Politics

TasFarmers is calling out the state's political leaders for failing to prioritise stability and good governance through the parliamentary process, following the Rockliff Government’s loss of a no-confidence vote on the floor of the House of Assembly.

At its final meeting for 2024, the Condamine Catchment Management Association (CCMA) tackled a big question: how healthy is the water in our rivers? ... Using decades of data, maps, legislation and monitoring reports, Dr Paul Webb explored what we know – and what we don't – about the state of our waterways.

Northern Grampians Shire councillors will call on the State Government to find an alternative to its VNI West transmission line project amid fears for the nation’s food security along with community mental health and wellbeing. Victoria to NSW Interconnector West – known as VNI West – is a proposed new 500kV double circuit transmission line connecting high-voltage electricity grids in New South Wales and Victoria.

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said he feared the Albanese Government was prepared to trade away Australia’s biosecurity advantage to appease the Trump Administration, after reports the Government had put beef imports on the negotiating table. Mr Littleproud said Australia’s strong biosecurity must remain a priority, instead of being used as a bargaining tool by Labor.

The Towong Shire Council intends to keep up its opposition to the state’s Emergency Services Volunteer Fund Levy despite the Victorian government’s announcement last Friday of a 12-month pause on the tax for farmers. At its meeting on May 28th, councillors unanimously opposed the levy, which was due to take effect from 1 July, 2025.

New Queensland Government data shows the state's racing industry now contributes close to $2.5 billion per annum to the State's economy, including a large chunk for the Darling Downs. The findings were according to independent data from research specialists IER.

Mayor Rick Firman OAM, Chairman of the NSW Country Mayors Association (CMA) has welcomed the release of the Public Accounts Committee's inquiry into the Assets, Premises and Funding of the NSW Rural Fire Service. The Inquiry, undertaken to examine whether the current frameworks governing assets, premises and funding for the RFS remained appropriate, effective...

Drought-hit South East farmers need “immediate help” from government-funded relief packages, rather than money for future mitigation measures … That is the view of independent member of the Legislative Council of South Australia Sarah Game, who says her assessment of the state government’s drought-relief packages has been – in part – informed by her communication with South East farmers.

A breakthrough in how we identify pests entering Australia has now been successfully tried and tested in Sydney. ‘MALDI-TOF’ and ‘MinION’ are new diagnostic systems being adopted in our border biosecurity operations that use protein and DNA profiles to rapidly identify species through automated data matching.

A bold initiative by Sunshine Coast Council to attract more luxury hotels to the region has made a successful start with the approval of an exciting hotel project - complete with rooftop bar - in the heart of Caloundra. The project is intended to comprise of shops and cafes at Ground Level, restaurant and hotel amenities on Level 1, 160 suites over Levels 2-10 and a rooftop restaurant and bar with outdoor dining and function rooms on Level 11.

A group of Naracoorte residents gathered at the Town Square last Friday to express their disappointment at the Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s decision not to waive burial fees for children under the age of 10. The community demonstration reflected growing frustration over the council's stance, which many believe lacked compassion for grieving families.

Shadow Minister for Local Government, Kirrilee Warr MLA, has labelled the implementation of the Cook Labor Government’s Stop Puppy Farming laws a "dog’s breakfast" after the Government abandoned a $9.8 million contract just days after the new laws had taken effect.

A Naracoorte Lucindale councillor has voiced strong criticism over the council’s decision to keep $8,600 in its budget for post-meeting “meals and drinks” but reject a proposal to waive burial fees for children under the age of 10. Speaking to The Naracoorte News, councillor Craig McGuire expressed disappointment following the council’s recent May meeting, where his motion to waive all cemetery charges for children up to 10 years old—excluding plaque expenses—was voted down.

The gross value of Australia’s agricultural production is expected to fall by 2.8 per cent to $90.7 billion in 2025-26, driven by lower crop and livestock production volumes, according to the June quarter forecasts released by ABARES ...

“As price takers, farm businesses have limited capacity to absorb higher labour costs without a corresponding uplift in productivity. Without this link, wage growth risks undermining the viability of many small and family-run farm operations”: Troy Williams, NFF.

Clarence Valley Council has been directed by the Northern Regional Planning Panel to agree to an amended proposal for a Yamba manufactured home estate which is subject to an appeal in the Land and Environment Court.

Hindmarsh Shire Mayor Ron Ismay. I would like to commence by commending the thousands of regional people who took part in the protest over the recently legislated Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF) levy on the steps of Parliament House in Spring Street last week ... This levy is an absolute disgrace!

Hay Library continues to grow in popularity, with an increase of 24 per cent in borrowers in March compared to the previous month and a slight decrease in April due to the two long weekends. In a comprehensive report to Council, the Library Team Leader noted 11 new members, a registration renewal and a busy month with community activities.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has sparked debate around the introduction of a bounty on feral animals. Speaking on radio last week Mr Minns suggested that a system where shooters are paid a small fee for each feral animal killed could be a "novel way" to reduce their populations, which he believes have "taken over a lot of parks."