Feds can’t rest on competition reform: NSW Farmers
Farmers are calling on the Federal Government to implement competition reforms that will tackle cost of living pressures. NSW Farmers CEO Pete Arkle said the ACCC had made a number of recommendations in its 2020 Perishable Agricultural Goods Inquiry that would bring food prices down for consumers, but so far they had been largely ignored.
Devil’s in the detail of new 10 per cent biosecurity tax: Barry Large, GPA
The devil’s in the detail of the federal budget’s announcement of a new 10 per cent Biosecurity Protection Levy ... Federal Agriculture Minister, Murray Watt, has proposed raising $47.5 million per year across all producers from the added 10 per cent levy, as part of a ‘sustainable’ funding model for biosecurity protections ... we don’t know what the value proposition is for grains and if it will actually deliver better protections.
State of the Industry 2022: TRA
TRA has now published the State of the Industry 2022 report. This annual report presents a snapshot of Australia’s visitor economy in 2022.
Atlas brings muscle to Australia’s clean energy future: King
An industry-led, wide-scale search through previously mined and discarded rock and earth could help boost Australia’s global position as a clean energy powerhouse ... Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King said the new Atlas of Australian Mine Waste, could provide industry with additional opportunities to extract valuable resources from previously mined rock and earth.
Let’s talk about a Voice to Parliament
This week is National Reconciliation Week, the crucial annual event observed in Australia to promote reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians ... The Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Maldon, on Djaara Country, is deeply committed to cultivating understanding, respect, and relationships with the Dja Dja Wurrung people, as well as with all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Senator speaks on the “Voice”
Alison McEwen. Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Senator for NT, addressed the Victorian Nationals State Conference held in Creswick ... The attendees were interested to hear that it is estimated that large numbers of the population do want the indigenous First Nations people to be included in the Preamble of the Constitution! This statement coming from an indigenous Senator who is a member of the Nationals, who in turn are saying Vote No to the Voice, was a surprise. Jacinta said this is the most divisive referendum ever held.
Telstra’s “big project” rejected
Telecommunications company Telstra is seeking ratepayer funding to help build towers in the Limestone Coast region as part of a "big project". In a proposal to the Naracoorte-Lucindale Council, a Telstra SA and Tasmania area general manager Michael Patterson outlined Telstra's proposal for the South-East, asking for a five percent funding investment by the council.
Outrage at South Australia’s use of Murray River water
Farming and community groups across the NSW Murray region have come together to express outrage at a revelation that water will be piped from the Murray River to supply a new hydrogen plant in Whyalla. At a time when South Australia keeps screaming that it needs more water for its environment, the groups say this week’s announcement reinforces that its priority appears to be getting as much cheap upstream water as possible, regardless of the national consequences.
Staff and service losses ahead for pharmacies and clients
Australian pharmacies pleas to scrap the 60-day dispensing policy have fallen on deaf ears with the proposal confirmed in the recent budget release. The 60 day dispensing reform will mean that patients will be able to claim double the amount of medication with one script at no extra cost.
Not easy under Albanese for Australian farmers
The Nationals leader and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the first 12 months of an Albanese Labor government had been tough for Australian agriculture, with the full effect to be felt in the coming few years ... Mr Littleproud said farmers and processors were making investment decisions not to plant and not to invest, because the government could not provide them confidence of a stable workforce, which was driving down supply and consumer prices up.
New Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) provider for Hindmarsh
Recipients of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) in Hindmarsh Shire will continue to be able to access their services from 1 July 2023 after the Commonwealth offered the contract to West Wimmera Health Service. The announcement comes after the decision from Hindmarsh Shire Council to cease providing the CHSP service after 30 June, and West Wimmera Health Service receiving a funding offer from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care to take over the service delivery for the whole shire.
Councillors divided over post flood motion
A motion to address community and business concerns following the 2021 and 2022 floods that devastated the region has divided councillors at the May 23 Clarence Valley Council meeting. The motion was moved by Cr Novak and seconded by Cr Alison Whaites before Climate Change Committee CCC chair Cr Greg Clancy asked Cr Novak how many meetings of the committee she had attended.
New Roma LifeFlight chopper base officially opens: Chisholm
LifeFlight Australia’s highly anticipated, brand new Roma helicopter base has officially opened its doors, with a formal ceremony on 30 May 2023, to mark the momentous occasion ... “For people in real need in isolated circumstances – there is no sight better than the vision of a LifeFlight rescue helicopter coming into view during an emergency”: Australian Country Choice CEO Anthony Lee.
Qantas steps up to fill gap
Following Rex Airlines’ decision to exit its operations from Whyalla, Qantas has announced additional flights to help address the gap that will be created by Rex’s departure ... “There is still a lot of work to be done to fill the gaps in service, so we are working extensively with the broader airline industry to explore options to help minimise the impact of Rex’s decision”: Mayor Phill Stone.
Activists ought to be called out on harassment tactics: NFF
Australia’s peak farm body has slammed radical animal rights activists following a spate of illegal and intimidating encounters with law-abiding industry participants, and joined calls for the Government to exclude them from policy making processes. The call follows evidence from the pork industry in yesterday’s Senate Estimates hearings, with Chief Executive of Australian Pork Limited, Margo Andrae, detailing alarming examples of recent protest activity.
The Blueprint Institute’s ‘Branching Out’ report – a critique
‘Branching Out”, the latest report on the NSW native forestry by the Blueprint Institute, was released on 26 April and put into the media with the subeditorial line “Report outlines economic benefit of ending native forest logging’ ... The Report should be marked ‘draft’ given its deficiencies - and that is being generous.
Money, power and guns
Money ... It's time to pull stumps on Metronet and accept we are not New York or London ... Power ... exploring the unforeseen consequences of over-investing in renewables ... Guns ... no logic in capping firearm numbers for recreational shooters, sporting shooters or primary producers ...
No community consultation on bank closures
A senate Inquiry into regional bank closures has forced senior executives of the ANZ Bank into embarrassing admissions which reveals there is never any community consultation before branches are closed. In evidence before the Inquiry sitting at Ingham in Queensland, ANZ senior executives admitted all decisions about branch closures were taken by managers in state capital cities and local communities had no opportunity to voice objections about the impact of branch closures.
NSW Farmers set target for EID
The state’s peak agricultural body says mandatory electronic identification tags for sheep should cost no more than $1 per tag, setting a clear target for state and federal governments ... farmers were still worried about how much the scheme might cost their businesses, and made it clear there must be financial support to implement traceability reform.
Limited tickets remain for River reflections – Narrabri: MDBA
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority's annual water conference River reflections is on in Narrabri on 14–15 June, and the final program is now available. The 2-day forum is a showcase of the communities, industries and ideas in water management and will include an address by MDBA Chair Sir Angus Houston.
Williamson pleads for help for struggling prawn industry
Newly elected Member for Clarence Richie Williamson has called on both the state and federal governments to step up and financially support the struggling Clarence River prawning industry. Mr Williamsons impassioned plea via a private members bill in NSW Parliament last week is a month after he joined forces with Federal National’s Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, to financially assist the industry where about 50 locals haven’t received an income for 18 weeks.
The facts on regional road programs: King
The Albanese Government’s review of the Infrastructure Investment Program will consider how the Commonwealth can further support local councils through much needed road funding programs such as Roads to Recovery Program and Black Spot Program. We know how important these programs are to local communities, especially in our regions, and the Government is committed to ensuring these programs continue to deliver for communities in the best way possible over the long term.
