Labor tells desperate councils – your situation isn’t urgent, financial viability not a priority: Webster
The Coalition has attacked the lack of urgency in addressing financial sustainability for Australia’s 537 local governments, as the Albanese Labor government quietly reinstated a sustainability inquiry - something the Coalition has been calling for since early June.
Government welcomes parliamentary inquiry into local government sustainability: McBain
The Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport has accepted the Albanese Government’s referral of an Inquiry into Local Government Sustainability. This is something the sector has been calling for since the initial Inquiry lapsed in May when the 47th Parliament of Australia was dissolved.
Is there life after the ban on live sheep exports? Bindi Murray from Sheep Producers joins No Drama Farmer with some good news!
Is there life after the ban on live sheep exports? Bindi Murray joins us from Sheep Producers Australia with some good news! Plus we catch up with local legend Mat Dunn from Beacon who is in Harvest for an update and all of your local weather with Jessica Lingard from the Bureau (of Meteorology).
RCA welcomes inquiries into regional aviation
Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) has welcomed the release of the terms of reference for two inquiries into regional aviation. The first, a Productivity Commission inquiry into the key factors that determine regional airfares. The second, a Senate committee inquiry into the state of Australia’s aviation sector and its ability to deliver reliable and affordable services to rural, regional and remote communities.
Pine Gap fortress in the middle of town?
Alice Springs is a town of fences and this one is the granddaddy of them all: it surrounds what is apparently a Pine Gap facility, between McDonald and Whittaker streets, behind the Harvey Norman store. The owner of Lot 9145 is the Commonwealth of Australia.
South-East Asian mission highlights importance of regional partnerships for trade and food security: NFF
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has joined industry colleagues and Australian Government officials on a week-long mission to strengthen ties with key South-East Asian partners. NFF Interim Chief Executive Su McCluskey is taking part in the Food Security Mission to Indonesia and Brunei, led by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) this week.
GrainGrowers responds to carbon tax debate
A key panel session at the Digital Agrifood Summit exploring Denmark's proposed carbon tax on agriculture has highlighted the need to avoid simplistic comparisons between Australian and European models. GrainGrowers CEO Shona Gawel said the summit, attended by leaders across agriculture, technology, and policy, prompted robust discussion about the relevance and risks of similar mechanisms in the Australian context.
The Australian crocodile industry’s problematic trio
Australia's export-oriented crocodile industry depends on public opinion in foreign countries and the actions of legislators in those countries. This is the industry's primary problem. Two secondary problems arise from this. Australia's crocodile industry has too little economic potential, and lobbying regulations in Australia are too imperfect for Australian farmers to quickly follow global trends.
Albanese Labor Government delivers new Pakistan market access for Australian farmers: Collins
Pakistan has approved market access for Genetically Modified (GM) canola from Australia. Australia is a trusted and reliable supplier of canola to Pakistan, with non-GM canola exports valued at $506 million in the last financial year – making Pakistan one of Australia’s top markets for canola.
Letter to the Editor – Concerns for the Victorian Government’s push for critical minerals: Mine Free Glenaladale
The Victorian Labor Government is claiming critical minerals will develop jobs and regional growth and boost local economies. Mine Free Glenaladale and the community it represents in East Gippsland disputes this claim by the Government, as there is a high probability existing jobs and industries would be adversely affected by a proposal of a mineral sands mine 25 kilometres west of Bairnsdale.
Freight services return to Wadeye: Edgington
The Northern Territory Government welcomes confirmation that Top End Barge Services will commence barge operations between Darwin and Wadeye from mid-November, ensuring freight deliveries to the West Daly region ... “This is a great result for Wadeye, the community came together, identified what it needed, and found a commercial solution": Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Steve Edgington.
Australia Post fat cats: Webster, McIntosh, Violi
Shadow Minister for Communications, Melissa McIntosh said, “we’ve seen job cuts, price increases and reduced mail delivery but eight executives have taken home a whopping $6.8 million in bonuses and that’s on top of their $7.8 million in salaries.”
Haines urges stronger focus on the regions in environment overall
Independent Federal Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines, will propose key amendments to new environmental laws to be debated in Parliament this week. Dr Haines welcomed the re-introduction of reforms to Australia’s environment laws as long overdue, but stressed the need for greater transparency and meaningful community consultation to be embedded in the legislation.
Cheaper electricity, secure jobs and lower emissions: Littleproud
...The Nationals are announcing an all-energy approach, to deliver the lowest possible electricity prices for Australian households and businesses, while maintaining reliability and lowering emissions. ??Australia can’t afford Labor’s Net Zero plan, which Labor cannot achieve anyway.
Public misled for decades over koala numbers: Kemp
The latest national koala population estimates from CSIRO’s National Koala Monitoring Program (NKMP) have revealed a staggering leap in koala numbers that upends years of alarmism. The 2025 CSIRO report estimates the listed population between 398,000 and 569,000, a dramatic rise from the 2024 estimate of just 95,000 to 238,000.
The Riverina State Group applies to register as political party
The Riverina State Group has submitted an application with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to register as a political party named The Riverina State. The objective of The Riverina State Group is to form the Riverina of NSW and the northern areas of Victoria into a State separate from both NSW and Victoria. The application included a list of 1646 members and was submitted on October 17.
A ‘great day’ for Bookmark Creek
Hugh Schuitemaker. Significant infrastructure upgrades at Renmark's Bookmark Creek – allowing for improved natural water flows, better conditions for native fish and other species, and greater recreational opportunities – have been completed.
Bureau of Meteorology’s new website needs review: Littleproud
Leader of The Nationals and Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud is calling for a review of the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) new website, following a flood of complaints from locals. Mr Littleproud said it was clear Maranoa locals were not given the information they needed after the recent rain event...
Productivity Commission inquiry into regional airfares: Chalmers, King
...the Albanese Government released the terms of reference for the Productivity Commission Inquiry into key factors that determine regional airfares.
Fatal flaws: what regional Australians need to know about cash plan
There are fatal flaws in the Federal Government’s draft cash mandate regulations and they can be traced back to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's refusal to respond to Senate recommendations to fix the banking crisis in regional Australia.
Suspected H5 bird flu in elephant seals at Australian sub-Antarctic Island: DAFF, DCCEEW
Australian scientists have observed signs consistent with H5 avian influenza (bird flu) in wildlife during a management voyage to sub-Antarctic Heard Island ... Scientists observed unusual levels of mortality in elephant seals on Heard Island in recent days.
Resuscitated Rex must deliver service, not same old failures: Katter
Gulf and North West deserve service, not continued failures, Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and Member for Traeger Robbie Katter has said. Mr Katter reiterated his call for genuine reform to air transport services in the region, noting that the fleet that the new American owners have acquired is not fit for purpose in the Gulf.
