MLC to quit parliament
Geoff Helisma. Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) Catherine Cusack, who received the Clarence Catchment Alliance’s Clarence Valley Council-backed antimining petition, is resigning from her position. Ms Cusack said she would quit the NSW Government following Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s initial announcement on March 9 that extra disaster funding would be available immediately for people in Lismore, Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley local government areas (LGAs), all of which are within the Nationals-held seat of Page.
What the Minister and CEO FCNSW did not say!
On 15 March 2022, NSW Budget Estimates Portfolio Committee No 4 saw Justin Field MLC and David Shoebridge MLC once again argue the closure of selective harvesting of native forests in NSW.
Australia’s Galapagos officially proclaimed and protected: Ley, Marino
Two new marine parks have been established at Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean, home to life found nowhere else on earth. Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said the spectacular seascapes cover 744,000 square kilometres, an area greater in size than the Great Barrier Reef.
Carbon credit profits as primary production income – Carbon Count CEO Phil Mulvey’s view
"The latest government announcement about primary producers being able to claim their carbon credit profits as part of their primary production income looks positive indeed. What is important to understand however is that this development, whilst positive, is only benefiting those primary producers that have already started a carbon farming project and are soon ready to sell. What this development doesn't doesn't do is incentivise farmers to take up a carbon project in the first place; the key issue we need to overcome to meet our netzero2050 targets. What we need most now are governmental incentives that mitigate the financial barriers of entry for farmers and enable them to get started fast": Phil Mulvey.
NFF backs changes to recognise carbon credits as farm income
The National Farmers' Federation has praised Federal Government changes to see Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) and biodiversity credits treated as farm income ... NFF Chief Executive Tony Mahar said the change was due recognition that income related to carbon and biodiversity were part of the farm business. It is also consistent with policy analysis the NFF has progressed under the Australian Agriculture Sustainability Framework (AASF) project.
White elephant – $2 million animal centre empty
Described as a palace for the cats and dogs of Weipa, this multi-million dollar vet clinic and animal welfare centre was meant to be a game-changer for Cape York. However, it sits unfinished and unoccupied. Matt Nicholls looks at what the problem is and what the future looks like for this purpose-built facility
Cook MP impressed on trip north
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said a trip to Cooktown and Hope Vale had highlighted some of the positive contributions made by councils and community groups in the region ... “Given the vast size of my electorate, it is always fabulous catching up with locals in Cooktown and Hope Vale to see and hear first-hand the progress of state-funded projects, programs and matters where I can assist,” she said.
Join the #WaitingOnZuck news freeze and fight for the future of Australian news media
Today across Australia, over 30 media outlets will stop publishing news for 24 hours in a collective freeze to ï¬ght for the future of Australian news media. The news freeze will let the world know that small and medium news publishers are #WaitingOnZuck to pay for journalism and content that appears on the Facebook platform.
Tax changes for farmers to bolster land stewardship: Littleproud, Taylor, Sukkar
The Morrison Government will apply concessional tax treatment to primary producers that generate revenue from the sale of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) and biodiversity certificates. This will encourage carbon abatement activities and help Australia deliver on its net zero emissions target by 2050.
Sites announced for mobile network upgrades
Yanchep, Yanchep East, Gingin, Lancelin and Guilderton are all set to benefit from infrastructure upgrades to mobile network sites designed to improve mobile phone services for communities during emergencies. One hundred and forty-one infrastructure upgrades in WA will be funded as part of the second round of the Commonwealth mobile network hardening program, worth $10.9 million.
The Curated Plate: Serving up a new and improved bite-sized festival in 2022
Calling all foodies and culinary experts! From July 29 to August 7, local restaurants, farms, tourism and event operators will throw open their doors as part of The Curated Plate culinary festival, and offer the best of the Sunshine Coast’s local food and beverage experiences across a 10-day period.
Inland Rail modelling reveals need for state-based investment
The state’s peak agriculture body says the federal government’s multi-billion-dollar freight project needs more work to fully benefit agriculture and the regions. Adrian Lyons, head of the NSW Farmers Inland Rail Taskforce, said new modelling from the CSIRO revealed cost savings were not built in for the state, and more interconnectivity was needed.
Strengthen fuel security now says VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is calling for urgent action from the Federal Government to strengthen Australia’s fuel security in response to global volatility and uncertainty.
Infrastructure report adds weight to NFF blueprint for regional renewal
The National Farmers’ Federation welcomes the release of Infrastructure Australia’s Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps report, which aligns with the NFF blueprint for regional renewal.
Activists campaign to determine the future of the native forest industry in NSW: South East Timber Association
Peter Rutherford. The article published in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald on 15 March once again highlights how activist networking paints native forest harvesting as THE threat to the sustainability of NSW native forests. Like many reports advocating for the closure of the native forest industry, the article contains a mix of academic opinion, anti-native forest harvesting rhetoric from a green politician, creative accounting, words to trigger outrage, such as "woodchip exports," and opinions from an activist non-government organisation, that monetise the outrage to generate more outrage and a reporter to join the dots.
NT Govt and Julalikari agree to work together for a stronger future for the Barkly
Chief Minister Michael Gunner, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Selena Uibo, Linda Turner and David Curtis Jnr from Julalikari and Byron Matthews from the National Indigenous Australians Agency signed a Local Decision Making Agreement in Tennant Creek following a Community Cabinet meeting in town on Wednesday.
Gunner’s arrival in Tennant Creek draws criticism from residents
Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s visit to Tennant Creek this week was greeted with ire by many local residents sick of the continuing crime and antisocial behaviour in town ... “Residents have a reason to be angry with the Chief Minister – since 2016 we have yet to see a detailed crime prevention plan that would tackle the issues in Tennant Creek”: Barkly MLA Steve Edgington.
SA Territory Minister visits Tennant Springs
The South Australian Territory Minister for Veteran’s Affairs Kaul Pirby was recently in town and visited the local RSL. Unfortunately on his social media page, Mr Pirby was confused to where he was in fact visiting.
Ukraine conflict will reframe global trading relationships: Agribusiness Australia
New Agribusiness Australia analysis shows a rapidly evolving global trading environment, with profound, radical implications for grains production and markets. Major consumers of grains and oilseeds are in urgent need of supply and are being forced to compromise to maintain food security.
‘A commodity conversation’: Mark Allison, Agribusiness Australia
Mark Allison, Chair of Agribusiness Australia, analyses the state of play for Russian-Australian trade and what the Ukrainian conflict may mean for key global commodities.
Lib backs Labor’s local health pledge
Gabrielle Duykers. A Liberal MP has expressed disappointment in his party for failing to match funding local health funding commitments made by the State Opposition, but says he will continue advocating on behalf of the community. In an interview with Flow News 24, Liberal Member for MacKillop Nick McBride said he supported the Labor Party’s $52 million health pledge for the Limestone Coast, which addressed the “outdated” infrastructure in parts of the region.
Tantanoola gymnasium relocation plan
Sheryl Lowe. The small regional community of Tantanoola in the South East of South Australia has big plans to move their almost one-million-dollar school gymnasium a few hundred metres across a couple of country roads to the town’s sporting complex. We have the skills in our community to do this, Tantanoola local Mr. Peter Altschwager told The News, we just need permission ... Local students were educated at the once vibrant school for 139 years but with recent declining numbers, the Education Minister John Gardner decided to close the school in 2020.
