Interstate farmers unite in the face of transmission lines
Victorian and Tasmanian farmer peak bodies have produced a policy for developers who want to build infrastructure, such as transmission lines for renewable energy, across their farmland. They warned that since the year 2000, Australia’s available arable land had been reduced by 15 per cent, much of it lost to infrastructure development and urban sprawl. The policy has been released as Gippsland farmers face plans for pipelines and transmission lines across their land as part of the state government’s energy policy, which aims to link offshore wind farms to the Latrobe Valley energy network.
Coalition, Greens and independents unite to back farmers: NFF
Australian farmers welcome the support of Coalition, Greens and independent MPs, who voted together in opposition to the Biosecurity Protection Levy ... National Farmers’ Federation President David Jochinke said while farmers were disappointed to see the controversial levy progress to the Senate, it was encouraging to see MPs validating the industry’s strong concerns.
“Delay 3G shutdown” after inquiry established: Roberts
The Senate has voted in favour of a One Nation motion establishing an inquiry into the looming 3G mobile network shutdown. One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts said telecommunications companies must delay the 3G shutdown until the inquiry concludes:...
Lower river levels expected for Easter break: MDBA
Following several years of significant rainfall and higher river levels in the Murray during Autumn, river users can expect a return to lower levels this Easter. The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is reminding river users to check conditions and advised communities downstream of Hume Dam that the river may be lower than in recent years over Easter.
Statement on live cattle class action delay: NFF
David Jochinke. Recent news that the Government has requested a nine month delay in proceedings will be a bitter blow to victims of the illegal 2011 live cattle export ban ... There is no reason for this delay besides petty politics ... The Government is meant to be a model litigant.
Regional leaders ready to embrace net zero – but information void still a major hurdle: RAI
“The net zero transition will deliver a fundamental change to the way regional economies operate. Our research has found there is a deep thirst for information specific to how a low-carbon future will play out in a regional context”: Regional Australia Institute CEO, Liz Ritchie.
Australian livestock genetics to strengthen Pakistan cattle herds: DAFF
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) has successfully negotiated new technical market access into Pakistan for bovine semen and embryos. Head of Trade at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Matthew Koval said this was a huge accomplishment for Australia’s germplasm industry.
Campaspe Shire Council invites expressions of interest for new Murray-Darling Basin Plan Community Reference Group
Campaspe Shire Council is inviting representatives of business, agriculture, tourism and other industries, as well as the wider community to consider lodging an expression of interest to join the new Murray-Darling Basin Plan Community Reference Group (MDBP CRG). Campaspe Shire Mayor Cr Rob Amos said Council resolved to establish the group in response to ... Water Amendment (Restoring our Rivers) Act 2023...
Government welcomes parliamentary inquiry into local government sustainability: King, McBain
The long overdue parliamentary inquiry into local government sustainability is good news for the sector, its workers and the communities who rely on this critical level of government. The Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport has accepted the Government’s referral, which comes more than two decades after the last such Parliamentary Inquiry into the sector’s financial capacity.
US pull back on vehicle emissions timings should sound warning in Australia: NFF
The National Farmers’ Federation says news overnight the United States Environmental Protection Agency has altered the timelines of its vehicle emission standards because of impacts on consumers and manufacturers should serve as a caution to the Australian Government about the potential impacts of the proposed New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES).
Group calls for new ads to provide Basin balance
Ongoing community outrage at misleading Australian Government advertisements has led to official complaints by a leading rural organisation. The Murray Regional Strategy Group (MRSG) has submitted formal complaints to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACC) and the Commonwealth Ombudsman. Its complaint relates to Murray-Darling Basin Plan advertisements, amid numerous claims they are inaccurate and misleading.
Farmers call for increased dairy code transparency: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (VFF UDV) is stepping up calls for increased transparency as the ACCC’s Dairy Code of Conduct review continues ... “The Dairy Industry Code review has had an overwhelmingly positive impact for Victorian dairy farmers, but strengthening the Code ... will assist farmers in ensuring long term profitability”: VFF UDV President Bernie Free.
Liberals seek nuclear social licence
With the Latrobe Valley a possible site for a nuclear power station, the federal Opposition has upped the argument for nuclear as a possible way for the nation to lower greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining a reliable and cheaper energy supply.
Letter from a sheep farmer to Senator Ghosh
Hugo Bombora. Dear Senator Varun Ghosh, Congratulations on your recent appointment to the Australian Senate. Nice to bump into you at a wedding last Saturday night. Thanks for the insightful questions. As acknowledged, it’s hard to put together one’s thoughts with Taylor Swift playing in the background. But as promised, here they are via email.
Can this senator save live exports?
Meet newly appointed senator, the former barrister Varun Ghosh who recently took his place in the Senate after he was officially confirmed as Labor’s choice to replace the retiring Patrick Dodson.
... The bit in Ghosh's CV that talks about constitutional law is what every sheep farmer in WA should be interested in, as it hints that our new senator might actually understand the concept of States' rights and that any move to ban a trade that is almost exclusively out of one State may well impinge upon section 52 of the Constitution.
Labor’s new fresh food tax will drive up cost of living: Littleproud
Labor’s legislation on a new fresh food tax has been introduced in Parliament ... Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said Labor’s biosecurity protection levy will charge farmers for the biosecurity costs of importers bringing their product to Australia ... Labor will set the tax rate as a proportion of an industry’s average gross value of production over a three-year period.
Sharing the National Collection: Tiny Texas gallery to host Jan Brown works: Burke, Green
Five bronze sculptures by Australian artist Jan Brown will travel to Texas Regional Gallery in rural southeast Queensland as part of the Albanese Labor Government’s Sharing the National Collection program. Locals and visitors to Texas will be able to enjoy Brown’s striking sculptures of native birds, on loan from the National Gallery of Australia for two years...
Cook Labor Government deserts live sheep export industry: Love
Premier Roger Cook has deserted farmers and shown his true intentions after admitting in Parliament last week to talks with Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt to end the live sheep export industry. Deputy Nationals WA Leader and Member for Roe Peter Rundle MLA asked the Premier … to explain why the Minister for Agriculture had been in secret talks with Canberra around a transition package for farmers.
NFF urges parliament to side with farmers on biosecurity levy: NFF
The National Farmers’ Federation is sending a message to politicians to do the right thing by Australian farmers as debate on the controversial Biosecurity Protection Levy kicks off in the House of Representatives ... NFF President David Jochinke said despite the mounting evidence the levy was poor policy and should be scrapped...
Buloke Times Editorial: Facebook versus local newspapers
One of our pet hates is the phrase: "Yeah, I read about that on Facebook". Gets the hackles up every time. Yes, the person may have read a news report while on the social media platform, but it is almost certain that information was generated elsewhere. Facebook doesn’t employ journalists to engage with local communities and report information relevant to readers. We do.
Mansions for bush communities, courtesy governments?
Over the next 10 years 2700 mansions, at a cost to the taxpayer of $1.5m each, will be spread across Aboriginal communities in the NT outback ... It's simple: $4,000,000,000 divided by 2700 houses equals $1,481,481 per house ... we have asked Mr Albanese and Ms Lawler for a break-up of what the $4 billion will be spent on.
Aboriginal homes across the Barkly set for upgrades after NT and Federal governments announce $4 billion deal
The Territory and Federal Labor governments announced a landmark $4 billion investment this week to improve Aboriginal housing in remote communities across the Territory. The investment will see 2,700 homes built across the Territory’s remote communities in the next 10 years, with 270 homes built each year.
