial markets are best placed to take appropriate steps to safeguard their investments and the welfare of their families.

Devil in the detail on Emissions Trading Scheme
The Coalition will make a considered evaluation of the Government’s proposed emissions trading scheme released today. This is one of the biggest structural changes in a generation to our economy. We will not be rushed into endorsing, opposing or suggesting amendments to this proposal.

Minister for Defence - Asleep at the wheel again
How much advice and time does the Minister for Defence need before he is jolted into action? The revelation that our troops in Iraq could be forced to exit sometime in the next few weeks is of a major concern.

Justice Virginia Bell
The Opposition welcomes the announcement today of Justice Virginia Bell as the next judge of the High Court of Australia.

Government must reveal EOI process for ABC
As more questions continue to arise about the future of the 241 ABC Learning Centres deemed “unviable”, the Government has a duty to ensure that the Expression of Interest process is transparent and fair.

Conroy's broadband farce sinks to new levels
The Rudd Labor Government’s exclusion of Telstra from the National Broadband Network (NBN) tender process on the most spurious grounds, is the latest example of the total ineptitude and mishandling that has plagued this process from the beginning.

Still no action on ADF Superannuation report!
It is now 356 days since the tabling of the Report of the Review into Military Superannuation Arrangements and there has still been no action or response from the Rudd Labor Government.

Labor denies thousands of families a Christmas bonus
Kevin Rudd’s promised bonus payments to families who receive the family tax benefit is being denied to more than 150,000 families.

PM fails to reverse the solar panel means test
Kevin Rudd has failed to reverse the inexplicable capping of the $8,000 solar panel rebate. By capping availability for the rebate, mums and dads on $51,000 each – middle income by any definition – are no longer able to access affordable solar energy.

Zimbabwe needs action
The Coalition has today called on the Rudd Government to increase diplomatic pressure on Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe to spare his people the catastrophic effects of a cholera epidemic.

Broadband panel hears from proponents now the public must hear from Conroy
Following presentations to the National Broadband Network (NBN) expert panel by proponents - scheduled this weekend - I call on Communications Minister Stephen Conroy to update the Australian public on the outcome.

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