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AMTA launches “Check my Device” tool to help Aussies prepare for 3G networks shutdown

The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) today announced the launch of a new web-based tool, Check my Device to help Australians determine if their mobile device will be fully supported on Australian mobile networks after 3G networks close, including the ability to make emergency calls to Triple 0. Check my Device can be found on the website, www.3Gclosure.com.au, is available to all Australians, on any mobile network…

By the book – New database collates Australian Ag sustainability regulations: DAFF

A new online database has been launched to assist Australian agricultural stakeholders, including farmers and agribusiness operators, in identifying sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) regulations relevant to their business. The Sustainability-related Regulations Database (SR-Database) collates and explains current Australian laws relating to agricultural sustainability.

Royal Commission to bring Covid failings to light: Canavan

Senator Canavan will ... introduce a bill to institute a Royal Commission into Australia’s Covid response. The bill has been jointly signed by Senators Antic, Rennick, O’Sullivan, Roberts, and Babet and sets out the arrangements and terms of reference to hold a Royal Commission into Australia’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Latest data on crop loss and waste reflects Australian resilience and innovation: ABARES

Australian food producers are finding innovative new ways to limit losses and create alternative uses for waste, as evidenced in a new report titled Crop loss/waste on Australian horticulture farms, 2022–23 ... The report was commissioned by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, to fill specific data gaps on food loss and waste in primary production in the horticulture industry.

Genetics and AI approaches to power-up pulses: GRDC

Chickpea, lentil and faba bean growers across Australia can expect significantly more productive crops within the next decade thanks to a new collaborative, international research project to improve crop yields ... Project leader Professor Rajeev Varshney FRS ... said chickpea, lentil and faba bean production is currently hamstrung due to limited genetic diversity, resulting in meagre yield improvement of less than 0.5 per cent each year.

Concern at Climate Change Authority announcement: NSW Farmers

NSW Farmers is urging the new head of the Climate Change Authority not to forget the critical importance of agriculture in feeding the future. This week Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed that Matt Kean, former NSW treasurer and energy minister, would now head the Climate Change Authority. NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said the announcement was concerning to those in rural communities who were still dealing with the consequences of Mr Kean’s decisions as minister.

Delivering First Nations water ownership in the Basin: Plibersek

The Albanese Labor Government has ... launched a world-leading water ownership program for First Nations peoples in the Murray-Darling Basin, delivering on an election commitment. Under the Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program, the government has made $100 million available to buy water in the Basin, with First Nations representatives to determine how that money is spent.

Gentle giants holiday in Queensland: Healy

The whale watching season in Queensland is now officially open with 40,000 gentle giants holidaying on Queensland’s coastline from June to November. Queensland’s east coast, also known as the humpback highway, is expected to attract more than 127,000 domestic visitors. Queensland has a high association as a destination with world-class nature and wildlife experiences...

WA’s first non-stop Singapore to Broome service takes off: Carey

Western Australia's first non-stop seasonal service between Singapore and Broome launched today, marking the first international route to fly directly into regional WA since the State's borders reopened ... Jetstar Asia's seasonal service will bring almost 6,500 inbound seats to Broome in its first year and reduce travel time between the two destinations by over five hours.

Man sentenced after pleading guilty to causing a bushfire

A Territory man who pleaded guilty in the NT Supreme Court to illegally starting a fire at Djukbinj National Park 2 years ago has today received a 6-month suspended sentence. Djukbinj National Park is a wetland of national significance ... “The resulting wildfire burned for 11 days, burning a total of 166 square kilometres, including 2300 hectares of pasture on an adjoining pastoral station ..."

South Australian forestry industry to frame up new technical colleges: Scriven, Boyer

South Australian-sourced timber will form the backbone of two of the state’s new technical colleges – simultaneously reducing the carbon impact of the construction work and supporting the state’s $3 billion forestry industry ... new technical colleges at Tonsley and Mount Gambier will both be constructed with timber sourced from Timberlink Australia’s new $70 million NeXTimber manufacturing facility at Tarpeena in the state’s south east.

Australian avocado production continues to smash records – Rabobank

Australia’s avocado industry is grappling with another year of increased production and low prices, according to a new report by agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank. However, the world’s growing appetite for the popular nutrient-packed green fruit is offering growers some relief, with increasing export demand for Australia’s produce, the report says.

Rural Commodities Index lifts again as wheat prices rally: NAB

The NAB Rural Commodities Index* has continued its upwards momentum, increasing 1.4 per cent month-on-month in May, driven by rising prices for wheat, barley, canola and lamb. The Index is now around levels last seen in February 2023, according to NAB’s June Rural Commodities Wrap released today.

Strengthening the Food and Grocery Code to get a fair go for families and farmers: Chalmers, Watt, Leigh

The Albanese Government will strengthen the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, accepting all recommendations of a recent independent review into the Code as part of a wide‑ranging cost‑of‑living crackdown on anti‑competitive behaviour in the food and grocery sector ... The Review found that the current voluntary Code is failing to address the imbalance of bargaining power between supermarkets and their suppliers, including farmers.

Water and environment research unveiled at Basin science symposium: MDBA

Progress of research that will benefit the Basin and its communities for years to come has been shared at the third annual symposium of the Murray–Darling Water and Environment Research Program (MD-WERP). Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Chief Executive Andrew McConville said 35 projects developing Basin-wide knowledge have been completed or are progressing via the 5-year $20 million Australian Government funded MD-WERP.

Agreement to boost WA’s participation in wind energy supply chain: Dawson

The Cook Government has signed a collaborative agreement with the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC). Through the agreement, an industry support program will deliver financial and non-financial support for local businesses, to enhance their participation in wind energy supply chains.

New Zealand flights to take off after Bonza closure

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli’s call to the Queensland Government for a lifeline following Bonza Airline’s closure has been met with a positive step forward ... The Fund will support direct Jetstar flights from Sunshine Coast Airport to Auckland all year round, starting in December.

New tech tested to support kangaroo management: AgriFutures Australia

PhD student Evan Curtis has reached a turning point in research investigating the use of drones, simulation studies and artificial intelligence (AI) to sustainably manage the kangaroo industry in NSW. Evan, a student at the University of Sydney, is mid-way through his project,  Determining optimal management strategies for four large macropods in NSW ...

Clover4Bees makes encouraging progress prioritising pasture species: AgriFutures Australia

Pasture legumes shortlisted for honey bee food source potential, honey production attributes and industry collaboration opportunities. A pilot study exploring the potential of pasture legumes as a food source for honey bees is on track to deliver valuable results to beekeepers in 2024.

Renewables move a significant long-term challenge for Australian ag: GrainGrowers

A move from fossil fuels to renewables is a significant long-term challenge for Australian agriculture, balancing economic viability and practicality of emerging technologies in the push for a greener more secure energy future. A GrainGrowers report, Fuels, Inputs of the Future, examines possible fuels for farm machinery and equipment in the future...

TasFarmers issues urgent scam alert: Farmers duped in hay scams

The peak body for Tasmanian farmers is alerting agricultural producers to an alarming rise in scam activities targeting their community. TasFarmers has received reports revealing a troubling trend where farmers seeking to purchase hay are falling victim to substantial financial scams.

Urgent action needed – battery fires threaten Australian recycling: ACOR

The Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) and the Waste Contractors and Recyclers Association of NSW (WCRA) have released industry research outlining the dangers caused by electronic items thrown away in conventional waste and recycling streams. This research shows that batteries, both loose and embedded in electronic items, are causing around 30 fires per day across Australia’s recycling and waste facilities, injuring workers, destroying infrastructure and pushing up costs.

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