Rabobank commentary: food price inflation remains entrenched above three per cent
While headline annual inflation rose sharply in the March 2026 Consumer Price Index (CPI), the re-acceleration in inflation was not, at this point, food led, with food price inflation remaining similar to levels recorded since mid-2025.
Students gain insight into engineering careers
Regional high school students have been given a hands-on look at the future of engineering, with a long-running Riverina program continuing to be a potential pathway to careers in the field ... Working in teams, they tackled problem-solving, applied engineering theory and gained first-hand insight into industry practices to construct a fully functional bridge...
Epic Fury and Ukrainian farmers: Who will win?
Since the beginning of Operation Epic Fury in the Persian Gulf, the price of diesel fuel and gas for cars in Ukraine has increased by almost 30 per cent. The price of the cheapest gasoline has risen by almost 15 per cent ... What do farmers do? What is the Ukrainian government doing?
Farmland prices set for continued “modest” growth in year ahead – Rabobank
Australian farmland prices are expected to grow modestly in 2026, continuing the trend seen over the past year, Rabobank says in its latest annual Australian Farmland Price Outlook. The report, by the specialist agribusiness bank’s RaboResearch division, says the outlook for agricultural land prices in 2026 points to "moderated" growth, with the median price per hectare set to increase by approximately two per cent in its "base case" forecast.
High-tech network supports early bushfire responses: Picton, Scriven
A ground-breaking artificial intelligence (AI) system has detected almost 90 unplanned fires since it was rolled out across more than a million hectares in South Australia, helping firefighters coordinate earlier bushfire responses.
Gas exploration safeguards questioned: NSW Farmers Association
The state’s peak farming organisation has called on the NSW Government to answer urgent questions about how it will protect groundwater, farm biosecurity, and landholders as it promotes new gas exploration. NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said farmers recognised the need for reliable energy but warned hasty exploration without strong safeguards could create unmanageable risks for rural and remote communities.
Upcoming webinar – What’s it take to develop offshore wind in Australia? Blue Economy CRC
This webinar will present the findings of the project ‘Pre-conditions for the Development of Offshore Wind Energy in Australia’ in three work packages, outlining what it takes to build an offshore wind industry in Australia ... Monday 4 May 2026, 3-4pm (AEST)
Delivering free GP appointments for Northern Tasmania: Archer
The Tasmanian Government is delivering more bulk-billed healthcare services for Tasmanians, with the first TassieDoc clinic announced ... The Deloraine and Westbury Medical Centres will boost access to bulk-billing appointments, following a comprehensive Expression of Interest (EOI) process.
Seven Cities to drive next wave of regional economic development: Cook, Dawson
The Cook Labor Government has today launched its Seven Cities vision for regional Western Australia - a long-term plan to unlock the next wave of regional economic development and deliver quality infrastructure and services throughout the State.
Territory positions itself at centre of national defence push: Finocchiaro
The Finocchiaro CLP Government has launched the Northern Territory Defence Strategy 2026 as Defence Week begins in Darwin.. Announced today during a keynote address at the Northern Australia Defence Summit, Chief Minister and Minister for Defence NT Lia Finocchiaro outlined the five key priorities: Maritime sustainment, Army’s Littoral Pivot, Northern Theatre Logistics, Northern Basing and Ranges and Innovation, Test and Evaluation.
Queensland Dinosaur Week 2026 roars into Hughenden and Flinders Shire
Queensland Dinosaur Week 2026 (4-10 May) will shine a spotlight on Hughenden and the Flinders Shire, celebrating the region’s extraordinary dinosaur heritage and its proud place in Australia’s palaeontological history. As the home of Queensland’s fossil emblem, the Muttaburrasaurus, Hughenden holds a special connection to one of Australia’s most iconic dinosaurs.
Banks must dump Environmental, Social and Governance ‘woke’ agenda for coal, gas and oil: McDonald, Canavan, Hogan
The Nationals are calling for a major shakeup of Australian banks, following revelations that energy-lending policies have been destroying investment in coal, gas and oil. Leader of The Nationals Matt Canavan said The Nats had written to the four major banks, expressing concern that a businessman was denied even a bank account after he tried to build a diesel refinery in Gladstone.
Millie, the BreastScreenNT bus to complete final tour in 2026: NT Health
From the main drag to the desert, our iconic BreastScreenNT bus, Millie, has spent more than 10 years providing dedicated service to thousands of adoring fans across the Territory. In 2026, Millie will take her final tour...
When ideology meets the fuel tank
In the 1930s, Winston Churchill warned that Europe was sleepwalking into danger. Across the chamber, Neville Chamberlain insisted all would be well. “Peace in our time,” he said—a comforting line, right up until Hitler crossed into Poland. We are seeing a modern version of that same delusion play out today.
ANZAC Special, plus we get the debrief on Buddy suiting up for Dowerin with Tracy Jones!
A great ANZAC show today! We caught up with Tracy Jones from the Dowerin Footy Club for a full debrief after Buddy Franklin pulled on the boots for the Tigers! Plus your rural news (fuel and fertiliser update) with Fiona L Fox from ARR.News...
ANZAC Day a good time to gauge Middle East crisis
Remembering people on Anzac Day who gave their lives defending their country is a noble custom in Australia. But the situation in the Middle East urges us to broaden our take on armed conflict ... Because the USA is providing arms that Israel is using to attack Iran, Iran is attacking American military bases in countries that host them. We are one of them: Pine Gap, 19km from Alice Springs...
Work begins at Fingerboards demo pit following mobilisation by local contractors: Gippsland Critical Minerals
Work has begun at the Fingerboards Project Mining and Rehabilitation Demonstration Pit, following local contractors successfully completing site mobilisation and pre-start inspections. Six additional East Gippsland businesses have now been engaged to support activities at the MRDP, with more than 20 local contractors sharing in procurement contracts now valued at more than $1.4m.
Groundswell against the mine: Mine Free Glenaladale
At the recent East Gippsland Field Days the many hundreds of people spoken to and attending the Mine Free Glenaladale stand expressed their frustration that the Government had given the former Kalbar Resources, now rebranded as Gippsland Critical Minerals, the opportunity to rescope the failed Kalbar project ... Mine Free Glenaladale also questions the authenticity of GCM claims relating to the test pit.
I don’t sleep I just dream: unrefined in high definition
Lismore Regional Gallery presents a major exhibition by acclaimed Australian artist Marian Tubbs, bringing together a dynamic body of work that interrogates the intersections of digital culture, materiality and ecological thought, from 8 May until 9 August 2026.
Rockynats 06 champions crowned
As the last of the smoke drifted from the Buddy’s Fire Burnout pad, the lights on Quay Street’s drag strip flicked green one final time, and cars were carefully loaded onto trailers, the curtain officially closed on a record-breaking Rare Spares and Repco Rockynats 06, which saw a staggering 65,000 people through the gates across the weekend.
You cannot have winning without being challenged
Winning isn’t a destination—it’s a process, where real progress and success come from embracing challenge and continuous improvement.
Big hooves, big hearts: Braidwood’s heavy horses are back
The Braidwood & District Heavy Horse Show 2026 is back into town, and this year it’s bringing more horsepower than ever. The Alma Cup with a cash prize of $1000 courtesy of the Community Bank Braidwood is sure to be hotly contested.

