Murray–Darling Basin Authority communique
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority met on 30 August 2021 by video teleconference. The meeting was chaired by Sir Angus Houston with all members present ... the Authority released the mid-year report card on the Basin Plan. This is the sixth report card produced by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and responds to community feedback seeking short and succinct updates on water reform progress.
Helping farmers benefit from soil management
The Australian Government has today released for public consultation a draft soil carbon method for the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the new method will support greater uptake of soil carbon projects by overcoming barriers to participating in the ERF by reducing costs and introducing new activities to store carbon.
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Annual Operational Plan 2021-2022
The ACIAR Annual Operational Plan for 2021–22 sets out the context and objectives of the work program throughout the Indo-Pacific region for the year ahead. ACIAR CEO Andrew Campbell says that it describes how we will continue to build the partnerships, knowledge and capacity required to achieve more productive, sustainable and resilient agrifood systems in our region.
Contract awarded to deliver purpose-built quarantine facility at Pinkenba
Progress continues to be made on the Morrison Government’s purpose-built quarantine facility at Pinkenba, with global construction company Multiplex selected to deliver the project ... Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said the Centre at Pinkenba would support ongoing efforts to fight COVID-19 and will give Queensland extra capacity to manage potential future health crises or natural disasters.
More police powers, less protections
The Labor and Liberal parties have voted to pass the Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Bill 2020 which makes three new warrants available to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) ... “The Richardson review concluded that this bill enables the AFP and ACIC to be ‘judge, jury and executioner.’ That’s not how we deliver justice in this country.” said Senator Lidia Thorpe, the Greens spokesperson for Justice.
Farmers crossed in crosshairs of state-ism gone mad
As National Cabinet prepares to meet, farmers have accused state premiers of ‘arrogance’ over border arrangements, saying they seem to have forgotten that growing food and fibre is essential to public health. The National Farmers’ Federation is calling on National Cabinet to recommit to the National Agriculture Workers Code and focus on quarantine solutions for ag workers as a bumper grain harvest looms.
Food security in Western NSW
National Indigenous Radio Service. The shadow minister for Indigenous Australians says the federal government is ill-equipped to deal with the level of food insecurity in COVID hit First Nations communities.
Contract awarded to deliver purpose-built quarantine facility in WA
Progress continues to be made on Western Australia’s Centre for National Resilience, with global construction company Multiplex today selected to deliver the project. Following the finalisation of various independent feasibility studies and negotiations, the centre will be built at a site on Commonwealth-owned land within the Bullsbrook Training Area.
Farm worker shortage packing a punch
“With the current limit for seasonal workers expected to be met by October – and a forecast shortage of up to 24,000 workers in the horticulture industry – Labor’s Agriculture Minister can’t afford to delay ... The time is now for the government to roll out rapid testing. It’s a way to keep Victorians safe. It’s a way to help reopen this state and keep us open, and that’s what Victorians need as much as anything else,” said Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Peter Walsh.
Sacred Bodhi tree’s journey to Oz 2300 years in the making
In a cultural first for Australia, a sapling from a sacred tree revered by the world’s Buddhist community has been imported from Sri Lanka in what can only be described as a great biosecurity success story.
Review – The Forgotten Menzies
An in-depth review of Stephen A Chavura and Greg Melluish's investigation into the philosophical roots of Australia's longest-serving Prime Minister.
Ag visa plan big on announcements, short on details
The Federal Government’s re-announcement of an agricultural workers visa has done little to provide clarity for industry on how extra workers will safely enter Queensland. Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the visa had first been announced by the Federal Government three years ago, but there were still no details available.
Aquaculture now largest sector of seafood industry
Australia’s aquaculture sector continues on a trajectory of steady growth, but the entire industry has experienced disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest edition of ABARES’s Australian Fisheries and Aquaculture Statistics.
Commercial rocket launch permit granted for South Australia
The Morrison Government has given regulatory approval for a commercial rocket launch to take place later this year from a newly licensed launch facility in South Australia.
Liberal National Government introduces new Agriculture Visa to address workforce supply
The Liberal National Government announces that it has delivered a vital agriculture visa to help secure the future of rural and regional Australia. The Government says that the Agricultural Worker Visa will provide a long term, reliable workforce for our critical industries while solving one of the great challenges facing regional Australia in recent history.
Ag visa moves forward
NSW Farmers has welcomed news that an Australian Agricultural Visa (Ag Visa) is set to finally become reality from 30 September 2021. The new Ag Visa will widen the recruitment opportunities of low to skilled workers from participating countries, which the Association understands will initially be open to ASEAN countries.
Missing visa piece to fit farm labour puzzle
Growcom has enthusiastically welcomed confirmation today from the Federal Government that a new Australian Agriculture visa will be in place by the end of September.
Government makes NFF’s coveted Ag Visa a reality; provides hope for this year’s harvest
In a monumental commitment, the Federal Government has delivered on the National Farmers’ Federation’s long called-for Agriculture-specific Visa (Ag Visa) to provide real long-term workforce relief to Australian farmers.
Freedom is the best reason to get vaccinated
There is a saying that goes like this: you can’t change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails. It’s time to adjust our sails, Australia, because the wind blowing in the COVID-19 virus is going to keep blowing. We need our national mojo back: Bev McArthur, MP.
Parliament needs independent science advice
Senator Kim Carr. "If members and senators are going to debate and pass the laws that govern Australians, they need access to reliable information. The institution and processes of parliamentary democracy would not be possible without that access. It is what the proposed science office would provide": Senator Kim Carr
Gurra Downs Date Company
"Out of every adversity lays the seed of equal or greater opportunity" ... "if you've got a passion for farming, grazing, cropping or whatever it is, just keep looking through your genetics and the way that you manage your farms and your businesses and your environments" : Dave Reilly
Lands Acquisition Act review
The Morrison Government has today released the Review of the Lands Acquisition Act 1989 (the LAA) and has accepted all 16 recommendations in full.
