The final public hearing into the performance of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has heard of forged documents, inappropriate advice, lack of communication and an apology from Australia’s largest bank.
The Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams instigated the inquiry midway through last year after his frustration boiled over at not getting straight answers on ASIC’s handling of the Commonwealth Financial Planning (CFP) scandal.
Senator Williams, a member of the Senate Economics References Committee, said evidence from witnesses Jan Braund and Merilyn Swan laid bare the wrongdoings in CFP where rogue financial planners allegedly forged signatures and changed documents as they squandered peoples’ life savings.
1st April, 2014
For over a decade Australian troops have seen continuous deployments on operations overseas, often in complex, challenging and extremely dangerous environments.
Following the completion of missions in East Timor and the Solomon Islands, and the continued drawdown of forces in Afghanistan, there are fewer Australian troops serving overseas than in previous years.
During Australia’s operations in Afghanistan 40 Australian Defence Force (ADF) members have been killed and 261 have been wounded. For some of our veterans, mental and physical injuries resulting from their military service will last a lifetime.
THE SENATE
STANDING COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS
Legislation Committee
MEDIA RELEASE
Inquiry into the performance, importance and role of Australia Post in Australian communities and
its operations in relation to licensed post offices
Extension of time to report
Today, the Senate Communications and Environment Legislation Committee received an extension to
report on its inquiry into the performance, importance and role of Australia Post in Australian
communities and its operations in relation to licensed post offices. The committee will now report
on 27 August 2014.
27th March, 2014
Three groups in the Richmond electorate will receive funding under the Federal government’s Saluting their Service program.
The Nationals Duty Senator for Richmond John Williams said he has been advised by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson that just over $5,000 has been allocated to varying projects.
Senator Williams said $3,328 will be given to Murwillumbah RSL Sub-branch to assist in upgrading the Tyalgum War Memorial with a 1.2 metre high brick wall surround.
A reunion dinner to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War has attracted a grant of $1,150 for the HMAS Anzac/Tobruk Association at Tweed Heads, and the National Servicemen’s Association Tweed Valley/Murwillumbah Sub-branch will install a plaque on the Wall of Remembrance at Murwillumbah commemorating servicemen and women who served in the Boer War with its $1,157 grant.
Senator Williams said the funds allocated under Saluting their Service support local, community-based projects ranging from the restoration of wartime memorabilia to new flag poles.
He said local community and ex-service organisations interested in applying for future grant funding rounds should visit www.dva.gov.au/grants.
26th March, 2014.
The much-lauded Roads to Recovery funding program is in danger of folding because of opposition from Labor and the Greens.
The Nationals Duty Senator for Hunter John Williams said the Member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon joined his colleagues in opposing the extension of the Roads to Recovery program beyond June 30 this year.
Senator Williams said the program had been extremely valuable to councils in Hunter in the past five years.
Upper Hunter Shire had received $4.30 million, Singleton Council $2.73 million, Muswellbrook Shire $2.04 million, Cessnock City Council $3.82 million and Maitland City Council $2.84 million.
26th March, 2014
In what must be a new low for even the Member for Richmond, Labor has voted against extending the important Roads to Recovery program.
The Nationals Duty Senator for Richmond John Williams said fresh on the heels of supporting the retention of the expensive carbon tax, Justine Elliot inexplicably abandoned the councils in her electorate in an attempt to deny them funding.
Senator Williams said the Government had introduced the legislation LAND TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AMENDMENT BILL 2014 to enable the Roads to Recovery program to continue for another five years beyond June 30 this year.