Taking note of answers - immigration budget

Senator KROGER (Victoria—Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate) (15:16):  I too rise to take note of questions to Senator Wong. While Senator Marshall, I hope, remains in the chamber could I point out to him that some four out of five questions were directed to Senator Wong today in relation to various aspects of the budget and not just in... Read more >

Adjournment - Chisholm needs a change

Senator KROGER (Victoria—Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate) (20:49): I rise tonight to express my frustration and—I have to say it—dismay at how out of touch this Labor government is with the lives of all Australians. As a Victorian senator I speak in particular of Victorians. Every day my electorate office is contacted by p... Read more >

National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2013

Senator KROGER (Victoria—Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate) (10:40): I too rise to make some brief observations on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2013. I note that in the second reading speech of the shadow minister, Mitch Fifield, he outlined in essence the two principal purposes of this bill. I will not speak to the constru... Read more >

Foreign Minister fiddles with the facts on aid funding

MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST - MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS Senator KROGER (Victoria—Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate) (13:01): I rise today to raise a matter of deep concern to me. It is a matter of critical interest to the coalition and, I would think, to all Australians who follow the management of the Foreign Affairs portfolio and, in p... Read more >

Strengthening ties between Serbia and Australia

Senator KROGER (Victoria—Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate) (20:33): A couple of days before Christmas I got a phone call from a very distinguished and senior member of the Bosnian community in Victoria, a gentleman by the name of John Bosnich, who was trying to persuade me to participate in a personally organised trip to Serbia—a pla... Read more >

Gillard Government's heartless cuts to Victorian health funding

Senator KROGER (Victoria—Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate) (19:21): I rise tonight to raise serious concerns faced by many in Australia and, I suggest, all Victorians. We know that the Australian public has wised up to a couple of things about the Labor government. One is that its answer to every public policy challenge seems to be to thro... Read more >

The Gillard Government's missed opportunity for real school education reform

MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE - EDUCATION Senator KROGER (Victoria—Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate) (16:14): May I firstly applaud the tone of Senator Marshall's address, given that Senator Wright before him commented and deliberated on the parlous state of the debate on this particular matter of public importance. I thought that was quit... Read more >

Crimes Legislation Amendment (Slavery, Slavery-like Conditions and People Trafficking) Bill 2012

Senator KROGER (Victoria—Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate) (10:44): I rise too, with an enduring concern and interest to protect women from the most abhorrent crimes, as Senator Hanson-Young has referred to, to speak on the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Slavery, Slavery-like Conditions and People Trafficking) Bill 2012. As my colleague Sen... Read more >

The importance of remembering Australians on Australia Day

Senator KROGER (Victoria—Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate) (20:32): The Christmas and New Year period is traditionally a time to share with family, friends and loved ones. It is a time to pause and reflect on a hectic year, to take stock, to recharge the batteries and to give thanks. It is also a time to give back to the community and reme... Read more >

Clean Energy Amendment (International Emissions Trading and Other Measures) Bill 2012 and related bills

Senator KROGER (Victoria—Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate) (20:29): I too rise to speak on the Clean Energy Amendment (International Emissions Trading and Other Measures) Bill 2012 and the six related bills. Before I proceed, I would like to associate my remarks with Senator Nash's remarks. I am sure that there was no pun intended when... Read more >