Coercive control – what is it? NSW laws are now tougher
Coercive control is when someone repeatedly hurts, scares or isolates another person to control them. From July 1, 2024 coercive control became an offence in NSW. The criminal offence captures repeated patterns of physical or non-physical abuse used to hurt, scare, intimidate, threaten or control someone.
AFF kicks off 10th ginning season
Australian Food and Fibre's Geoff Lucas and Heidi Stephens expect this year's ginning season to break all records. The Cobb Highway cotton gin, operated by Australian Food and Fibre (AFF) has entered its tenth year of processing.
Ley set to retain seat
Despite a swing against her, and Labor winning the federal election in a landslide, Liberal Party incumbent Sussan Ley appears poised to retain the seat of Farrer. At time of publication Ms Ley held an estimated 62 per cent of the vote, ahead of first-time independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe, who is expected to capture more than 20 per cent of the vote tally.
Weight-loss drugs and our dinner plates: How they could re-shape farming
A quiet revolution is brewing in the world of food, and it's not happening in the paddocks – it's in the pharmacies. New weight-loss drugs, like the much-talked-about Ozempic, are not only helping individuals shed pounds but are also prompting experts to consider a seismic shift in our food systems, potentially even more significant than the impacts of climate change.
$210m spent on water buybacks – local entitlements sold to meet MDB targets
The Australian Government has released figures pertaining to more than $89 million water purchasing contracts for the period March 1 to April 14. Total purchases over the past six weeks total $210 million. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) Austender website lists only contract values awarded.
“Just leave.” This woman did – and the system still almost cost her life
Imagine fleeing your home in your car with a screaming, terrified two-year-old and having no idea where to drive to. Too scared to head to your parent’s house, knowing that’s too obvious, and too far away. Hiding out in the streets of your hometown ... This is the story of one woman, Sechia Darlow, who lived a reality almost too harrowing to believe.

