The people’s Cup hits the road again – Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour reveals 37 destinations for 2026 journey
The 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour is back with one of its most exciting journeys yet, with 37 destinations across Australia and the world revealed today at an official launch event at Flemington Racecourse.
There’s no social licence for Rushy’s sale: TasFarmers
The peak body for Tasmanian farmers has released its Rushy Lagoon Land Use North-East Community Impact Survey. TasFarmers said it had received concerns from numerous members regarding the proposed sale of Rushy Lagoon, and federal government support allowing a foreign-owned entity to purchase the property and convert it to a pine plantation.
Securing more fertiliser for Australian farmers: Farrell, Collins, Ayres
The Albanese Labor Government continues to secure essential fuel and fertiliser to keep Australian agriculture moving, with around 80,250 tonnes of additional urea now locked in through the Government’s $7.5 billion Fuel and Fertiliser Security Facility. Through Export Finance Australia, the Government has partnered with Incitec Pivot to support the purchase of two shipments of urea from Indonesia.
Texas energy giants to fuel Flinders Shire Council’s renewable boom
Flinders Shire Council is taking a leaf out of the Texas playbook to supercharge its economic future, welcoming a high-profile delegation of USA wind energy experts to the region this week as part of a tour of the state. The strategic visit aims to showcase how Flinders Shire is championing a pragmatic, economically driven approach to renewable energy development...
Littleproud welcomes review of Southern Downs water licence
Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has welcomed the Queensland Governments decision to review the water licence granted to Cherrabah Resort, describing it as an important and positive step. Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy has announced the State Department will review the water licence of Cherrabah Resort after its foreign owners applied to commercially extract and bottle up to 96 million litres of groundwater per year.
Chalmers and Keating: A tradition of ambushing the entrepreneur
Amused by the now familiar angry interventions of the former Prime Minister, Paul Keating, on behalf of his acolyte and sycophantic follower Jim Chalmers, attempting to save him from the quicksand of the 2026 Federal Budget, Kookaburra has been taken back in time to December 1983.
‘We need more staff!’: regional employers are hiring, but we are closing the door to skilled migrant workers
Claire Higgins, Louise Olliff. Regional Australia has long struggled to attract skilled workers away from urban centres. In the years since the pandemic, however, the labour market in country areas has tightened even further. Unemployment across regional Australia is at historically low levels, meaning many job vacancies are going unfilled.
Albanese Labor Government helps secure more jet fuel and fertiliser: Albanese, Wong, Farrell, Bowen, King, Collins
After discussions between Australia and China, including between the Prime Minister and China’s Premier Li, the Albanese Labor Government has helped to secure three shipments of jet fuel, totaling more than 600,000 barrels or about 100 million litres.
Further streamlining and strengthening the foreign investment framework: Chalmers
This second round of foreign investment reforms is all about making more improvements so the regime is much stronger where risks are high and much faster where risks are low ... These reforms will increase certainty for investors and will lead to faster and fewer approvals, reduced regulatory burden, and improved tools to address high-risk investment.
Northern Territory strengthens investment ties with Taiwan: Cahill
As part of the Finocchiaro CLP Government’s year of Growth, Certainty and Security, Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations Robyn Cahill is leading a targeted government delegation to Taiwan this week, advancing the Territory’s position as a trusted and competitive partner for one of our most important trading partners.
Influential wine importers pour into SA: Picton, Scriven
The 11 influential importers and buyers from China and Hong Kong last week visited South Australia to experience the state’s world-class wines first-hand and to agree to new export deals. The four-day program, hosted by renowned wine experts Tony Love and Kate Spain, saw the diverse group of wine buyers take part in an immersive experience of South Australia’s world-class wine...
Allora’s Sally Higgins steps into global United Nations youth role
Allora local Sally Higgins has been appointed by Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen as the United Nations Presidency Youth Climate Champion (PYCC) for COP31 - a global role created to ensure young people are meaningfully included in international climate discussions.
Samuel Darke held a unique position
A Grafton man thought to be the last surviving link to an undercover British nuclear operation has passed away. Samuel Darke was a teenager when he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and was subsequently given orders to participate in a top-secret mission known as Operation Totem where a pair of British atmospheric nuclear tests were conducted in the South Australian outback in October 1953.
New guide to help Wimmera migrants settle in region
Wimmera Settlement Services has released a comprehensive Guide and Directory outlining dozens of services, supports and sporting, work, training and social opportunities for new settlers to the region. Available in hard copy and online it aims to help new migrants feel welcome, supported and ready to start of new life in the Wimmera.
TasFarmers raises red flags as Rushy Lagoon decision delayed again
Farmers are demanding answers after the sale of Tasmania’s largest farm, Rushy Lagoon, was granted a third extension for review by the Foreign Investment Review Board. TasFarmers said the repeated delays, now extending beyond the standard statutory reporting timeframe, raise serious questions about the financing and transparency of the proposed foreign investment deal.
Global fashion brands head to Namoi Valley to trace Australian cotton story: Cotton Australia
More than 50 delegates from some of the world’s leading fashion brands, retailers and non-government organisations have travelled from across Australia and overseas to the Namoi Valley, as part of Cotton Australia’s flagship Camp Cotton event - reinforcing growing global demand for traceable, sustainably produced natural fibres.
Strengthening energy security with Japan: Albanese, Wong, Bowen
Australia and Japan have reached an agreement to further strengthen energy security in our region ... will work together to support the flow of essential goods – including fuel and gas – between our countries.
New market access to Indonesia for five export meat establishments: Collins
... the approval of five additional export beef establishments for exports to Indonesia, including one establishment also receiving approval for sheep and goat meat ... is a boost for Australia’s trade relationship with Indonesia where more high-quality Australian halal red meat will now be available.
An icon of LHI’s birdlife gets a helping hand and is listed on CMS Appendix II
In early-April 2024, the Sable Shearwater (formerly known as the Flesh-footed Shearwater) was added to Appendix II of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS; also known as the Bonn Convention).
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?
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 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...
