Politics

The new Whyalla Airport is taking shape, as work continues on the expanded terminal, enhanced facilities, upgraded runway and improved safety and security measures ... Whyalla City Council Mayor Clare McLaughlin said the upgrades would deliver a modern, future-proofed facility, well placed to service Whyalla and the region.

TAFE NSW and Airways Aviation will start delivering world-class training to students at Airways Aviation’s base from July at the Lismore Regional Airport, Lismore City Council’s Commercial Services Business Manager Kevin Trustum said. “Along with the university, it strengthens Lismore as the educational centre for the Northern Rivers and beyond,” he said.

Start getting excited for some adrenaline pumping fun, because the Rockhampton Agricultural Show has just announced its entertainment line-up! Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams is excited to announce Camel Racing is coming back to the Rocky Show. “We’ll have Camel Racing proudly presented by The Capricornian drawing crowds to Centre Ring on People’s Day followed by the spectacular Rooftop Express and fireworks” Mayor Williams said.

Council leaders from across the Cape and Torres Strait will head to Canberra this week to speak with politicians and bureaucrats from both major parties as they look to address issues in the region. Organised under the banner of the Torres and Cape Indigenous Councils Alliance, the mayors, CEOs and senior staff will also try and arrange a sit down with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

An Indigenous logging company will start initial milling of timber and create more than 50 new jobs, mostly in the Cape, thanks to a grant from the state government. Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said the government has given a $480,000 grant to Wik Timber Holdings to purchase and install a Gibson sawmill. “Wik Timber is an Indigenous-owned company that specialises in harvesting timber on mining leases that would otherwise have to be incinerated,” Mr Miles said.

Industry, Science and Technology Minister Christian Porter today tabled a report into the accessibility and operation of Australia’s patent system for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The Patents Accessibility Review was conducted by Emeritus Professor Raoul Mortley who consulted widely with the small business community, universities, researchers and lawyers on a broad range of topics, including costs, processing times and the level of government support available to SMEs to help them understand and navigate the patent system.

From Cape York to Kangaroo Island, to Wilcannia to Alice Springs, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) is in the air delivering safe and effective vaccines to remote Australian communities. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack joined Regional Health Minister and Parkes MP, Mark Coulton to visit the RFDS base in Dubbo to announce a significant national partnership.

NFF CEO Tony Mahar has called the Australia Institute's latest report a PR stunt and questioned the think tank’s motives in continually ignoring agriculture's achievements in stemming the impacts of climate change. "In fact, Australian farmers are leading the world in reducing emissions, all while continuing to increase productivity."

New research from the Australia Institute reveals that, contrary to claims by the Australian Government of falling emissions, Australia’s national emissions (excluding land use) have risen by 7 per cent from 2005 ... “The Australian government is taking credit for changes in the land sector, that have not been impacted by any federal climate policy. By contrast, key allies like the United Kingdom and United States have decreased their net emissions and are exercising real credible climate leadership," said Richie Merzian.

New walking trails will be ready to explore in just a few weeks, with work underway on the river walkway link from Lower Sterne Street in Eastgrove through to Cemetery Street ... “This area of Goulburn is just another gem waiting to be discovered, and I think many residents will be pleasantly surprised when the project is complete” said Mayor Bob Kirk.

The Government has heeded the National Farmers Federation's call for a strategy to underpin Australia's biosecurity system, with today's release of Commonwealth Biosecurity 2030. "Achieving a risk-based biosecurity system that effectively, efficiently and sustainably protects Australia’s health, economic, environmental and national security interests is essential to protecting Australia’s $62 billion agriculture industry," NFF CEO Tony Mahar said.

An independent inquiry has stated that Field and Game Australia should rightly be concerned that serious efforts by Victoria’s Game Management Authority (GMA) are underway to restrict duck hunting in the state, regardless of scientific evidence. The veiled threat about whether duck hunting may no longer continue in Victoria should be taken seriously.

Narrandera's Volunteer Rescue Association squad was handed the keys to their new $380,000 rescue truck on Thursday by NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott.

Musicians, visual artists, and school students will take centre stage at this Saturday’s Somerset Art Beat Festival in Toogoolawah. The celebration will showcase all things art and culture, with market stalls, live music, dance performances, workshops, food and more.

The National Farmers Federation has welcomed recent announcements on the roll-out of the Future Drought Fund’s (FDF) Farm Business Resilience Program, a program that will provide practical training for farms on strategic business management, natural resource management, and personal and social resilience. "This program will be crucial in building our farmers fundamental business and strategic planning skills with respect to resilience and preparedness," NFF CEO Tony Mahar said.

Geoff Helisma. NSW Teachers Federation members stopped work at several schools across the state last week, including two in the Clarence Valley, in protest over staff shortages, and to express their concerns of being unable to find replacement teachers to fill casual and temporary positions. In two separate media releases, NSW Teachers Federation Deputy President Henry Rajendra said teachers are angry the NSW Government has failed to properly staff local education centers. He said the impact at Grafton High School has resulted in a large number of classes being left without a teacher for many months this year, and during the past six weeks, 160 teaching periods have been left uncovered at the school.

Shire of Ashburton are thrilled that the Neil and Judy Baker Shell Museum opens this week in Onslow ... “Council has supported and worked hard to be able to showcase the impressive shell collection from residents Neil and Judy Baker so that it can be enjoyed by tourists and the community for decades to come”, said Councillor White. “Accumulated for over 60 years, most of the shells have been collected from the waters and islands surrounding Onslow, with others coming from Europe as collector items.

Council’s push for an improved planning approach to renewable energy developments has received a boost after gaining support from the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV). In a motion put to Friday’s MAV State Council, Moyne Shire Council called on the MAV to advocate to the Planning Minister and Energy and Environment Minister for a strategic approach to be taken on renewable energy projects and transmission lines.

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is almost here and this year’s theme ‘More than a word, Reconciliation takes action’ is all about Australians making impactful social change. Events are happening throughout Geraldton as well as online from Wednesday 26 May to Thursday 3 June, and most of them are free.