In the News
VICTORIAN BUSH FIRE APPEAL 2009
My thoughts this week are with the people of Victoria as they come to grips with the devastation of the weekend's bush fire disaster, the full extent of which is not yet fully known.
I am sure that you would have seen the terrible images of destruction over the past days and I urge all members of our community to do what they can to help those who have been devastated by these fires.
The Red Cross has issued a call for blood donations to assist burns victims as well as establishing the Victorian Bush Fire Appeal 2009.
Donations can be made by phoning 1800 811 700 or by visiting: www.redcross.org.au
For further information please refer to the State Government of Victoria Website.
I thank the many men and women involved in the fire fighting effort and those people providing invaluable support services in the region.
The Rudd Labor Government’s $42 Billion stimulus package is a panicked short sighted response to the Global Financial Crisis.
Almost all economists agree that the economic crisis has a long way to go. In
seeking to urgently borrow 42 billion and spend it immediately, on low
quality measures, the Government appears to be panicking, firing all
our ammunition off at once.
This
latest package follows the failure of the first stimulus package of
$10.4 billion (some 1 per cent of GDP) which by all reports was saved
and not spent in spite of Mr Rudd’s urgings to “spend, spend, spend”.
Appropriation Bill (No. 3) (No.4) 2008-2009
Debate cut off by Mr Rudd:
This was one of 30 speeches cut off by the Rudd Labor Government in an attempt to limit debate and discussion on Labor’s package to plunge Australia into debt and deficit
The global financial crisis we are told by the Treasurer is the biggest crisis since the Depression. As an Opposition we take that very seriously and I take that very seriously as an elected representative of the Australian people.
Appropriation Bill (No. 3) (No.4) 2008-2009
Debate cut off by Mr Rudd:
This was one of 30 speeches cut off by the Rudd Labor Government in an attempt to limit debate and discussion on Labor’s package to plunge Australia into debt and deficit
The global financial crisis we are told by the Treasurer is the biggest crisis since the Depression. As an Opposition we take that very seriously and I take that very seriously as an elected representative of the Australian people.
Australia Day is our nation’s biggest celebration and it was terrific to join with the Mitchell community to celebrate all the great things about Australia. We truly are “the lucky country” and it was fantastic to see great numbers of our local community, family and friends out in celebration.
This year there were calls from some to move Australia Day to a more “appropriate” date. I strongly reject this proposition.