The Madigan Report
December 1, 2011
Welcome
On the 1st of July this year I was
privileged to be sworn in as the first
DLP Senator for Victoria in 37 years. So
in my first speech delivered on the 25th
of August it was apt to mention that it
has been a long time between drinks
for the DLP.
Over the past six months I have had
the privilege to meet and engage with
many people from all walks of life
about various issues that raise their
concern. Some we have been able to
help resolve and some are still being
worked on in the hope of a
satisfactory outcome.
Currently, families, farmers and small
businesses are doing it tough with
little or no immediate turn around in
sight. My role with the special senate
committees has seen me travel around
Australia.
The states I have visited on official
Senate business include all of Victoria,
and many parts of New South Wales,
Queensland, The ACT, and Western
Australia. Plans to visit Tasmania and
the Northern Territory are in the
pipeline.
Districts where we have held meetings
include Warrnambool, Latrobe Valley,
Goulburn Valley, Geelong and
Melbourne. I welcome you to this the
first issue of the Madigan Report and
trust you will get something out of the
articles and photographs whilst
enjoying the latest updates of Federal
Legislation and issues under discussion
and up for debate.
May I wish you a Merry Christmas and
Happy 2012!
Defending Australia’s
Defence Manufacturing
On Monday 26th of October I was
fortunate to have been invited to visit
the Thales Production Plant where
Victorian jobs are created to produce
the Bushmaster Protected Mobility
Vehicle (PMV). The Bushmaster is a
world leader in troop protection in the
battlefield, with state of the art
engineering allowing for safer and
more comfortable transportation of
soldiers on the battlefield.
The Production Plant is a source of
pride for those from Bendigo and for
those in the armed forces who use
these highly esteemed vehicles.
The Bushmasters are made up of iron
ore which has been mined in Pilbara
(WA). The cocking coal from the
Hunter region (NSW) is later forged in
Port Kembla (NSW) only to be cut to
precise dimensions in Melbourne to be
transported by road to Bendigo. This
undoubtedly makes the Bushmaster a
great modern day Australian
manufacturing success story.
Steam Burgers and
Sausages the flavour of
the month!
At the recent Lake Goldsmith Steam
Rally, I decided that it was all hands on
deck to feed the crowd of Steam
Enthusiasts, being an enthusiast
myself I could relate to the hours of
preparation
and travel these people put in to make
sure the Rally was a success and a
great nostalgic experience for the
public. We should always treasure the
machinery from the past that carried
such a heavy work load to allow
today’s prosperity.
Also pictured above is a couple of local
Warrnambool identities at the show
with an engine they had trouble
starting. With a bit of assistance from
Mark Farrell and I, we fired the motor,
a mad scramble to fill the water tank,
and away she went, a blast from the
past!
Electorate Office: 17 Albert St, Ballarat, 3350
Website: www.johnmadigan.com.au
Phone: 03 5331 2321.
Fax: 03 5331 2476.
Email: senator.madigan@aph.gov.au
“Wool” always the
ultimate material for
Australian apparel
Since commenting on the insiders
program about buying an Australian
made woollen jumper and the benefits
to the buyer, economy and the
industry I have visited several spring
shows with interest and have had
much feedback from those involved in
the industry.
In particular Hamilton Sheep Vention,
the expansion of the Bendigo Sheep
Show and the ever popular Melbourne
Royal Show provided an insight into
the fashionable breeds now on
display.
Continued support for both meat and
wool breeds is critical for the Rural
Economy as it rebounds from over ten
years of drought. I intend to
encourage this with ongoing support
wherever possible to maintain
Australia’s standing as a leading wool
producer to the world.
SECV Privatisation in the
Latrobe Valley fails to
measure up
Recently I attended meetings with
residents of the Latrobe Valley in Moe,
Morwell and Traralgon.
They expressed extreme concern over
the affect of the Carbon Tax and the
closure of Hazelwood power stations
and the loss of some 4000 jobs.
They did not want a repeat of what
happened in the nineties when power
stations were first privatised and the
loss of jobs and the resulting adverse
consequences that hit home very
hard.
Following these discussions I raised
the concern through a motion in the
Senate to re‐commission the SECV
(State Electricity Commission of
Victoria) and build an additional power
station at Driffield. This motion was
also put to the local council. The
Government at both state and federal
levels have yet to provide a solution,
and ongoing protests are expected
until such time as a plan can be agreed
and implemented. It is an issue we are
determined to follow through to the
end.
Queen Elizabeth and
President Obama visit
Canberra
It has been a busy schedule for visiting
dignitaries to Australia’s capital
Canberra. So far my wife Teresa and I
have been to an evening reception at
Parliament House for Queen Elizabeth
and Prince Phillip. I have had a
Reception Dinner with US President
Barrack Obama again at Parliament
House and we have on schedule a
luncheon for two with Princess Mary
and Prince Frederick and family of
Denmark coming up at Parliament
House in Canberra as well.
The Great Hall has certainly been close
to its full capacity
over the past two months from
October to November and the loyal
Australian public has been out in force
to greet the various ide
ntities.
Elmore Field Days still
going Strong
Australian Manufacturers were on
display in force at this year’s Elmore
field days.
It was evident as we drove up that the
crowd would be good and also the
weather. We met the welcoming
committee at the main gate and were
shown the amenities and then had a
talk about ways to lift the Australian
Made content on show.
Munro engineering from Ballarat were
demonstrating their latest hydraulic
post rammer. We inspected many
types of grain augers and tractors.
Water transfer pumps and irrigation
equipment was popular as well as
animal health equipment and
Australian clothing.
There was everything from insulated
dog kennels, air conditioners, portable
lunch ovens and the latest in portable
stock yards, power washers and
sprayers and electric fencing.
An abundance of tools on display,
Isuzu Utes, Holden Cars and the latest
in diggers, ploughs and seeders. A very
informative day and a regular marked
down on the calendar to attend.
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