Bulk billing benefits locals
In a major boost for the Upper Murray community, Corryong Health has transitioned to a bulk billed medical practice as of of March 2nd under a recently launched Australian government Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP). The program has expanded eligibility for Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) bulk billing incentives.
Regenerative agriculture and the return of an old economic fallacy
Beneath the agreeable language embedded in regenerative agriculture — soil health and sustainable ecosystems — sits a more consequential proposition: that modern, input-intensive agriculture has overshot its optimal point and that government policy should now encourage a structural shift toward lower-input systems. That is not a trivial adjustment. It is a claim about the production frontier of Australian agriculture. Claims of that magnitude ... warrant far more rigorous empirical scrutiny than they have so far received.
The stink about releasing the carp virus
The Carp Herpes Virus (scientifically known as Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 or KHV) is a biological control agent proposed by the Australian government to combat the invasive common carp. Since its introduction in the 1800s, carp have decimated Australia's freshwater ecosystems, with experts estimating they make up 80 to 90 per cent of the fish biomass in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Regional growth without rail is a hollow promise: Siri Gamage
Dr Siri Gamage. We keep hearing about regional growth. We hear about decentralisation, productivity, housing pressures in capital cities and the promise of thriving regional communities. But here is the uncomfortable truth: growth without proper public transport is not a strategy. It is rhetoric.
Drier conditions on the horizon after record year: ABARES
Australian agriculture is set to reach a record $101.4 billion in grosspproduction value in 2025-26 before easing in 2026–27, with both prices and output expected to soften. ABARES is forecasting combined agriculture, fisheries and forestry value to top $107.4 billion in 2025-26 – also a record - underscoring the strength of Australia’s primary industries.
Federal tree clearing complaints surge raises concerns for farmers: Property Rights Australia
Property Rights Australia says the Federal government’s major overhaul of environmental law duplicating the traditional State role was always going to be a problem for an under resourced Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water DCCEEW. Compounding the problem is a surge in complaints regarding alleged “illegal tree clearing”, placing increasing pressure on both regulators and rural landowners.
Northern Murray-Darling Basin buybacks: announcement and initial responses
The Federal Government's announcement that it will consider purchasing water entitlements in the northern Murray-Darling Basin has, unsurprisingly, provoked differing responses. The announcement from Minister Watt and the responses from Nationals Senator and Shadow Minister for Water, Ross Cadell, from the Shadow Minister for Water (NSW), Steph Cooke, and from the Nature Conservation Council of NSW point to the different issues and views on this contentious topic.
Important Shark and Ray Area recognised around Lord Howe Island
Sharks and rays are among the most endangered groups of animals on the planet ... The marine parks around Lord Howe Island have now been recognised as an Important Shark and Ray Area ... The waters here support feeding and reproduction for Galapagos sharks...
Labor must stop any water from Elbow Valley going overseas: Littleproud
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has raised serious concerns about a proposed water extraction operation in the Elbow Valley region. Mr Littleproud said the Chinese-owned developers’ proposal to extract up to 96 million litres of water annually, in an area susceptible to drought, to bottle and potentially export overseas doesn’t make sense.
Business community welcomes high speed rail announcement
Terry Collins. Business NSW Central Coast has described the recent funding announcement to accelerate the Newcastle–Sydney High Speed Rail corridor as presenting a major opportunity to accelerate jobs, investment and long-term economic growth in the region.
Sheepish markets: Where futures go to die
As the WA sheep industry watches in disbelief the rollout of the federal government’s transition package — where $139 million seems to be evaporating before our eyes — one thing is becoming painfully clear. The design of the funding means the vast majority of sheep producers impacted by the end of live exports won’t see a cent.
Time for the Commonwealth to finally deliver Barkly radar: Edgington
The Commonwealth must finally deliver a new weather radar for the Barkly region that the region has been waiting a decade for ... “The residents of the Barkly have been waiting for a new weather radar since the Federal Government de-commissioned the old one in 2015 - over a decade ago,” Mr Edgington said.
