Government acts on NFF’s call for a biosecurity strategy
The Government has heeded the National Farmers Federation's call for a strategy to underpin Australia's biosecurity system, with today's release of Commonwealth Biosecurity 2030. "Achieving a risk-based biosecurity system that effectively, efficiently and sustainably protects Australia’s health, economic, environmental and national security interests is essential to protecting Australia’s $62 billion agriculture industry," NFF CEO Tony Mahar said.
State-Federal Government cooperation on Farm Resilience Program welcomed
The National Farmers Federation has welcomed recent announcements on the roll-out of the Future Drought Fund’s (FDF) Farm Business Resilience Program, a program that will provide practical training for farms on strategic business management, natural resource management, and personal and social resilience. "This program will be crucial in building our farmers fundamental business and strategic planning skills with respect to resilience and preparedness," NFF CEO Tony Mahar said.
Reconciliation Week theme encourages action
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is almost here and this year’s theme ‘More than a word, Reconciliation takes action’ is all about Australians making impactful social change. Events are happening throughout Geraldton as well as online from Wednesday 26 May to Thursday 3 June, and most of them are free.
Scherger is ready – Weipa base locked in for joint exercise
Weipa's air force base will play host to soldiers from Australia and the United States in a couple of months as Defence prepares for a major training exercise ... RAAF Base Scherger has been locked in to play a role and Weipa residents should expect to see some aerial activity around the site in July ... Last year’s Defence strategic update said Australia might now have fewer than 10 years to prepare for a major conflict.
NAIF reforms pass through Parliament boosting investment opportunities for the north
Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia, Keith Pitt, said the Bill means the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) will now be extended for a further five years to 2026. “The NAIF has already committed $2.9 billion to projects across the north that will support around 9,000 jobs. Our changes will increase its ability to back even more projects."
$233.8 million to improve, protect soils
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said $233.6 million in new funding will be used to help implement the National Soil Strategy and associated measures as part of the Commonwealth Interim Action Plan ... Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the government was committing an additional $37 million in the 2021–22 Budget to support a National Soil Carbon Innovation Challenge.
Viewpoint from “Euralie”, Yass – reshoring wool processing and manufacturing
Australia produces 80% of the wool used to manufacture the world’s woollen clothing and 80% of such wool is sent to China for processing and manufacturing. In recent times, our trading relationship with China has deteriorated and there is now the possibility that China may cease importing Australian wool.
St. Josh and the socialisation of the Australian media
Kookaburra has been watching with dark humour the gyrations around the News Media Bargaining Code. Much pomp and circumstance surrounded the Federal Government's announcement of its intention to rush into the fray and to become the St. George to the Google and Facebook dragons, protecting the sacred rights of Australian publishers to be supported in one way or another by ... government ... in return for ... favourable coverage perhaps?
More work needed to close bush connectivity gap
"The passage of the Telecommunications Reform Package and the successful design and promotion of the newly created Regional Tech Hub are two examples of where Government has listened to the needs of regional communities," Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) CEO, Teresa Corbin said. "Now in its fifth year of advocacy, the RRRCC has made considerable progress in raising the profile of communication needs for regional, rural and remote Australians. However, there is still a long way to go to close the digital divide."
Annual forum to discuss top plant disease risk
“Xylella is one of the most significant emerging plant disease threats worldwide, and we are fortunate that it is not present in Australia,” said Andrew Tongue, Head of Biosecurity at DAWE. “Xylella has been identified as Australia’s top National Priority Plant Pest in recognition of its potential to severely affect Australia’s plant industries and environment."
Pitt’s pledge on export markets rings hollow
Madeleine King MP, Shadow Minister for Trade, Shadow Minister for Resources, Media Release. The Morrison Government’s poor record on trade diversification has again been highlighted by its announcement of a vague $20 million strategy to build new markets for Australian resources exports. Resources Minister Keith Pitt said today his Global Resources Strategy would develop closer relationships with key trading partners through better engagement at both government and industry levels.
