Review finds Indigenous groups want more involvement
Timber harvesting was not a concern of Gippsland Indigenous groups, who overwhelmingly want to be involved in direct management of forests before, during and after bushfires, the RFA Major Event Review of the 2019-20 bushfires found ... “Traditional Owners seek to be managing fire directly, with their own crews and equipment. They see themselves as fire givers, not firefighters.”
GPA urges government to listen and act on 10 per cent biosecurity tax: GPA
Australian grain producers have delivered another firm message to Canberra about their unambiguous opposition to paying the Federal Government’s proposed 10 per cent biosecurity levy ... “GPA understands the Federal Government’s intent to deliver a sustainable funding model for biosecurity, but the proposed policy fails to deliver this outcome on multiple levels”: GPA Chair and WA grain producer, Barry Large.
Producers oppose levy over poor policy: NFF biosecurity protection levy submission
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has told the Federal Government it opposes a new biosecurity levy on farmers, saying the proposed levy may erode farmer confidence in the entire levy system. In the NFF’s submission to the Introduction of the Biosecurity Protection Levy: Consultation Paper, Chief Executive Tony Mahar said while the peak farming body supports ongoing efforts to ensure Australia’s biosecurity system is well resourced, it does not support this policy.
Australia must restore the Federation and devolve power to the States and to Local Government
The resounding defeat of the Voice referendum demonstrates, once again, that far too much of day-to-day life in Australia is being dictated by remote and disconnected from the population elites ... The big lesson from the recent referendum is that people want to make their own decisions. They do not need ‘help’ from the elites, who know nothing about how life actually transpires in most of Australia.
Murray–Darling Basin Authority communique, October 2023
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) met on 11 October in person on Ngunnawal Country (Canberra) ... Having returned from a 4-day listening tour of the lower Murray across South Australia and Victoria, Sir Angus shared reflections from farmers, local governments, First Nations, and communities impacted by the 2022 and 2023 floods who now face the prospect of hot and drying conditions.
NFF urges a rethink on fraught industrial relations Bill: NFF
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has sent a clear message to the Albanese Government: The Closing Loopholes Bill is fraught with issues that will make it harder and more expensive than ever to create employment opportunities in farming. The NFF Workforce Committee Chair Tony York told the Senate Committee responsible for the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Bill would only add layers of complexity to the industrial relations system, push up costs and make doing business more difficult than ever before.
Community plans to bolster regional drought resilience: Watt, Spence
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt and Victorian Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced the Drought Resilience Plans for the Gippsland, Goulburn and Wimmera Southern Mallee regions have been finalised. These are the first of nine regional communities across the state to develop community-led Regional Drought Resilience Plans through the Future Drought Fund’s Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program, jointly funded by the Albanese and Allan Governments.
Voice – yes or no? Two days to go.
... by head of population, we have about 10 times the nation’s Indigenous population, several Indigenous languages are alive and well, and Aboriginal people have freehold possession of half the “state’s” land. Our two Senators are Aboriginal but on opposite sides. The NT was the birthplace of the Uluru Statement from the Heart ... the Alice Springs News major pieces on the Voice collected here reflect the passions and conflicts of this controversial period in our public life.
Regions need to feed into the grid – communities must be consulted
The failure to properly consult with regional communities affected by large-scale renewable energy projects and transmission infrastructure risks delaying or de- railing the transition to a decarbonised energy grid, according to Federal Member for Indi, Helen Haines. In a submission to the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner’s Community Engagement Review, Dr Haines has called for regional communities to be meaningfully involved in the planning of renewable energy projects and receive structural benefit and regional development from these projects.
Reliable connectivity
The district is in urgent need of a robust and reliable telecommunications infrastructure that can support economic growth, create an inclusive community, and help safely manage emergencies. For many years, many stakeholders in the region have called for an improved digital infrastructure that reduces blackspot areas, boosts internet access, and connects the public to essential services.
Govt official says Voice will improve services, cut costs
Patricia Gill. Public servant of 30-plus years, Albany Noongar man Ken Kelly, says a Voice to Parliament will improve social outcomes and reduce future costs. Speaking at the Yes Campaign Walk on September 30, Mr Kelly sees a Voice as a way of keeping the Government of the day on track.
