Labor must reverse its bad Export Finance Australia changes in fuel crisis: Canavan, Tehan, McDonald
The Coalition is pushing for crucial changes to ensure Labor removes restrictions on investment in oil, gas and critical resources and produces its own energy ... the Coalition will move amendments in the Senate to Labor’s Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Strategic Reserve) Bill 2026 and the Fuel Security Response Appropriates Bill during Australia’s fuel crisis.
National Fuel Security Plan, powers and fuel excise – Government announcements
Following a meeting of the National Cabinet ... the Australian Government will halve the fuel excise on petrol and diesel for three months ... is acting to shield Australia against any future fuel supply chain disruptions, by establishing new fuel security powers, enabling government to work with fuel suppliers to keep fuel flowing to Australia.
Where tourism is heading, and what it means for Lord Howe Island
Chelsea Holden. Last month the Lord Howe Island Tourism Association attended Destination Australia, a national conference examining the state and direction of Australian tourism. The conversations covered consumer behaviour, content strategy, international markets, and the long-term future of aviation.
CSBP Fertilisers GM Ryan Lamp responds regarding supply
Ryan Lamp. CSBP Fertilisers has been part of Western Australian agriculture for more than 100 years. We’ve grown alongside the farmers and communities we serve, and we value those relationships deeply. We understand how critical reliable fertiliser supply is to growers, particularly leading into seeding.
CSBP’s force majeure gamble: Contracts, conflict and consequence
As the Iran–USA–Israel conflict ripples through global fertiliser markets, Western Australian farmers are discovering just how fragile their supply chains really are. At the centre of it is CSBP, which has reached for the force majeure clause in its contracts to step away from its contractual obligations.
Enough talk, it’s time for action – Queensland growers are at breaking point: QFVG
Queensland horticulture growers have been dealing with rising input costs for years. Now, surging fuel prices, and critical input shortages are compounding those pressures, pushing farms to breaking point, threatening jobs and the state’s long-term supply of fresh fruit and vegetables.
National fuel plan must deliver results: NSW Farmers Association
NSW Farmers has welcomed a coordinated national response on fuel security and fuel supply chain resilience, but says immediate, practical action is needed to fix regional distribution failures now impacting food and fibre production – with the latest data on Friday indicating at least 178 NSW service stations out of diesel.
Profoundly unprepared – Think tank reveals dire need for a Hyper Australia: Canavan, McDonald
Australia is “critically exposed to geopolitical risk”, unless Australia can reliably produce a domestic supply of liquid fuel, The Nationals’ think tank has warned.
Current fuel crisis is a warning shot — regional war would be catastrophic, new Page Research Centre report warns
New paper says Australia’s present fuel strain is not the worst-case scenario and calls for more drilling, new diesel-focused refineries, and coal-to-liquids to restore fuel security. Australia’s current fuel crisis should not be mistaken for the worst-case scenario. That is the warning from a major new report released today by the Page Research Centre...
Farmers left wanting after National Cabinet fuel response: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says today’s National Cabinet outcomes fall short of delivering the certainty farmers need, warning that more must be done to give farmers confidence. VFF President Brett Hosking said while the Federal Government’s temporary fuel excise cut may provide some relief for consumers, it does little to address the unique and massive impacts being felt at the farm gate.
A dream becomes reality with totem poles at entrance to hospital
The six totem poles that line the driveway to the Casino & District Memorial Hospital were officially unveiled ... Hand painted by residents at Balund-a, each totem pole design represents elements of the natural world, including animals, bush foods, and water.
Being up in the air
I went to Adelaide yesterday. This is very naughty given that NT Tourism Minister Marie-Clare Boothby had just announced a strategy aiming at making more money for our travel industry ... My booking with Qantas triggered an avalanche of texts and emails...
Coalition calls for immediate halving of fuel tax as national fuel crisis deepens: Webster
The Nationals are calling on the Albanese Government to immediately halve the fuel tax for three months to provide urgent cost of living relief to Australian households and small businesses facing a deepening national fuel crisis.
NSW Government issues formal notices seeking fuel information: Sharpe
The NSW Minister for Energy has issued formal information notices to a number of liquid fuel companies, as NSW responds to fuel distribution challenges arising from the conflict in the Middle East. Last week the NSW Government sought voluntary information from major fuel companies about historical stocks and sales as well as future orders and forecasts.
Katter continues 14 years of calls for National Fuel Security via robust ethanol mandate: Robbie Katter
...the Premier stood on Labor’s position and refused to commit to taking tangible action on fuel security by implementing a robust ethanol mandate, Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader, and Member for Traeger has said. In opposition the LNP put three bills into Parliament to implement an ethanol mandate, then refused to support the KAP bill in 2014.
NSW Nationals demand fuel guarantee for regional communities and businesses: Singh
The NSW Nationals are calling on the Minns Labor Government to use its emergency powers to guarantee diesel and fuel supplies to regional NSW.
Ag Discovery Day returns to Toowoomba Royal Show
More than 640 students and teachers are taking part in Ag Discovery Day at the Toowoomba Royal Showgrounds today, giving young people a hands-on opportunity to explore the exciting world of agriculture ... Ag Discovery will welcome participants from seven primary schools for an immersive day of learning about food, fibre, farming and the many career opportunities within the agriculture sector.
Harmony in action at Castlemaine State Festival
Resonant Heart, a performance at Castlemaine Town Hall ... Featuring two artists from Iran as well as Indian, Balkan, Sudanese and Sephardic Jewish influences, the all-female Resonant Heart ... provided an antidote in music, poetry, dance and puppetry ... Later ... a rousing and enjoyable set to a receptive crowd at Maldon’s Holy Trinity Church...
War fuels anxiety
A survey conducted last week by market research agency Nature shows that 97 per cent of Australians are concerned about fuel supplies amidst current global tensions. In response to concerns about fuel shortages, the Victorian Farmers Federation is urging drivers and the government to make changes to commuting. Meanwhile, the State Government has introduced penalties for petrol price-gouging and the Opposition is saying the government is not doing enough...
Laughter really is the best medicine
The expression ‘laughter is the best medicine’ is no joke. Countless studies confirm the healing properties and mental health benefits of a good giggle ... “I was given three years to live and that was 20-plus years ago so I’ve survived way past my expiry date,” says Laughter Yoga facilitator, Kim O'Meara, laughing.
The regional Australia advantage
For many regional Australians, 30 minutes in nature isn’t therapy — it’s simply part of everyday life, and that may be our greatest wellbeing advantage.
Urea $1400 : Going… going… gone
Urea hit the equivalent of $2,800 a tonne in today’s dollars back in 1974. That’s not a typo—and it’s not ancient history either. To understand how that happens, you need to start with geography. Roughly a third of global fertiliser trade by sea—not production, trade—passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
