2025-26 interim Budget supports services, economy and the Tasmanian community: Rockliff, Abetz
The Tasmanian Government’s significant investment in health, education, housing, and law and order has been outlined in today’s 2025-26 interim Budget. This is a fiscally responsible budget that will continue to deliver the services that Tasmanians expect and deserve.
GrainGrowers responds to carbon tax debate
A key panel session at the Digital Agrifood Summit exploring Denmark's proposed carbon tax on agriculture has highlighted the need to avoid simplistic comparisons between Australian and European models. GrainGrowers CEO Shona Gawel said the summit, attended by leaders across agriculture, technology, and policy, prompted robust discussion about the relevance and risks of similar mechanisms in the Australian context.
The Australian crocodile industry’s problematic trio
Australia's export-oriented crocodile industry depends on public opinion in foreign countries and the actions of legislators in those countries. This is the industry's primary problem. Two secondary problems arise from this. Australia's crocodile industry has too little economic potential, and lobbying regulations in Australia are too imperfect for Australian farmers to quickly follow global trends.
Albanese Labor Government delivers new Pakistan market access for Australian farmers: Collins
Pakistan has approved market access for Genetically Modified (GM) canola from Australia. Australia is a trusted and reliable supplier of canola to Pakistan, with non-GM canola exports valued at $506 million in the last financial year – making Pakistan one of Australia’s top markets for canola.
Food manufacturer to chip in $300 million for potato processing plant in Dooen
Horsham Rural City Council has welcomed Victorian State Government approval for the establishment of a $300 million food manufacturing plant in Dooen. Farm Frites specialises in frozen potato products.
A new era for industrial hemp in Victoria: Spence
Victorian Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence has launched public consultation on proposed new legislation, inviting Victorians to share their priorities for the industry, what’s working under current laws and ideas for improvement.
Cohuna celebrates in style
Cohuna's 150 Year Anniversary opened with a packed house at Memorial Hall on Friday night. The walls of the hall were lined with an array of past fashions, hospital history, sporting memorabilia, and historical photos.
Letter to the Editor – Concerns for the Victorian Government’s push for critical minerals: Mine Free Glenaladale
The Victorian Labor Government is claiming critical minerals will develop jobs and regional growth and boost local economies. Mine Free Glenaladale and the community it represents in East Gippsland disputes this claim by the Government, as there is a high probability existing jobs and industries would be adversely affected by a proposal of a mineral sands mine 25 kilometres west of Bairnsdale.
Hospital strike out
Madison Eastmond. Riverland medical staff will join hundreds of nurses as they reject the State Government's most recent pay offer, which they claim still "leaves SA nurses and midwifes as the lowest paid in Australia".
The wrong ratio headcount issue
Madison Eastmond. Riverland medical staff are claiming new ratio laws that have been recently passed by the State Government to improve medical care and safety are failing to alleviate the "high pressure working conditions" of rural and regional healthcare. Alongside an offer of a 13 per cent pay rise over four years, with bonus payments totalling $4500 … the State Government also announced the passing of new patient ratio laws, which are said to ensure "safer nursing".
Freight services return to Wadeye: Edgington
The Northern Territory Government welcomes confirmation that Top End Barge Services will commence barge operations between Darwin and Wadeye from mid-November, ensuring freight deliveries to the West Daly region ... “This is a great result for Wadeye, the community came together, identified what it needed, and found a commercial solution": Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Steve Edgington.
Australia Post fat cats: Webster, McIntosh, Violi
Shadow Minister for Communications, Melissa McIntosh said, “we’ve seen job cuts, price increases and reduced mail delivery but eight executives have taken home a whopping $6.8 million in bonuses and that’s on top of their $7.8 million in salaries.”
Another small step towards closing the gap on childcare
Negotiations initiated by Hay Shire Council are continuing with Homes NSW and NSW Police in a bid to improve childcare availability in the community. Hay has one early childcare provider, Hay Children's Services (HCS), with space for 24 children/day. There is a current wait list of over 90 spaces...
Mayor stands firm behind GM
Mayor Ray Smith has acknowledged his full support for Clarence Valley Council General Manager (GM) Laura Black, following a speech in the NSW upper house by Green’s Local Government spokesperson, Dr Amanda Cohn. Following the October 23 speech and subsequent fallout reported in local media, Cr Smith called an extraordinary meeting on November 3, at 11am, in the Grafton Chambers to address Dr Cohn’s speech.
More algal bloom confusion: Centofanti
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Regional South Australia, Nicola Centofanti, said what was truly alarming were revelations that the baseline water-quality monitoring program across South Australia’s coastline and within the gulfs were ad hoc - with no monitoring in 2023 due to a lack of departmental resourcing.
A better lifestyle through a stronger economy – Crisafulli Government delivers strategic trade boost with new Vietnam office: Bates
...The new Hanoi office joins Queensland’s existing base in Ho Chi Minh City, making Queensland the first Australian state with a dual-city presence in Vietnam. Vietnam is now Queensland’s largest export market in Southeast Asia and sixth globally, with beef exports alone up 29 per cent last year.
Future uncertain as final Mossman cane delivered to Mulgrave: Canegrowers
The final truckload of Mossman sugarcane has been delivered to Mulgrave Mill, closing a defining chapter in the region’s history and leaving an uncertain future for local growers. CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens said the moment was deeply disappointing for the Mossman community, which has been shaped by sugarcane farming for generations.
Rallying for respect
Michelle Daw. Wallaroo nurses, midwives and their supporters were among hundreds who rallied across South Australia last week in support of a union pay claim. The rallies, held on Wednesday, October 30, were organised by the South Australian branch of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation as part of its RESPECT campaign.
Completion of mountain bike trails sets wheels in motion: Swinbourn, Dawson, Stojkovski
Construction is complete and Stage 2 of the Dwellingup Mountain Bike Trail network is now officially open for riding. The multimillion-dollar Dwellingup Adventure Trails project has now delivered a world-class 108-kilometre mountain bike trail network and contributed to establishing Dwellingup as a leading trails destination.
Haines urges stronger focus on the regions in environment overall
Independent Federal Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines, will propose key amendments to new environmental laws to be debated in Parliament this week. Dr Haines welcomed the re-introduction of reforms to Australia’s environment laws as long overdue, but stressed the need for greater transparency and meaningful community consultation to be embedded in the legislation.
When a crazy idea becomes a reality and a ‘38 Dodge ambulance returns to town
Never has a ‘38 Dodge had such applause on its arrival. When Mark and Sue Butler pulled into town with the 1938 Dodge Kyogle ambulance on the back of their tilt tray truck, everyone wanted to see it ... The Kyogle ambulance has been returned for three months to be part of the Kyogle Memorial Hospital centenary celebrations on November 15.
Steel power pole trial underway in part of Yanchep
Steel power poles are being trialled in part of Yanchep with their installation expected to be completed at the end of October, according to Western Power. This week a Western Power spokeswoman said the trial of steel poles was aimed at increasing network resilience.
