Labor must push back on Trump’s new tariffs: Canavan
Leader of The Nationals Matt Canavan said Labor must fight the Trump Administration’s proposed new 12.5 per cent tariffs. Senator Canavan said the Trump Administration’s proposed tariffs on Australian goods are unjustified and a clear breach of the Free Trade Agreement Australia has with the US.
McNamaras make their mark
Blake Lee. Justin McNamara never thought he'd own a pub. On Saturday, he and his husband Jayden will reopen the Watchem Hotel after a three-year closure ... the venue will launch as the first-ever permanent Driver Reviver site.
Hospital row impacts on ambo wait times
Towong Council mayor, Cr Peter Tolsher, has cited ramping at the Albury hospital as a major factor in unacceptable ambulance wait times in the municipality. "It was disappointing - but certainly not surprising - to read the latest performance data released by Ambulance Victoria that shows Towong Shire remains at the bottom of the list for ambulance wait times in Victoria," Cr Tolsher said.
Eric’s a winner as Carp to Croc wraps up
The Australian Reptile Park's crocodiles and alligators were the big winners as Central Coast Council's 2026 Carp to Croc fishing event wrapped up recently. The community came together to help tackle one of Australia's most damaging invasive species.
New GM no stranger to local arts scene
Patricia Gill. Denmark Arts' new general manager Annette Drenth has worked with the organisation for the past eight months in a ‘passion project' as a mentor ... "I have also engaged with Denmark Arts and its programs for more than two decades, as a visitor regularly holidaying in Denmark with my small family," Annette said.
Safe hands in tough times for the arts
Patricia Gill. Abbie Pedersen hands over the directorship of Denmark Arts to Annette Drenth confident in the future of the organisation.
Wage decision hits hard: NSW Farmers
NSW Farmers says today's Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review decision will place significant additional pressure on farm employers, with some horticulture operations facing the full 6 per cent increase to their wages bill.
How much water and power will AI data centres use in Australia? Ironically, we don’t have the data to know
Michael Vardon. Australia’s data centre rush now rivals the mining boom. OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman last week said Australia could become a “data centre capital of the world”. This would come at an environmental cost ... Before committing fully, we need granular detail on how much water and energy these centres use.
New research finds sugar gliders, not forestry, are killing off swift parrots: Timber Towns Victoria
A peer-reviewed study concludes that predation by an introduced species is the primary driver of swift parrot decline, and that conservation strategy needs to catch up with that reality. TTV ... says a new peer-reviewed study vindicates what the forestry sector has long argued: that native forest harvesting is not the primary cause of swift parrot decline…
New scientific review confirms native forestry can deliver wood, biodiversity and environmental outcomes: FWCA
Forest and Wood Communities Australia has welcomed the publication of a major peer-reviewed scientific review that concludes Australia's native forests can be sustainably managed for timber production while protecting biodiversity, carbon values, water resources and other environmental outcomes.
Comrades, the roadmap is nearly complete
Nearly two years after the live export ban became law, farmers have been making decisions while the transition industry is still planning the transition. That simple fact tells you almost everything you need to know about the live sheep transition.
Export success hides domestic pain for growers – food security needs action: QFVG
Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) is warning against complacency on Australia's food security following the release of the ABARES June 2026 Agricultural Commodities Report, which shows export growth is increasingly obscuring challenges facing domestic fruit and vegetable production.
Kevin’s lasting legacy of care
Sebastian Calderon. Riverland families are set to farewell one of the region's longest-serving doctors, who is retiring after almost 38 years of caring and supporting local patients ... Dr Kevin Stanton said being a true country GP meant far more than clinic consultations, with doctors heavily involved in hospital care, emergency treatment and palliative support throughout the region.
Power bill fear for single mum
For Naracoorte single mother Michaela Dalton, every power bill brings the same fear - that one day she won't be able to keep the lights on for her daughter. With bills piling up and electricity prices set to rise, the 24-year-old says she feels like she's drowning.
Nhill community raises $4,319 for Cancer Council
The Nhill and district community has raised $4,319 for the Cancer Council through four days of fundraising organised by the Nhill Cancer Group. The group thanked everyone who supported the effort, which included a raffle, donations and the sale of Cancer Council merchandise at Nhill IGA over three days.
Where to for regional migration? Peter van Vliet, Migration Institute of Australia
A week after the May Federal Budget, the Government published changes to the visa category allocations ... Most surprising in the subsequent announcement was the decision to more than halve a skilled migration program reserved exclusively for regional areas from 33,000 to 14,110.
Growing mineral sands and protecting our farms: D’Ambrosio
Labor is strengthening mine rehabilitation requirements for agricultural land in the Wimmera Mallee. Minister D’Ambrosio today announced the formation of the Mineral Sands Agricultural Land Restoration Working Group, bringing together farmers, experts and the resources sector to provide advice on land restoration.
$1.6 billion Nolans Project declared NT’s first Significant Project: Finocchiaro
The nation-building Arafura Rare Earths Nolans Project has been declared the first Significant Project under the Territory Coordinator Act, supporting the coordinated delivery of the $1.6 billion development. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the project highlighted the critical role the Northern Territory is playing in supporting Australia's economy and national security.
World Press Photo
The Art Gallery of Ballarat brings World Press Photo to regional Victoria for the first time this August. Each year, the contest highlights the outstanding work of photojournalists and documentary photographers from across the globe.
Retirees on the River to boost Echuca Moama’s shoulder season
A new and exciting tourism initiative, Retirees on the River – Seniors' Celebrations Echuca Moama, will bring a vibrant 12-day program of offers and activities to the Echuca Moama region from Monday 7 to Friday 18 September 2026.
VFF UDV statement in response to opening milk prices
Bernie Free. "We’re extremely disappointed with initial opening milk prices at a time when dairy farmers are facing skyrocketing on-farm costs. We must see this price stepped up in the coming weeks to ensure the viability of dairy farmers and processors in these turbulent times."
Agriculture production set to ease amid drier outlook: ABARES
Following a record year in 2025-26, ABARES is forecasting the value of agricultural production to fall by 5 per cent to $98.3 billion in 2026-27, ($104.5 billion when fisheries and forestry are included). Agricultural export value is expected to fall, down $7 billion to $74.8 billion in 2026–?27 ($79.3 billion including fisheries and forestry exports).