New global resources strategy to help diversify exports
The Hon Keith Pitt MP, Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia and Mr Phillip Thompson OAM, MP, Member for Herbert, Joint Media Relase. The Coalition Government is investing $20 million in a Global Resources Strategy which will help diversify exports and find new markets for Australia’s resources and technology. Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt launched the new global strategy in Townsville with Member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson. Minister Pitt said it will help to strengthen Australian resources exports and promote Australia as a reliable and responsible supplier to the world.
Local tradies on site as work begins on Wiigulga Sports Complex
As major work begins on the Wiigulga Sports Complex, 12 local sub-contractors and consultants who have been engaged to date to work with Lahey Constructions on the build were welcomed to the site today by Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan MP, State Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh MP and Coffs Harbour Mayor Councillor Denise Knight. More local sub-contractors will join the ranks as the project progresses.
Answers – and more time needed on Basin Plan projects
Another Basin Plan Minister’s meeting, more disappointment and ongoing uncertainty for the communities of the Basin. That was the conclusion of the Murray River Group of Councils Chair, Cr Jason Modica after Ministers again failed to agree to plan for key Basin Plan projects that will deliver 605GL worth of environmental benefits.
Three tiers of Govt sign to show it’s still a Deal!
Marking the second anniversary of the signing of Australia’s first ever regional deal – all three tiers of government joined to show their recommitment to the Barkly Regional Deal. Federal Minister Nola Marino, Minister Selena Uibo and Barkly Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin signed a Statement of Recommitment at the Council Chambers to make a clear commitment to working together with the community, continue to seek input from the local community, business leaders, youth and investors, and support Aboriginal leadership in the region.
Win for Australian wine in Canada
Australia and Canada have settled the remaining measures in Australia’s World Trade Organization challenge to Canadian wine measures. Under the settlement, Canada has agreed to the phased removal of discriminatory measures imposed by the province of Quebec, which disadvantaged Australian wine producers.
Indigenous Voice on the agenda across Cape
Western Cape communities have been urged to have their say on the Indigenous Voice process after workshops were held in the region last week. Prominent Indigenous leader Professor Marcia Langton was joined by Yarrabah mayor Ross Andrews for talks in Napranum, Weipa and Aurukun. The sessions were to discuss the key points of the Indigenous Voice report, released in January, and to garner feedback to take to the federal government.
ACCC trading review released
Under the government lead water reforms, water trading is mostly unregulated, not even requiring an ABN to trade water. “There is no law against market manipulation in the Murray-Darling Basin water markets,” ACCC deputy chair, Mr Keogh said. “So, it’s not illegal, even if it is occurring.” In Australia we now have multinational corporates, foreign buyers and the big end of town able to buy, trade and, in some instances, remain capital gains tax free as they bid for water against Aussie food and fibre producers.
Commonwealth, Queensland on front line for fighting fire ants
“Red imported fire ants are one of the world’s worst invasive species due to their devastating economic, environmental and social impacts, They are a danger to people and our way of life, destroy agricultural and domestic infrastructure, and are a serious environmental threat."
State backs bridge rebuilding bonanza
Geoff Helisma. The NSW Government has granted $30.8 million in funding to Clarence Valley Council (CVC) to replace 31 timber bridges in the Clarence Valley. The council was successful with 31 of 32 applications to the Fixing Country Bridges (FCB) program. Staff wrote in the report to yesterday’s March 30 CVC meeting that it was “an unprecedented amount of funding for timber bridge replacements in the Clarence Valley over the next two years”.
A message to MP Pitt from Dr Peter Barker, OAM, Cohuna
"You are surrounded by the passionate custodians of the southern Murray Darling Basin. I deal with these ladies, gentleman, and their kids on a daily basis and when they are sad or vulnerable, I hear the stories. So, what is it that is driving some to want to sell the farm as a best counselled option after weeks of therapy as opposed to the suicide planned when the wife brings her husband in the night at the point of desperation. I’m going to talk about some of the straws that are breaking backs and what follows is extracted from many conversations I have had with troubled farmers when they see a problem with no solution, they can influence ..."
Strategy would make path to $300B by 2030 less steep
John Lloyd, Agribusiness Australia. This is not a critique of the National Farmers Federation’s laudable $100 billion aspiration. Agribusiness Australia’s own ambition is built on continuity with the NFF platform, and also to ensure it becomes reality. But it’s just a matter of seeing trend against target.
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