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Media Release

Support our Aussie farmers this Christmas: Rural Aid

Rural Aid is calling on Australians to provide a much-needed hand up for our struggling farmers this Christmas. Farmers across South Australia, Victoria, and the southern parts of New South Wales are currently enduring a devastating drought and need our help – so too families in Southwest WA who are recovering from their driest start to cropping season on record.

Legislative reform to support First Nations economic empowerment: Chalmers, McCarthy

The Albanese Labor Government has introduced legislation to expand the role and remit of Indigenous Business Australia (IBA), as part of the Future Made in Australia (Production Tax Credit and Other Measures) Bill 2024. The Bill amends legislation to allow IBA to borrow and raise capital, boosting its ability to invest in First Nations businesses and communities.

Lismore lays the foundation for a world-class skatepark

An important milestone in constructing Lismore’s new $3.9 million Lismore Skatepark was reached this week, with the pouring of 2400m2 of concrete set to begin ... The facility includes both ‘street’ and ‘park’ (bowl) sections and a covered mini ramp, which is eagerly anticipated by the local skater community.

Aged care reforms passes parliament: Neumann

The Albanese Labor Government’s Aged Care Bill has today passed Parliament, ensuring once-in-a-generation reforms to aged care ... Starting from 1 July 2025, the new Act will deliver a range of improvements including a tougher regulatory model, strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and a Statement of Rights to ensure older people and their needs are at the centre of the new aged care system.

Sunshine Coast selected for new subsea cable landing point

In a major win for connectivity and economic growth, Sunshine Coast Council will partner with Google, NEXTDC and others on Australia Connect, an initiative to further the reach, reliability and resilience of digital connectivity in Australia and the Indo-Pacific. Australia Connect will deliver new subsea cable systems and build on the Pacific Connect initiative.

Specific ‘forever chemical’ found at unexpected levels in firefighting foam: UNSW Sydney

A new study has revealed there may be a significant underestimation of a specific type of  PFAS ‘forever chemical’ in the environment. Researchers from UNSW Sydney found that branched perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was more prevalent than expected in firefighting foam.

Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024: Rowland

Based on public statements and engagements with Senators, it is clear that there is no pathway to legislate this proposal through the Senate. The Government will not proceed with the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024. The Government invites all Parliamentarians to work with us on other proposals to strengthen democratic institutions and keep Australians safe online, while safeguarding values like freedom of expression.

Inaugural Cattle Australia event draws a large crowd

More than 500 stakeholders from across the beef supply chain have walked away optimistic about the future and ready to collaborate on the big issues facing the industry, following last Thursday’s Cattle Connect producer day … Cattle Australia’s inaugural conference and producer day, providing delegates the opportunity to hear from Australian and global experts on the changing dynamics of food production.

Festive fun for 2024 Gin Gin Christmas Parade

The Gin Gin Christmas Parade is back again on Sunday 22 December with the whole community invited to get into the festive spirit. Gin Gin Rural Fire Brigade’s Jack Daw gives an overview of the event: The event started in 2023 as a way to bring the community and the local emergency services closer together, and to spread some holiday joy.

Robust legislative agenda for final parliamentary sitting week: Edgington, Cahill

The CLP Government will introduce a comprehensive schedule of legislation for the final parliamentary sitting week of the year, commencing Tuesday. The First Home Owner Grant Amendment Bill 2024 and Fines and Penalties (Recovery) Amendment (Validation) Bill 2024 are two significant legislative priorities to be debated this sitting.

Consumers urged to choose quality batteries this sale season after record number of fires: Sharpe, Dib, Chanthivong

The NSW Government is warning consumers about the potential dangers of buying poor quality lithium-ion battery powered products as gifts this holiday season, which may pose a fire risk. The warning comes amid fears that substandard lithium-ion battery powered devices may flood the market during Black Friday, Cyber Monday and other pre-Christmas sales ahead of new regulations coming into effect next year.

Overhaul needed in truck wash biosecurity gaps: VFF

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is urging the Victorian Government to consider a complete overhaul of the state’s truck wash network to plug major gaps in Victoria’s biosecurity preparedness safety net.  VFF Livestock President Scott Young said the recent closure of the truck wash facility at the Pakenham saleyards has exposed how fragile the state network is.  

Deep dive into romance of surf culture on Mid North Coast

An immersive exhibition which plumbs the depths of the rich surfing culture on the Mid North Coast will open to fanfare at Coffs Harbour tomorrow.  Swell Chasers: Surf Stories from the Mid North Coast  sprawls across three galleries at the City of Coffs Harbour’s Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM) from 23 November to 2 February.  

New sea container strategy to boost biosecurity in the Pacific: DAFF

A workshop in Fiji this month will seek to strengthen biosecurity in the Pacific by developing a new strategy to manage risks associated with sea container movements. The strategy aims to reduce the global spread of hitchhiker pests across the Pacific region via the sea container pathway.

#AgDayAU photo competition captures the spirit of agriculture: NFF

A grinning musterer taking a mob of cattle out at sunset has taken out the top prize in the 2024 National Agriculture Day photo and video competition. National Farmers’ Federation President David Jochinke said Bronte Tremlett’s striking shot won the judges over in a record field of 500 entries.

Two-in-five city dwellers looking to make a regional move: RAI

New research commissioned by the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) shows the number of city-dwellers looking to relocate to the regions has doubled over the past 18 months, demonstrating an urgent need for solutions to regional pressure points. The results of a nationwide survey shows 40 per cent of capital city residents are considering a move to regional Australia – up from 20 per cent in May 2023.

Growth opportunities for Australian beef exports into South-East Asian markets – Rabobank

Australia has the opportunity to cement itself as one of the key beef suppliers into South- East Asian markets – as the appetite for beef continues to grow among the region’s consumers, according to agribusiness specialist Rabobank.

Old practices rekindled in new firefighting partnership: Forestry Corporation of NSW

The Western Bundjalung community’s Ngullingah Jugun Aboriginal Corporation is working with Forestry Corporation to bring together knowledge of cultural burning with government bushfire management. A fire training course has been held in Jubullum Village, near Tabulam … the fire training will improve both the community and government response to wildfires.

GrainGrowers seed report calls for government support for genetics access

GrainGrowers has called on the federal government to work with industry to ensure Australian growers can tap into biotechnology developments and deliver timely access to innovative crop genetics.

Government confirms liquidity trap for farmers and small business under new ‘Super Tax’: NFF, COSBOA

Farming families and small business owners across the country have been left speechless by the Agriculture and Small Business Minister Julie Collins’ response in question time ... regarding proposed changes to superannuation. When asked whether the changes would result in a tax bill on unrealised gains even in years with zero or negative income, the Minister confirmed farmers would have to find the cash – potentially forcing the sale of family farms.

Singapore Sling – Government backs distillers’ Southeast Asian vision: Szakacs

Six South Australian businesses will take part in the delegation led by the industry’s peak body, Distillers SA, and will showcase their award-winning gin, whisky, brandy, vermouth and liqueurs for Singaporean importers and consumers at targeted business meetings, tasting events and site visits...

Fire ants failure a former Queensland Labor Government legacy: Littleproud

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said the latest detection of fire ants in northern New South Wales shows the former Queensland Labor Government was too slow to act on the Senate inquiry report "Red imported fire ants in Australia – ‘don’t let this come back to bite us’" … the Clunes discovery … comes after previous findings of fire ants in Murwillumbah and Wardell.

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