Latest news with #UpperHouse
West Australian
2 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Newly re-elected Liberal MLC to retain focus on region
Newly re-elected MLC Neil Thomson says the new Upper House structure which sees the Labor State Government without a majority will benefit regional communities such as the Goldfields. The State Government this week agreed to send its new firearms laws to a parliamentary committee to look at how it was implemented. This followed concern being expressed by regional people, including those in the Goldfields, who rely on guns as part of their everyday work. Mr Thomson said the decision was a 'very important signal' to the community that the Opposition would still be able to achieve things for the regions, despite not being in government. 'That was a promise we took to the election because we knew that so many firearms owners out there in the Goldfields were really frustrated about the massive red tape that's been imposed upon them by these poorly thought through laws . . . which needlessly tie good people down in red tape,' he said. 'I think that is a very exciting change for the people of WA that now here we go, notwithstanding the Upper House changes, we now have democracy being exercised and that the authority of Parliament can start to impose itself upon some of these reckless decisions made by the WA Labor Cabinet.' Despite changes to the Upper House seeing regional electorates abolished in favour of one Statewide electorate, Mr Thomson said he would continue to be a voice for the Goldfields, having served as a member for the Mining and Pastoral region during his previous term. 'There's that benefit as so far as you're representing the whole State, but that is far outweighed by the loss to the specific representation by the Upper House in those distinct regions,' he said. 'Ultimately, we will work with the system we have and I will continue to be very strong on the regional issues, and particularly . . . providing that counter to the Government's position out of the Goldfields, out of Kalgoorlie, and obviously the Kimberley and the Pilbara in particular, and down for the Gascoyne region as well.' Mr Thomson now serves as the shadow minister for planning and land, Aboriginal affairs and seniors, all of which he said would see him continue to work closely for the Goldfields region. He said his office would also remain in Kalgoorlie-Boulder despite him relocating from Broome to Carnarvon, and he encouraged the community to get in touch with any issues or concerns. He said antisocial behaviour, crime rates, power reliability and issues with the nickel industry would continue to be major issues going forward which would have his attention on behalf of the community.
ABC News
2 days ago
- General
- ABC News
One Nation picks up surprise spot in NSW senate
One Nation's Warwick Stacey has been elected as the sixth senator in New South Wales, taking the party's seats in the upper house to four.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CPI seeks support of political parties for impeachment proceedings against Justice Varma
NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (CPI) MP and Leader of the party in the Upper House, P Sandosh Kumar has written to the presidents of all political parties demanding their support in initiating impeachment proceedings against former Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Varma, following the shocking reports of unaccounted hoards of cash allegedly recovered from his residence. In his letter, Sandosh Kumar stated that 'if proven true, these allegations are not only a gross betrayal of public trust but also a serious affront to the integrity of our judicial institutions.' Kumar urged all political parties to rise above partisanship and take constitutional responsibility to safeguard the credibility of India's judiciary. The Centre is weighing the option of bringing in Parliament an impeachment motion against Justice Varma, who has been indicted by a Supreme Court-appointed probe panel after the discovery of a huge sum of burnt cash from his official residence in the national capital.
West Australian
6 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Mid West representatives sworn into Legislative Council as new Upper House begins
The Mid West's members of the Legislative Council have been sworn in to WA's Upper House, with two of them taking their seats for the first time. Nationals pair Julie Freeman and Rob Horstman, from Mullewa and Northampton respectively, were voted in after the party earned two seats in the Legislative Council. After initially waiting 39 days for their political fates to be confirmed, the pair were officially sworn in as MPs on Thursday. Their election to Parliament marks the first time either of them has been elected at the State level. Speaking to the Geraldton Guardian earlier this year, Ms Freeman said her living in Mullewa led to her path to politics, saying the area has been neglected for years. She said the condition of Geraldton-Mt Magnet Road was 'disgraceful', saying it was one of a number of forgotten projects. 'That would never be allowed to happen in an urban area, can you imagine a road being left in that condition in Geraldton? Never mind Perth,' she said. 'The hospital redevelopment in Mullewa which was all going ahead in 2017, we are still waiting in 2025. 'We are out of sight, out of mind, and completely forgotten.' Mr Horstman's drive came through volunteering during cyclone Seroja, where he said strong leadership was needed when the Government wasn't doing enough to assist. He said he was humbled to earn a spot in Parliament. 'I see my role as being one of fostering a government that truly represents all Western Australians, regardless of where they live,' he said. 'While I am deeply committed to advocating for the unique needs and interests of our rural and regional communities I am also conscious that I represent constituents all over Western Australia and I will certainly have this in mind when I take the floor of Parliament.' Meanwhile, earning a second term was Labor's Sandra Carr, who in 2021 was elected as a member for the Agricultural Region. After the Upper House changed to encompass the whole State rather than specific areas, Ms Carr was re-elected after being 14th on her party's ticket. She said last week she was keen on stepping up for Geraldton, after Labor lost its Lower House representative in Lara Dalton. 'I have predominantly kept a very light touch in Geraldton because that was (Ms Dalton's) domain, and that means that I will be working a lot harder in this region as well, which is a challenge that I am up for and really looking forward to stepping into,' she said.
Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Japan pledges immediate rice relief for consumers to prevent shift to foreign brands
The government has been releasing some of its stockpiled rice since March but that has yet to translate to lower supermarket prices. PHOTO: AFP Japan pledges immediate rice relief for consumers to prevent shift to foreign brands TOKYO - Japan's new agriculture minister pledged on May 23 to quickly move rice from government stockpiles to store shelves where they would be offered at prices significantly lower than current levels, seeking to stem a consumer shift to cheaper, foreign brands. Soaring rice prices, due in part to crop damage from extreme heat and additional demand from a boom in tourism, have become a major concern for Japanese consumers as well as the government with Upper House elections set for July. The government has been releasing some of its stockpiled rice since March but that has yet to translate to lower supermarket prices. "The abnormal surge in prices that we're seeing now could accelerate the shift away from domestically produced rice in Japan," Mr Shinjiro Koizumi told a press conference. "We're already seeing supermarkets buying directly from the United States despite having to pay tariffs... We have to quash this abnormal situation and speed is of the essence." Japan has historically been reluctant to encourage imports of rice, seeking self-sufficiency for its most basic food and putting up high tariffs to protect local farmers from competition. Mr Koizumi, the son of former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, took up his post just two days ago. His predecessor, Mr Taku Eto, was forced to resign after angering voters by saying he had never had to buy rice thanks to gifts from supporters. Mr Koizumi said he aimed for stockpiled rice to reach store shelves for under 3,000 yen (S$26.98) per 5 kg by early June. That compares with an average price of 4,268 yen in the seven days to May 11, double the same period a year earlier. Nationwide consumer price index (CPI) data on May 23 showed soaring rice prices accelerating overall food inflation to 7.0 per cent in April, from 6.2 per cent in March. Mr Koizumi also met with Rakuten Group CEO Hiroshi Mikitani, who said the online retail giant was prepared to support the government's efforts. Upon taking office, Mr Koizumi immediately terminated the auction method of releasing emergency-use rice and said the government would instead sell via discretionary contracts. The government first released rice from its emergency stock in March through two auctions for 210,000 metric tons, but as of late April, only about 7 per cent had reached retailers due to a complex and time-consuming processing and distribution scheme. Mr Koizumi said the ministry plans to outline a basic framework for how the new process would work next week. Questions remain over how the government would select whom to sell to and at what price. It is planning to release 100,000 tons every month through July. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
