Media Release

Landowners along the Tasmanian North West Transmission Development have overwhelmingly rejected a last-minute strategic benefit payment offer made by the Tasmanian Government. TasFarmers CEO Nathan Calman said the offer delivered at the eleventh hour through TasNetworks broke pre-election commitments made to negotiate in good faith.

After careful consideration of what the NSW Government Budget 2025/26 means for rural, regional and remote Councils, the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) sees a reactionary budget that is fiscally responsible in a time when investment in the regions is needed ... “Overall, not a lot for the CMA in the 2025-26 NSW Budget to be excited about. However, we continue to advocate for equity for rural, regional and remote communities in the State.”

The sudden closure of the Mokoan Hub and Café at Winton Wetlands is incredibly disappointing and has left our local community reeling. My thoughts are with the hardworking staff who lost their jobs with no warning or transparency. They deserved far better.

Some of Western Australia's most unique reptiles have been rescued from smugglers who were attempting to send them interstate through Perth Airport. In one case, a package containing eight live bobtail lizards destined for Sydney was intercepted, resulting in a $2,500 fine.

Tasmania’s peak farming body, TasFarmers, is today releasing its bold long-term vision for the state, calling on all political parties to commit to strategic policy that supports the growth and sustainability of agriculture ... "The policy platform outlines key reforms across multiple areas, including local government rates, invasive species management, freight, and workforce development.

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud is calling for Universal Service Obligation (USO) reform, as a mobile phone outage in the Western Downs continues to cause havoc. Mr Littleproud said a full shutdown and outage of mobile phones over the past week and a half is frustrating and worrying locals, due to a Telstra rebuild of the main tower serving Dalby, a town of over 15,000 people.

New data published today by Tourism Research Australia shows international holiday visitors spent a record $3.1 billion, surpassing pre-Covid levels for the very first time. Visitors from New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, India, France and Indonesia led the charge, all spending a record amount while they were holidaying in Queensland. 

An international team of scientists has developed a biodegradable material that could slash global energy consumption without using any electricity, according to a new study published today. The bioplastic metafilm – that can be applied to buildings, equipment and other surfaces – passively cools temperatures by as much as 9.2°C during peak sunlight and reflects almost 99 per cent of the sun’s rays.

The Crisafulli Government’s 2025-26 Budget lays the foundation for the fresh start Queenslanders voted for, addressing Labor’s youth crime, health, housing and cost of living crises. The Budget focuses on making Queensland safer, delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders, driving down cost of living pressures for families…

The 2025-26 Budget is focused on building a prosperous future for NSW. The Minns Labor Government is securing the state’s economy and the essential services people rely on, while accelerating growth across NSW.

An investment of more than $30 million to upgrade one of South Australia’s most important airports has been completed, allowing vital services to the Whyalla region to continue.

As part of the Finocchiaro CLP Government’s Rebuilding the Economy: NT Economy Strategy 2025, Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations Robyn Cahill will lead a delegation to Malaysia to strengthen government-to-government ties and promote new trade and investment opportunities for the Northern Territory.

Hundreds of locals and visitors gathered in Cooktown over the weekend for the 46th annual Cooktown Discovery Festival, celebrating the region’s rich culture, community spirit, and place in Australian history as the site of the first recorded act of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Premier Roger Cook and Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia are travelling to the UK for strategic talks about WA's internationally sought-after defence sector ... WA companies already manufacture vital parts of Australia's submarines and are working to enter the US Virginia-class supply chain. By strengthening ties with the UK, it's hoped they will also break into the Astute-class supply chain.

The Finocchiaro CLP Government is backing the growth of the Northern Territory’s Blacklip Rock Oyster industry, with progress on the ground showcased at a community field day on Bathurst Island. Held at Wurrumiyanga on 19 June 2025, the Oyster Farm Field Day brought together local community members, industry participants and research partners...

Latest statistics by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have revealed the value of Australian vegetable, cut flower, nursery and turf industries all went backwards in FY24. 

From humble beginnings to a thriving conservation movement, this year TurtleCare Sunshine Coast will celebrate its 20 year anniversary. See rare, behind-the-scenes footage of little miracles hatching and environmental champions at work in an uplifting video dedicated to an inspiring Sunshine Coast volunteer group.

Whale watching is in full swing in Shellharbour with numerous sightings occurring this month, including some incredible drone footage from Bushrangers Bay caught by local ORRCA volunteer Ty Peters.

Australia’s co-operative and mutual sector has ambitions to emulate its UK counterpart’s planned doubling in size, after recording an 8.4 per cent increase in annual revenue. The latest National Mutual Economy Report (NME) … shows continued resilience by the sector against a backdrop of on-going global volatility and stabilising inflation.

The lack of an integrated planning framework for the management of Australia’s marine estate is emerging as a major challenge for development of the Blue Economy. In this webinar, possible approaches to overcome these challenges will be discussed.

The Australian Beef Sustainability Framework (ABSF) is proud to host a Sustainability Showcase, where the latest research and development initiatives related to the ABSF priorities will be presented to the industry’s valued stakeholders.