Australia and the mother country race each other to the bottom
After more than a century of Federation and countless social experiments, you'd think Australia would have learned from the mother country how not to wreck an economy or an immigration system. Yet here we are in 2025, shackled to laws and institutions that guarantee only one thing: the slow, grinding slide down the global economic ladder.
Basin Plan chickens return to roost
The trail of destruction that is the politically charged Murray Darling Basin Plan may have had its time in the sun as failings are laid bare. The court case of irrigators vs the MDBA, and last week’s suspension of NSW environmental water delivery has clearly demonstrated what locals have been concerned about, but remained unheard due to the dramatic power imbalance between the arbiter of truth, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, and the political aspirations of the politicians involved.
Government ordered to release Defence helicopter crash investigation: Roberts
The Government has been ordered to release an investigation into the Whitsundays helicopter crash that killed four Defence Force airmen. One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts secured a Senate order to have the national workplace health and safety regulator (Comcare) brief of evidence and investigation into the Taipan helicopter crash released.
Wine industry catastrophe?
Hugh Schuitemaker. Peak representative bodies say the Riverland is at risk of "long-term economic" catastrophe, unless direct support is provided for the South Australian wine industry. The Advertiser on Monday reported local grape growers were "grappling with one of the worst crises to hit the industry".
Council recognises Covid concerns
The Covid concerns raised by people at recent community meetings discussing the impact of vaccinations have been recognised by Council now they have to advocate for answers.
Sussan Ley appeals to Bendigo Bank executive
Member for Farrer and leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley recently met with the Chief Executive of Bendigo Bank, Richard Fennell following the closure of several branches in Farrer. Ms Ley said she "made a point" of travelling to the Adelaide office of Mr Fennell to discuss the recent decision to close regional branches ...
Moonta Mines on path to World Heritage
The World Heritage bid for the Australian Cornish Mining Sites: Burra and Moonta is on track, with hopes of achieving recognition by July 2029. UK-based world heritage consultant Barry Gamble visited Moonta Mines last week and gave an update on the bid to National Trust of South Australia Moonta branch volunteers at the Moonta School of Mines.
Algae mural an ‘ocean coat of arms’
Sarah Herrmann. Marion Bay Community Centre is home to a new mural calling on the federal government to classify the algal bloom as a natural disaster. Sydney artist Patrick Hunter drove more than 1600 kilometres to donate his time and talent, painting a vibrant depiction of the giant cuttlefish and weedy sea dragon — iconic native species threatened by the unprecedented marine crisis.
Voucher tourism
Sarah Herrmann. Coastal regions impacted by the algal bloom are set to benefit from a travel voucher program this spring. The Coast Is Calling, delivered by the South Australian Tourism Commission, will release 20,000 vouchers for accommodation and experiences valued at up to $500 ahead of the September school holidays.
Rural Australians miss out on $8.35 billion in healthcare every year – and it’s getting worse: NRHA
Rural Australians are missing out on $1,090.47 in healthcare funding per person every year, compared to city residents – a funding gap the National Rural Health Alliance warns is costing lives. "The Forgotten Health Spend: A Report on the Expenditure Deficit in Rural Australia" tells a story of how we starve our rural Australians of healthcare access," said Susi Tegen, NRHA Chief Executive.
Farmer frustration highlighted in inaugural farmer survey: VFF
Huge increases to the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, crumbling regional roads, maintaining our biosecurity and forcing renewable energy infrastructure developments on communities topping the list of concerns in the Victorian Farmers Federation’s (VFF) inaugural State of the State: Victorian Farmer Priorities Survey.
New data shows emissions down in year to March 2025: Bowen
Australia is tracking well to meet its 2030 climate pollution target, with new emissions data showing emissions fell by 1.4 per cent or 6.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in the year to March 2025 ... In that period, 440.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions were recorded, which is 28 per cent below 2005 levels...
Smaller government and no net zero – Real roundtable delivers “frank advice”: Canavan
Queensland Senator Matt Canavan’s REAL productivity roundtable has delivered frank advice to lift Australia’s freefalling productivity rate. Senator Canavan convened the real productivity roundtable ... to discuss the real issues impacting Australians’ standard of living.
Labor pits funding against farmers in algae bloom disaster: Littleproud
Labor is pitting funding that is meant to be set aside for farmers going through hardship, to pay for South Australia’s environmental algae bloom disaster ... “The Nationals are not against funding to fix the algae bloom problem in South Australia – in fact, we support it – but Labor should not be taking funding from the RIC,” Mr Littleproud said.
Farmers say “no!”
Hundreds of farmers at Marnoo today are telling the Victorian Labor Government they do not want VNI West, they do not want WRL and they don't want their farmland made into renewable infrastructure," said Dr Anne Webster MP, Member for Mallee and Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Local Government, Territories and Regional Communications.
Making the most of our offshore energy potential: Bowen
The Albanese Government is supporting the emerging offshore renewable industry to develop new technology and unlock the sector’s full potential. Today we are releasing new guidance to help developers, researchers, scientists and other interested parties apply for Research and Demonstration licences in declared offshore zones, establishing a home for offshore renewables research, as well as commercial generation projects.
Irrigators got their day in court
It might have been six years in the making but irrigators across northern Victoria and the Riverina have finally got their day in court with the MDBA. The MDBA used overbank transfers to flood the bush four times during 2017-2019 which resulted in little or zero allocation for irrigators, causing extreme financial and mental stress.
Floodway upgrade complete on rural road
Upgrades have finished on the Jimna Springs Road Floodway over Umbiram Creek at Southbrook, completed by Toowoomba Regional Council. The upgrade was delivered through Betterment funding as part of the broader 2022 Flood Recovery Program.
Push for four day working week
The push for a four-day working week will be discussed an Economic Reform Roundtable this week as support from unions to deliver improved productivity under the model grows. The Economic Reform Roundtable to be held from at Parliament House from August 19 to 21.
New hub a community legacy
Christine Webster. The completion of the $4.6m Waikerie Riverfront Community Hub was celebrated with a Grand Opening at the venue on Saturday, attended by about 100 people. Waikerie Football Club president Brendan Sidhu officially welcomed those who attended the event, including Barker MP Tony Pasin, Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone, and Elizabeth MP Lee Odenwalder...
DCCEEW hits back at Dalton’s water theft claims
The NSW department responsible for delivering water to the environment, and setting water allocations, has hit back at Member for Murray Helen Dalton MP's claims that water is being stolen from irrigators. The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) said Ms Dalton's claims of water theft are incorrect.
Landmark water mismanagement trial against MDBA underway
A landmark class action legal battle against the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) commenced last week in the New South Wales Supreme Court. After six long years, the case – alleging water mismanagement by the MDBA and brought by thousands of farmers - is finally getting its day in court.
