Prime Minister out of touch with supermarket prices: Littleproud
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud has hit back at the Prime Minister’s claims that “we are not a Soviet country” amid calls for divestiture powers to bring supermarkets into line ... Mr Littleproud said the Government was obviously never serious about cracking down on supermarket price gouging and was out of touch with Australians doing it tough.
Cairns Group Farm Leaders seek pathway forward on agricultural trade reform at MC13: NFF
The Cairns Group Farm Leaders (Farm Leaders) have reaffirmed their commitment to agricultural trade reform and reinforced the importance of a rules-based trading system at their meeting this month, ahead of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Thirteenth Ministerial Conference (MC13). Chair of the Farm Leaders and NFF (Australia) President, David Jochinke, has stressed the importance for MC13 to make much needed progress on key areas of reform such as domestic support, tariff...
Narrandera Rodeo draws crowds from across Australia
The 67th Narrandera Rodeo on Saturday attracted competitors and visitors from all over Australia ... A wide range of activities was available for competitors to participate in, including all the usual favourites of Bull Rides...
Friends of the Chef series: Kangaroo Island’s living restaurant (The Enchanted Fig Tree) to host guest chefs
Kate Holland. Being a chef means juggling a multitude of demands. So, is inviting a fellow foodie into the kitchen to interpret your menu an act of generosity or insanity? Alana Brabin, head chef at Kangaroos Island’s majestic dining venue The Enchanted Fig Tree, is all for it ... Sarah Turner (Chef of the Year 2007) and Rocky Oliver (Pirate Life) will enter the fig tree fold on Sunday February 25 and Saturday March 23 respectively.
Empowerment requires leadership facilitation – not the abrogation of responsibility
I always picture the empowerment process as a bit like teaching someone to drive (or a farmer teaching a working dog). Initially you are very direct, controlling, and provide clear and implicit rules for what you want the learner driver to obey and do. Then as their capability and confidence improves, you relax some of the rules, and allow them to make their own decisions ...
Origin Energy acquires interest in Walcha Energy from Energy Estate
Walcha Energy, a partnership between Australian renewable energy developers Energy Estate and Mirus Wind to develop wind, solar and storage projects in the New England region of New South Wales, has been acquired by Origin Energy.
Albo’s backpacker visa changes devastating for regional WA: Love, Kingston
The Opposition has lashed the Federal Government’s proposed changes to the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program which will come at a cost to regional tourism businesses and the agricultural industry. Leader Shane Love MLA said the proposed changes would significantly reduce the amount of time backpackers could spend in Australia ... and had removed incentives to encourage regional work.
Keen interest at Pacific Seeds field days
Pacific Seeds popular field days are being held this week at Foundation Farm Allora. Sessions have been packed with interested farmers, suppliers and agronomists finding out the latest research findings, technologies and planting methods.
News from Kaniva & Serviceton Shared Ministry
Diane Eastwood. The Shared Ministry agreement between the Church of Christ and Uniting Church has been running for 25 years and was established to help fund a Minister who would be responsible for the congregations at Kaniva and Serviceton, whilst still retaining their own identity, buildings and control of financial matters. One of the findings from the review focused on the fact that our congregations in both towns are made up of a number of people from denominations other than C of C and UCA ...
Western Ag defib project continues to support rural communities
Chris Drew. Western Ag continued their Supporting Communities Campaign through 2023 and are pushing on in 2024, equipping more regional communities with potentially life-saving automated external defibrillators (AED). The campaign, supported by Nufarm Australia, began in 2022 and at the end of 2023 had put 15 defibrillators into rural communities. The project has started strong this year, with a further 14 defibs donated to Wimmera Southern Mallee Development...
Scintillating qualifiers off the richter at Grafton
The Grafton Greyhound Racing Club hosted a 12-race program ... with the running of The Clarence heats over 660m taking centre stage on the night as trainers looked to qualify their talented stayers for the $25000 final this weekend. Trained on the Central Coast by Gary Stewart, Off The Richter began only fairly from box 1...
Bishop’s Lodge Historic House – a facelift for a grand old dame
The grand old dame of South Hay, Bishop’s Lodge Historic House, is receiving a face-lift ... Work carried out over the past weeks include repairs to cracked plaster in the dining and drawing rooms and chapel, render to large parts of walls and general paintwork on windows.
Victorians pay price for failure of power supplies
Widespread power blackouts affecting thousands of households and businesses across Victoria again highlight the vulnerability of the state’s energy supplies under the State Government. “Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio has been repeatedly warned about outages yet has sat idle. We have now seen the consequences of Labor’s incompetence and Victorians are paying the price as they go without power,” said Member for Southern Metropolitan Region, David Davis.
Govt must support blackout affected businesses
“The State Government must provide financial assistance to thousands of Victorian businesses impacted by mass power outages,” writes the Opposition ... Half-a-million homes and businesses suffered power outages on Tuesday and thousands are still waiting to have their power restored.
Invasive weed could be turned into a viable economic crop: UniSA
One of the most invasive Australian weeds is being touted as a potential economic crop, with benefits for the construction, mining and forestry industries, and potentially many First Nations communities. The prickly paddy melon weed, which costs the agricultural industry around $100 million a year in lost grain yields, cattle deaths, and control measures, could turn into an unlikely money spinner...
Latrobe Valley’s future in hydrogen
Hydrogen and the potential of Gippsland and its industries to play a role in the hydrogen technologies seen as crucial for the energy transition are set for a higher profile in the region, with Federation University in Churchill the focal point ... “The aim was to bring these players to one platform... ": Professor Surbhi Sharma.
Utes the end of an era
This week I thought I would join the lack of EV charging stations across regional WA together with the Australian government's adoption of the strict new Euro 6d emissions standards and give you my views on what this is likely to mean politically and its potential to redefine Australia.
Rural healthcare hubs funded
Six communities across Buloke, Loddon and Gannawarra Shires will soon have new Healthcare Hubs to complement existing GP services, with nurse practitioner and allied health services much closer to home. The first four Hubs will be located in the communities of Kerang, Quambatook, Pyramid Hill and Boort.
Antique Fair sites booked out – 3,500 visitors expected
The Maldon footy ground is looking good and green, all 125 stallholder sites are booked out, good weather for the weekend was booked in advance, and around 3,500 visitors are eager to experience a warm Maldon welcome. Gates open to the public from 8am tomorrow (Saturday) to around 2pm Sunday for this weekend’s mighty Maldon Antique Fair.
Bakery closure
After serving the community for more than three generations, Naracoorte’s very popular Morris Bakery has shut its doors after losing about $300,000 in alleged theft. The bakery closed its doors on February 5, leaving the community devastated, with many lamenting the loss of a good old business.
Who’s getting the Twelve Apostles?: McArthur
Questions have been raised about the future ownership of 32 hectares of Twelve Apostles land at the centre of the Labor Government’s compulsory acquisition campaign. Despite the current owners being willing and able to develop and privately fund a magnificent visitor centre, the state government is proceeding with its plan to waste at least $108 million of taxpayers’ money on a publicly funded precinct.
Rod run faces accommodation challenge
The shortage of lodging options in Narrandera has presented a challenge for the Earlies Rod Run committee, with attendees facing difficulties in securing lodging. With only one hotel, a handful of motels, and a few powered campsites, the lack of accommodation is not a new issue for Narrandera.