Farmers in Labor’s new superannuation firing line
Labor's superannuation changes are set to disproportionately impact family farms held in self-managed super funds (SMSF) if they exceed new thresholds. Leader of The Nationals, and Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said family farms, particularly where their properties are in a SMSF, would be hit the hardest by Labor's superannuation tax grab.
Remote voting issues for Referendum – Message from Hon. Mark Coulton, Member for Parkes
Residents from the Ivanhoe area have contacted my office recently to advise that they weren't made aware of a Remote Voter Services team visiting the town ahead of the 2023 Referendum on a Voice to Parliament. I reached out to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) as I believe there's an assumption that people Australia-wide receive all of their information online.
No stopping nation’s nuclear discussion now: Katter
Solutions to the nation’s growing energy crisis, which has seen Australian electricity bills rise by up to 20 per cent over the past 12 months, were debated by energy experts, industry leaders and rural and regional representatives in a first-of-its-kind outback energy forum in Mount Isa ... Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter’s Mount Isa Nuclear Power Forum saw dozens converge in the industrial city that is surrounded by “legally un-mineable” uranium deposits.
When next drought hits … farmers left high and dry
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says claims by Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek that Basin farmers are thriving under a decade of water buybacks is untrue, and the reality is farmers are fearing the next big dry ... “The truth is her own Department website produces a summary table of all recoveries and it clearly states 12.2GL has been recovered with a further 13.8GL under contract. That's a total of 26GL towards the 450GL, not the 2GL she keeps suggesting”: VFF Water Council chairperson Andrew Leahy.
Australia’s preparation for major bushfires: John O’Donnell
It is the author’s belief that Australia is not adequately prepared for upcoming bushfires. To be frank, we as a society have learnt very little following 2019/20, especially in regards to bushfire mitigation. Communities, firefighters and the ecosystems are highly exposed over the coming El Nino period and a lot of bushfire skills have been lost. Disaster and insurance costs are going up every year and will continue to go up with current adapted approaches.
The Buloke Times editorial: Qatar block and farm exports
There is no doubt that Australian airline Qantas has lost some of its shine recently. Events in the recent past include the departure of CEO Alan Joyce, pocketing a "golden handshake" which is said to total $14 million; the new CEO apologising for the poorer performance of her airline; and the scandal of selling tickets for flights that Qantas knew had been cancelled.
Divisive referendum
The debate on the upcoming vote for the Australian Indigenous Voice referendum has become “divisive” in the region, says Member of Barker Tony Pasin ... “Differences of opinion and robust debate in an MP’s office are to be expected and indeed encouraged, but the tirade of abuse directed at my staff (I was interstate) was totally unacceptable ... Ordinarily, a constitutional convention is held prior to a referendum to seek consensus."
Wake up Australia – Renewable energy won’t save the planet if it costs the earth: Robert Onfray
Robert Onfray. I am not sure many people are fully aware of the massive engineering changes currently underway in our rural landscape. The changes are on a scale never attempted in this country before, and it is swallowing obscene amounts of money for minimal benefit and, indeed, no proof it will improve the climate ... Australian Rural & Regional News will open a page for discussion on this comprehensive and provocative article on the renewable energy transition.
Farm incomes to fall due to drier conditions and lower prices: ABARES
After 2 record years, broadacre farm incomes are forecast to fall significantly in 2023–24 due to drier conditions and lower prices for agricultural commodities, especially livestock. ABARES Executive Director Dr Jared Greenville said that, at a national level, average farm cash income for broadacre farms is expected to decrease 41 per cent to $197,000 per farm in 2023–24, representing a fall in incomes back to levels seen 3 years ago.
Weir voting ‘no’
Local state Member for Condamine Pat Weir has revealed he will be voting no at the Australian Indigenous Voice referendum. In the past, when asked how he will vote Mr Weir has said he would take time to look at both sides of the debate before making an informed decision. Among his concerns was if the issue warrants amending the Constitution.
MDBA seeks blood letting
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has put its full support behind a proposed legislative change to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan ... The Authority has been the arbiter of truth, with them holding the reins on running the rivers (to the SA border), implementing the plan, reviewing their own work, setting the terms of reference for independent reviews of their own work, managing community concerns and even running defence for the lower lakes.
