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Entries for November 2008
27 November 2008 in Speeches
ADJOURNMENT - Mayo Electorate: Water
Mr BRIGGS (Mayo) (7:30 PM) —I rise this evening in this adjournment debate to discuss an issue which is the biggest issue in my electorate and probably the biggest issue in South Australia, and that is the current water crisis and the effect it is having on the communities along the Lower Lakes and in Goolwa in my electorate. Many people in the eastern states understand that the water crisis is a major challenge for our country but have little unde... »
27 November 2008 in Speeches
Main Committee - CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS - Mayo Electorate: Mr and Mrs Goldner
Mr BRIGGS (Mayo) (10:25 AM) —I join with the member for Lindsay. Water Safety is a worthwhile cause. As the parent of two young children, drowning is one of the biggest fears you are ever likely to have. I welcome and support his remarks.
I rise today to talk about two of my constituents, Mr and Mrs Goldner, whom I raised in question time on Tuesday. Mr and Mrs Goldner, for those who are not familiar with the ca... »
27 November 2008 in Media
Claims by Federal Water Minister Penny Wong that the $50 million emergency assistance package for the people of the Lower Lakes and Goolwa was a political stunt shows how out of touch she is with the issues affecting the area.
Ms Wong was speaking after the Senate passed a Bill supporting the immediate release of the funds to help those businesses facing financial ruin from the lack of water.
The people of the area are frustrated and angry and believe their plight is being ignored by the curre... »
27 November 2008 in Speeches
Mr Briggs (10:00 AM) —Here we go again: Labor is back with big budget deficits and new taxes. ‘It is a good tax’. That is quite an amazing statement by the member for Blair. Two points I will pick up. The member for Blair raised the Whitlam government. How appropriate when we see, after 12 months, a budget going into deficit already. How appropriate that we see a budget with new taxes. Understand this, Mr Deputy Speaker: they inherited the best budget position in the history of the Commonwealth.... »
25 November 2008 in Speeches
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE - Banking
Mr BRIGGS (Mayo) (2:18 PM) —My question is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to two of my constituents, Mr and Mrs Goldner, who have had their cash management account frozen following the government’s announcement of the bank deposit guarantee. Mr and Mrs Goldner had purchased a block of land on Hindmarsh Island and commenced building. They were due to pay the builder but cannot because their account has been frozen. What is the government doin... »
25 November 2008 in Media
The people of the Lower Lakes and Goolwa have become Kevin Rudd’s forgotten people after the first twelve months of his Prime Ministership.
Mr Rudd has talked about the situation in the Lower Lakes but failed to take the required action.
While there are no quick fixes to the issues that bedevil the Lower Lakes, Mr Rudd has made several decisions which will make the situation worse. These include:
Giving into the States demands on the veto power, thus failing to create a true national sy... »
21 November 2008 in Media
I am pleased to announce that young sports men and woman throughout the electorate of Mayo are eligible to apply for sporting grants of up to $3,000 under the Federal Government’s Local Sporting Champions Program.
Under the initiative, successful individual applicants will receive $500 and successful team applicants will receive $3,000 to contribute towards the cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment when competing in a nominated sporting competition.
The program is available for ... »
10 November 2008 in Speeches
Mr BRIGGS (Mayo) (4:34 PM) - I rise to speak on the Tax Laws Amendment (Education Refund) Bill 2008, the thrust of which I support. This is a bill which comes out of a promise made during the last year’s election campaign and what was a battle of tit-for-tat on several major policy areas. It amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 by introducing a 50 per cent refundable tax offset for eligible education expenses, the education tax refund, up to a maximum of $750 for children undertaking primar... »
07 November 2008 in Media
Today’s prediction by the Murray Darling Basin Commission that we are in for a long hot summer with below average rainfall, has dealt another blow to the people of the Lower Lakes and Coorong.
I have called on Prime Minister Rudd to immediately release at least 30 gigalitres of water to save the Lower Lakes and Coorong as recommended in the recent Senate report, failure to do so will have a devastating affect on the communities in the area.
The time for talking, reviews and inquiries are over,... »
06 November 2008 in Media
The Rudd Government must move quickly to reassure local families who rely on ABC Learning in Aberfoyle Park and Oakbank for their childcare as the Board considers calling in administrators.
The time has come for the Childcare Parliamentary Secretary Maxine McKew to take a leadership role and be upfront with parents and let them know exactly what contingency plans are in place to ensure the Centres remain operational.
The Government has not offered any reassurance to Australian families since A... »