Media Release

Household cost-of-living measures were front and centre of Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ pre-election Budget ... but the government has failed to deliver initiatives that would improve business productivity, innovation and growth. CPA Australia Chief Executive Officer Chris Freeland AM said: “Businesses and their advisers will find little in the federal Budget that will help offset the pain all-too-many small businesses have been experiencing.

The budget delivered ... is like a single, small scoop of vanilla ice cream for the bush – predictable and lacking the flavour to truly satisfy regional Australia, industry body GrainGrowers said ... it had missed the opportunity to deliver on a range of regional investment opportunities that would strengthen grain-growing regions and bridge the gap between urban centres and the bush.

...Federal Budget underscores just how critical the upcoming election will be to deliver the key investments needed to secure and grow Australian agriculture in an increasingly uncertain environment. National Farmers’ Federation President David Jochinke said this was a chance for the Federal Government to back Australian agriculture and give the economy a much-needed shot in the arm.

The Federal Budget for 2025-26 is a mixed bag for rural, regional and remote Australia in terms of funding for healthcare. While certain aspects of the budget benefit rural populations, there is a lack of a targeted strategy to address the unique health challenges these communities face.

...statement from the chief executive of the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM), Melina Morrison, on the Federal Budget ... “The significant expansion of aged care and housing policies unveiled in the Federal Budget will ensure many Australians can now rightly expect a better quality of life.

Mentoring to transform ideas into real solutions is one of the key offerings of a new program launched today by Hort Frontiers. The new program – Australian-Grown Innovation, developed in partnership with Startupbootcamp and Cluster Connect - is designed to drive innovation that will tackle the most pressing challenges in horticulture.  

The Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) ... welcomes the ACCC recommendation which calls on the Government to support better prices and competition for Australian shoppers especially in regional and remote areas through measures to incentivise more community owned and co-operative stores.

The NSW Government changes to the Shark Management Program include the removal of shark nets on beaches from 31 March 2025. The timing of the removal of nets to avoid the peak of turtle migration has been communicated to Surf Life Saving Clubs ... SLSNSW provides drone surveillance services at 50 sites across the NSW coastline during key times of the year.

The Barton Highway has undergone significant upgrades over the past few years. The first stage of works opened in early 2024, and duplicated the highway from the NSW side of the ACT Border to Kaveneys Road in NSW ... Detailed planning work to deliver Stage 2 of the Barton Highway upgrade is currently being finalised.

The final report for the ACCC's supermarkets inquiry has made 20 recommendations after finding that ALDI, Coles and Woolworths are some of the most profitable supermarket businesses among global peers and their average product margins have increased over the past five financial years.

Representatives of Inland Rail and Illabo to Stockinbingal contractor John ... be at the session at The Rules Club, 188 Fernleigh Road, Wagga Wagga, between 9am and 11am on Tuesday 18 March ... The Meet the Contractor events are intended to provide local and First Nations businesses and communities with a greater understanding of the opportunities available with the project.

A nation-first vehicle designed to test cutting-edge electronic warfare (EW) technologies on the go, has been developed in South Australia. Defence leader Raytheon Australia has pioneered the Electronic Warfare Tactical Engagement (EWTE) vehicle, to fast-track the innovation of local and national EW solutions.

The Minns Labor Government has introduced nation-leading legislation that would require suppliers to take greater responsibility for the handling and disposal of products including batteries that can cause a risk to human safety and the environment.

he Allan Labor Government has implemented Australia’s first machete ban with the Terrorism (Community Protection) and Control of Weapons Amendment Bill [2024] passing Parliament ... Penalties of 2 years imprisonment or a fine of over $47,000 for being caught in possession of one will apply.

The cancellation of the recent Cohuna Bridge to Bridge fund raiser has created ripples through the halls of power in Melbourne and is still causing discussion about the huge jump in traffic management fees ... After The Bridge ran the story in our March 6 edition, we received a call from the Premier’s office asking to have more input into the story ...

The glitz and glamour of drag queens and kings returns to the Red Centre when fabALICE takes over Alice Springs from Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 March. fabALICE is a vibrant four-day festival of colour, creativity, celebration and inclusivity featuring talented drag queens and kings...

The Crisafulli Government is ensuring local communities are consulted on two new wind farm developments, in line with the LNP’s election commitment. Wind farm development applications for the Marmadua Energy Park and the Middle Creek Energy Hub, 23km east of Tara, and 15km south of Wandoan respectively, have been issued with proposed ‘call in’ notices. 

This year’s Rare Spares Rockynats is set to rev up excitement both on and off-the-track with thrilling new program additions including an Asian street food-inspired Little Tokyo Drift Precinct and Off-Road Remote Control (RC) Car Racing that promise to bring even greater variety and entertainment for attendees of all ages to Queensland’s largest car and bike festival on April 4-6 in Rockhampton.

Never before seen in Australia and direct from Mexico’s Museo Frida Kahlo, the Frida Kahlo: In her own image exhibition is now open at Bendigo Art Gallery! Following her death in 1954, Frida’s husband Diego Rivera arranged for her cherished family home, the Casa Azul (the Blue House) to be preserved as a museum in her honour, as a gift to the people of Mexico.

Grain growers are advised to remain vigilant by monitoring mouse numbers locally in the lead up to sowing. The latest meeting of the National Mouse Group (NMG) heard reports of moderate to high mouse activity from the Darling Downs and Roma in Queensland, parts of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia and parts of Western Australia.

A newly published ABARES Insights report has emphasised concerns around non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and their sharp increase in recent years.

A Charles Sturt University researcher argues that sustainability research is particularly relevant to supporting Australian farmers’ resilience to both climate change and market risk.