Politics

On 24 March 2026, Australia and the European Union agreed the Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement. Prime Minister Albanese's optimistic announcement is at odds with the widespread criticism and disappointment evident in the responses from the Victorian Farmers' Federation, Canegrowers, the National Farmers' Federation, Queensland Farmers' Federation and the Australian Lot Feeder's Association

“Expect shenanigans.” This ominous warning was included when news came on the morning of Tuesday 24 March that the debate on the motion to disallow the Albanese Government’s controversial cash mandate regulations had been scheduled to continue in the Senate that day. This Tuesday, Australians were treated to a lesson in filibustering 101 by two grown women who should, quite honestly, be ashamed of themselves.

New data from more than 700 primary producers shows fuel supply is falling short of demand by millions of litres across regional Western Australia, with the most significant gaps in the grain growing regions ... "Time is critical and running out. The Cook Labor Government must intervene immediately and redirect supply to farmers as a matter of absolute urgency. The Premier has the power to act — and he must."

Hugh Schuitemaker. The Riverland's returned State MP says the weekend's election result, which saw a 19 per cent swing away from his party, was a "humbling experience" for him. Tim Whetstone was able to secure his fifth term as Chaffey MP with victory in last Saturday's State Election, where as of late yesterday he had received 6543, or 35.5 per cent, of first preference votes.

Kimberly Grabham and Tertia Butcher. One Nation's candidate for Farrer, David Farley, firmly denied he falsely claimed to have a degree from prestigious Harvard University. In response to a question from The Riverine Grazier during his visit to Hay last week, Mr Farley said he attended Harvard University three times to deliver a course, not as a student.

Nick McBride has apologised to his MacKillop voters and confirmed his political career is over, as a surge toward One Nation reshapes the race. As of midday March 23, with about 70 per cent of votes counted, Mount Gambier councillor, One Nation’s Jason Virgo was leading on provisional first preference votes, with Liberal candidate Rebekah Rosser close behind.

Queensland’s regional theatre sector is set for a new phase of growth, with Cairns-based JUTE Theatre Company appointed as the state’s dedicated industry provider under the refreshed Regional Arts Services Network (RASN).

Anthony Boyle. The past week has confirmed what operators already know: the issue is not whether Australia can source fuel overall. The issue is getting fuel into regional areas, at a price freight businesses can survive. Australia is not facing a broad national fuel shortage.

Students from across Wellington Shire have taken a hands-on step into the world of aviation, experiencing firsthand the career opportunities available right on their doorstep through an Aviation Taster Tour hosted by Wellington Shire Council. Sixteen secondary school students from three Wellington schools took part in the tour on Tuesday 17 March, travelling between West Sale Airport and the Longford Heliport.

Global investment in data centres is accelerating – and Australia is well-placed to lead – but this must happen on terms that benefit the community and deliver for the national interest. The Albanese Government’s National AI Plan, released in December 2025, sets out our ambition: to harness the benefits of AI while ensuring all Australian’s shares the benefits.

The Albanese Government is helping Australia’s trucking industry manage the impacts of the war in the Middle East, ensuring truckies and transport operators are better protected from fuel price rises. With global uncertainty leading to significant impacts on our transport industry, our Government is taking practical action to support the truckies and transport operators who keep the Australian economy moving.

The National Farmers’ Federation welcomes the Federal Government’s decision to commission a National Food Supply Chain Assessment as part of the National Food Security Strategy, but has reiterated its calls for an immediate plan of action for the sector.

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is urging everyday people across the Basin to speak up as public consultation for the Basin Plan Review reaches its halfway mark.

The proposed $2.3 billion Eva Copper mine has been declared a “large resource project” under the Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act 2017, ensuring the Cloncurry and Mount Isa communities benefit directly from its development and operation. The declaration means, if approved, the project will ensure local employment, local procurement and long term social and economic benefits for the Mt Isa and Cloncurry communities.

TasFarmers has warned the Federal Government must immediately quarantine fuel for agriculture or risk disrupting national food production as supply uncertainty deepens across Australia ... “We’ve been clear for weeks, no fuel will mean no food,” Mr Sauer said.

The Casino Greyhound Club has celebrated 90 years since the first race meeting in Casino. On March 18, 1936, the Casino Tattersalls Jockey Club ran its inaugural greyhound racing meeting at Carrington Park, a venue later renamed Queen Elizabeth Park ... Twelve races were run on Friday, March 20 2026 with the club boosting prize money with an additional $2000 added to each race.

In the lead up to the Farrer by-election on May 9, Back Country Bulletin takes a look at those candidates who have stepped forward to contest the seat.

After decades of government inaction, this is the tragic admission this week about Central Australia’s greatest environmental catastrophe: “Despite the very high risk rating of buffel grass it is considered that [it] cannot be feasibly eradicated from the NT at this time due to its widespread distribution and biological persistence.

Professor Bhattacharya from Monash University says advancing domestic refining and feedstock technologies is critical to improving long-term fuel security. Monash engineers have developed a pyrolysis technology that converts end-of-life tyres and plastics into high-value liquid hydrocarbons, creating a new, circular source of refinery-ready feedstocks.