Closure of Beaufort River abattoir a devastating blow to Great Southern jobs and sheep industry: Hunter, Rundle
The Opposition has slammed the Cook and Albanese Labor Governments after the temporary closure of the Beaufort River meat processing facility in the Great Southern — coming just one day after governments announced supply-chain grants intended to "support" the sheep industry.
Transitions without the capacity
Since coming to power, the Federal Labor Government has presided over a sharp contraction in Western Australia’s sheep flock. Industry figures show numbers falling from roughly 12 million head in 2022 to around 8 million today — a drop of about one-third in just four years ... Just as the State Agriculture Minister was proudly announcing $20 million in grants to help farmers and processors adjust, Beaufort River Meats quietly announced it was moving into care and maintenance due to ongoing sheep shortages.
18 million hectares of farmland required for Labor’s net zero target: Littleproud
...Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said the agricultural land required by … DAFF own calculations doesn’t factor in land that has already been sequestered. It comes after Senate Estimates heard the ABARES Insights Sequestration on agricultural land: impacts and policy trade-offs report shows under the 119 million tonnes of land-based sequestration needed to achieve net zero, about 18 million hectares of sequestration projects would need to be established by 2050.
WA sheep industry supply chain capacity increased through grants: Collins, Jarvis
The first round of the Supply Chain Capacity Program grants, valued at $20 million, are set to flow to Western Australian sheep producers and processors to bolster capital investment and build productivity. The program forms part of the Australian Government’s $139.8 million Sheep Industry Transition Assistance Package which is designed to assist as businesses adjust to the phase out of live sheep exports by sea.
Productivity crisis is no longer a slow-burn problem: CPA Australia
Australia’s largest accounting body, CPA Australia, says Australia’s productivity crisis is now serious enough to threaten economic growth, competitiveness and living standards unless governments act decisively ... Business and Investment Lead Gavan Ord said: “Australia is running out of time. If productivity continues to stagnate, living standards will go backwards and the economy will struggle to sustain growth.
Commonwealth recognises Fingerboards with Major Project Status: Gippsland Critical Minerals
Gippsland Critical Minerals’ redesigned Fingerboards Project has been awarded Major Project Status (MPS) by the Australian Government recognising its global supply impacts, economic benefits and its alignment with national interest. Senator The Hon Tim Ayres, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science has awarded Major Project Status to the Fingerboards Project for a period of 3 years, a decision based on the projects potential contribution the Australian critical minerals sector, specifically as a supplier of rare earth elements and zircon, with onsite separation and rail transport for downstream refinement.
Farmers left in limbo under Labor’s confusing, messy environmental reforms: Littleproud
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said Labor’s environmental reforms have created a confusing and costly mess, with farmers unable to get the information or help they need ... “Unfortunately, farmers are struggling to get information about what they can and can’t do under the new requirements. Machinery operators have also said the requirements will damage their business and cut jobs..."
Mayors briefed on Basin Plan Review: MRGC
The Murray River Group of Councils (MRGC) met in Melbourne last week for a dedicated strategic forum to discuss and shape its initial response to the 2026 Basin Plan Review. Mayors and CEOs from the MRGC … received a comprehensive briefing from Murray–Darling Basin Authority CEO Andrew McConville and senior executives on the MDBA’s recently released Basin Plan Review Discussion Paper.
Save Fort Queenscliff: McArthur
Having taken the matter to the Victorian Parliament, Member for Western Victoria Region, Bev McArthur, is demanding answers over the federal government's plan to permanently close 68 defence locations across the nation - including the historic Fort Queenscliff … Mrs McArthur joined around 200 residents at a community rally organised by Senator Sarah Henderson, opposing the federal government’s plan to sell this nationally significant heritage site.
Snapshot reveals Aussie agriculture’s 20-year boom: ABARES
Australian agriculture is growing, adaptable, more productive, and well placed to take advantage of the transition to net zero, according to the latest ABARES Snapshot of Australian Agriculture 2026 Insights paper.
