The Editor

Attracting government officials, international dignitaries, visitors and community members from across Cape York and Australia, the Cooktown & Cape York Expo 2021 came to a spectacular close last night with the final performance of the Warrma and a fireworks display over the Endeavour River. The largest event in rural Queensland since the COVID-19 lockdowns, The Cooktown & Cape York Expo 2021 – which ran from 11-20 June – delivered more than 150 events, exhibitions, performances, installations, workshops, and a two-day Dynamic Business Symposium.

A sense of excitement has arrived along with the cold weather as Whyalla kicks off Cuttlefest 2021, a colourful celebration of all things cuttlefish. The Giant Australian Cuttlefish (sepia apama) swarm into rocky areas off the Whyalla coast during May, June, July and August to mate and reproduce, in the process creating a remarkable spectacle of cunning games, underwater lightshows and colourful kaleidoscopic displays.

The Shire of Ashburton is pleased to welcome PHI International to Onslow Airport. PHI International are leaders in high quality helicopter services and boast an advanced and varied fleet of helicopters that supports a range of international businesses across Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Ghana, Cyprus and Saudi Arabia.

[Agribusiness Australia] "Rather than wait for test cases to set the benchmarks, we can choose now to adopt more self-regulation and work with regulators to co-create frameworks and accountability that customers can understand and trust. This is an opportunity for Australia, as a developed, mature, food-producing and export-dependent country to differentiate from its peers and create new sustainable competitive advantage," says Mark Barber.

The 2021 Rockhampton Agricultural Show has proved to be a great success, attracting 33,000 visitors over three days last week. Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said the community has well and truly supported this year’s event. “Whilst the majority of ticket holders were from the local Rockhampton Region, it was wonderful to see outside visitors in attendance, experiencing what our community has to offer," said Mayor Williams.

[ALP] Labor welcomes the in-principle deal announced last night to progress a free-trade agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom. Trade is an important aspect of the close relationship between Australia and the UK, and we will wait to see the details of this proposed agreement.

[Government statement] A new free trade agreement with the UK will deliver more Australian jobs and business opportunities for exporters, bringing both countries closer together in a changing strategic environment. Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson have agreed on the broad outlines of an Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

[Meat & Livestock Australia] The Australian red meat industry today welcomed the announcement in London by Prime Ministers Morrison and Johnson of agreement in-principle regarding the parameters of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement. The agreement will see Australian beef and sheepmeat access to the UK liberalised over a 10 year transition period.

[NSW Farmers] Farmers in NSW will benefit from the ‘in-principle’ trade deal between Australia and one of its oldest trading partners. The proposed deal with the United Kingdom includes the introduction of Ag Visa for UK backpackers and tariff and quota free access for a range of produce grown in NSW.

[National Farmers' Federation] Australian farmers are applauding the ‘in-principle’ trade deal between Australia and the United Kingdom announced by prime ministers Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson in London overnight. The proposed deal is the first trade agreement reached by the United Kingdom following its separation from the European Union last year, and will guarantee tariff-free, quota-free access to the UK market for all agricultural products, after phase in periods of up to 15 years.