Politics

The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) has formally called on the federal government to overhaul Medicare structures, claiming current policies are restricting equitable access to primary care for millions of residents in rural and remote Australia.

Germany is investing €50m ($58m) in a rare earth mine north of Alice Springs, near Aileron, in a bid to secure access to the crucial materials for German businesses, according to Economy Minister Katherina Reiche.

The City of Wanneroo, Shire of Gingin and WALGA have been asked if local governments have any concerns about not being able to provide services such as waste collection services as the fuel crisis potentially escalates in coming weeks.

Australia has just signed up to a free trade agreement with the European Union, which is being sold—predictably—as a great leap forward for the inner city consumer ... Out in the paddock, however, the mood is less celebratory. Because the small print tells a more familiar story. Australian once again, signed a deal where farmers pay the costs.

Ten million people now call regional Australia home, and Western Australia is leading the way with its regional population growing faster than the cities, according to a deep dive into the latest population statistics released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). 

The installation of Maldon Community Battery has been finalised, complete with its bold surface design by Dja Dja Wurrung artist Daikota Nelson. The TT [Tarrangower Times] has been in touch with Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters, who was a key champion of the project, to find out what she thought about the outcome.

The Scottish town in Australia will come alive this weekend when the Lower Clarence Scottish Association presents the 121st Maclean Highland Gathering. On April 3 and 4, the sights and sounds of pipe bands and solo piping featuring some of Australia’s and the world’s best, will be complimented by the beauty and grace of highland dancing and the spectacular athleticism of the highland games.

Families who use childcare and early education centres run by Central Coast Council are furious with the plan to raise fees by 10% and worried about what it means for their working future. One called it a cash grab, another said it was a rip off ... "disgusting cash grab from Council"...

Harmony Day was celebrated in Nhill on Saturday at Jaypex Park, with a number of countries represented through stalls and performances, including the Karen community, Samoan, New Zealand, Karen, Nepalese and Philippino. There were plenty of craft activities, including Samoan Lolly Lai necklace making, Maori Poi making for the Poi dance, pot painting, and free popcorn, all helping celebrate the rich cultural diversity within the shire.

Scenic Rim Regional Council has reaffirmed its support and commitment to agritourism across the region with a focus on community safety, responsible land use and long-term sustainability. A report presented at yesterday's Ordinary Meeting outlined significant progress made over the past year - including stakeholder engagement, compliance activities and collaboration with industry and government partners - concerning camping-related short-term accommodation.

TasFarmers welcomes the Tasmanian Government’s decision to update its gene technology policy, enabling farmers to access advanced plant breeding technology. TasFarmers CEO Nathan Calman said the decision reflects a practical, evidence-based step forward for the state’s agricultural sector.

A push to increase the mayor’s pay has split Naracoorte Lucindale Council, with councillors clashing over rising demands of the role - and whether ratepayers should foot the bill. At the March council meeting, chaired by deputy mayor Cr Abigail Goodman in the absence of mayor Patrick Ross, elected members voted to formally lobby the Remuneration Tribunal of South Australia to review and potentially increase mayoral allowance - and to “delink” the mayor’s allowance from the councillors.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s (MDBA) own analysis shows further water buybacks are unlikely to deliver significant improvements in environmental objectives across the Basin and zero improvements in any Victorian river systems including the Victorian Murray.

Australian fruit and vegetable growers are missing out of sales of up to one million tonnes of produce that never makes it to market, estimated at up to $2.5 billion a year. In response, a new national research program aims to help farmers keep more value from every harvest by tackling surplus and losses on-farm.

The NSW Government is boosting freight efficiency to keep goods moving and help reduce pressure on fuel supply in NSW, working closely with the Commonwealth and other states under the new National Fuel Security Plan. In line with Level 2 of the Plan - Keeping Australia Moving - these measures will increase access to the road network for larger trucks that can carry more goods in a single trip, and ease restrictions on operating hours.

The Finocchiaro CLP Government has enacted the Price Exploitation Prevention Act for the first time, since its inception in 1949, in an unprecedented move to manage the on-going fuel crisis.

Michelle Daw. The Liberal Party has requested a recount in the seat of Narungga, with the result still undecided after a knife-edge finish. As of 10am on Monday, March 31, One Nation candidate Chantelle Thomas was leading by just 77 votes, holding 12,078 votes (50.2 per cent) on preferences, ahead of Liberal candidate Tania Stock on 12,001 votes (49.8 per cent).

Following a meeting of the National Cabinet ... the Australian Government will halve the fuel excise on petrol and diesel for three months ... is acting to shield Australia against any future fuel supply chain disruptions, by establishing new fuel security powers, enabling government to work with fuel suppliers to keep fuel flowing to Australia.

As the Iran–USA–Israel conflict ripples through global fertiliser markets, Western Australian farmers are discovering just how fragile their supply chains really are. At the centre of it is CSBP, which has reached for the force majeure clause in its contracts to step away from its contractual obligations.