Statement by Nick McBride – Member for MacKillop
I have come to the conclusion that it is no longer tenable for me to remain in the Liberal party. I have been a proud member of this party for more than 30 years, so this has been an extremely difficult decision for me. I believe my constituents and electorate will be better served by me working as the Independent Member for MacKillop.
Response to McBride defection
A trade school and further education facility in Naracoorte are opportunities which Nick McBride could work towards achieving as an Independent Member for MacKillop. Such a facility would include training for aged care and allied health as well as other vocations. The suggestions came from Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross in the wake of Mr McBride’s resignation from the SA Liberal Party.
Decision upheld
The future of Victoria's forests has been captured by political ideology and complex legalities rather than being determined by science and professional expertise, according to Forestry Australia ... "The problem is, there has been no universally accepted definition or clarity regarding how key components of the [precautionary] principle should be interpreted or applied in practice," Forestry Australia said.
States and territories sign up for new national poultry standards: DAFF
Agriculture ministers from all states and territories have now endorsed the new Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry ... The standards are the culmination of an extensive stakeholder and public consultation process and underpinned by contemporary animal welfare science.
New renewable energy landholder toolkit available to support Queensland landholder: QFF
The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) has released a new toolkit to provide information and practical guidance for landholders considering hosting a renewable energy project on their property. ... “There is much for a landholder to consider before entering into an agreement. It is also important for landholders to understand that they can say no to hosting a wind or solar farm development...": QFF CEO Jo Sheppard.
Great Sandy Marine Park zoning changes to protect marine wildlife, great lifestyle: Linard
In Hervey Bay to announce the outcomes of the zoning plan review, Environment Minister Leanne Linard said the final zoning plan will increase the proportion of marine national park (green) zones within the GSMP from 3.9 per cent to 12.8 per cent, contributing to a total of 28.6 per cent of the marine park being in highly-protected (green and yellow) zones to conserve the park’s biodiversity.
The true cost of heritage
Try finding out what the true cost is of undertaking an Aboriginal Heritage survey in Western Australia and you will be confronted by a conspiracy of silence ... with no examples of the amount it has cost explorers, councils and main roads to get heritage clearances so that farmers can have a realistic idea of what their LACHS are likely to charge them, I’m limited to telling you my latest journey down the mad rabbit hole of aboriginal cultural heritage.
New bridge is good to go
The Towong Bridge will soon be open to traffic after being closed for more than a year. Residents and landowners on both sides of the Murray River will be bouyed by news that the new Towong Bridge will be officially opened next week after being closed for more than a year.
Covid vaxx discrimination Bill deadline extended
The reporting time for the Covid-19 Vaccination Status (Prevention of Discrimination) Bill 2022 and the Fair Work Amendment (Prohibiting Covid-19 Vaccine Discrimination) Bill 2023 has been extended to August 25, 2023. On February 9, 2023, the Senate referred to the committee with the bill’s intention to prohibit the commonwealth, states and territories and other government and non-government entities from discriminating on the basis of whether a person has had a Covid-19 vaccination in the provision of goods, services and facilities and also in employment, education, accommodation and sport, and amend the Fair Work Act 2009 by adding Covid-19 vaccination status as an attribute protected from discrimination.
Helen Dalton claims victory with the Yanco Ag girls dorm upgrade progress
Independent Member for Murray Mrs Helen Dalton joined staff and students at Yanco Agricultural High School last week to celebrate what has been a long and hard fought battle, the start of works for the girls dorm upgrades at the school. "For two decades the National Party did nothing about this issue allowing boarders to live in a sub-standard, Nauru-like detention centre like conditions": Independent Member for Murray Mrs Helen Dalton.
Queensland’s seminal First Nations celebration opens today: CIAF
For the next four days, Cairns will move to a vibrant, artistic, and cultural beat celebrating the rich traditions, creativity, and contemporary talent of Queensland’s First Nations peoples at the 14th annual, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF), 13 to 16 July 2023 ... Also taking a cue from this year’s curatorial theme is CIAF’s new-look, two-day Symposium that will be held on Friday 14 July and Saturday 15 July at Bulmba-ja Arts Centre...
Review to examine how QRIDA delivers financial assistance to rural sector: Furner
The Queensland Government has released a public discussion paper on the statutory review of the Rural and Regional Adjustment Act 1994 ... This includes natural disaster assistance and Rural Economic Development Grants, as well as other schemes such as the Household Waste Payment Scheme and the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Scheme.
Increased roadworks activity in region
Southern Downs residents can expect more activity on the road network and additional construction crews being deployed across the region to undertake flood repairs, with final approvals for last year’s flood event now secured.
Hogan and Williamson push for more flood funding
The push for more funding for the flood ravaged Northern Rivers region has been taken up by Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson, who questioned the Minns NSW Government on the massive reduction in buybacks offered and Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, who launched a petition to fully fund the Resilient Homes Program as promised ... On Saturday Woodburn locals lined the bridge armed with signs, a town which felt the full brunt of the catastrophic flood, that still feels unheard as they struggle to rebuild.
$61.7 million Parkes-Peak Hill water project underway: King, Jackson, Plibersek, Keith
Work has begun on one of the largest water infrastructure projects in New South Wales, with the Parkes-Peak Hill Water Supply Project designed to put the region in a stronger position to manage water in a drier climate. The $61.7 million project will deliver a suite of water infrastructure upgrades to safeguard water supply and boost drought resilience, funded in partnership between the Australian Government, the NSW Government and Parkes Shire Council.
Moody’s upgrades Western Australia to AAA credit rating: Cook, Saffioti
Moody's Investors Service has upgraded Western Australia's credit rating to AAA, with a 'stable' outlook ... The upgrade means Western Australia is now the only State or Territory with a AAA credit rating from both major international ratings agencies, and one of a very small number of jurisdictions globally with such a rating.
Trial for 24/7 guards at Wallaroo Hospital
Security guards will be trialled at  Wallaroo Hospital following a vigorous campaign by the Australian  Nursing and Midwifery Foundation SA Branch and the local community. State Health Minister Chris Picton announced ... the Yorke and Northern Local Health Network board had decided to trial the use of 24/7 guards for six months at the Wallaroo and Port Pirie Hospitals, starting as soon as possible. This follows recent terrifying incidents at both hospitals.
Marion Yay
Patrick Goldsmith. Marion Bay will get its long sought-after boat ramp upgrade after Yorke Peninsula Council received $3.04 million through the state government’s South Australian Boating Facilities Fund ... Concept plans for the ramp were endorsed by council members in October, but only approved by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport last week.
Information sharing at TCV meeting
Jenny Pollard. A crowd in excess of 100 people turned out for the Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) information meeting held at Charlton Park last Wednesday evening. TCV is a recently formed company tasked with the "early works" stage of planning the Victorian section of the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West (VNI West) transmission line project.
Milestone sugar shipment headed to the UK: Canegrowers
Australia’s first raw sugar shipment to the United Kingdom under the new Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA) was loaded in Townsville on 10 July 2023, opening an important new market for the Queensland sugar industry. Under the new agreement, which came into place on 31 May 2023, tariff-free raw sugar exports to the UK have resumed for the first time in 50 years...
Misleading tactics used by transmission companies to dupe farmers: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has expressed concerns about misleading information being provided to farmers who may be impacted by the proposed VNI-West transmission project. VFF President Emma Germano said the Australian Energy Market Operator (which is planning the project on behalf of the Victorian Government) had released information to landholders designed to pressure them into signing away access to their land.
Regional renting is about to get a whole lot harder: Bev McArthur
Mrs McArthur said the trifecta of mortgage stress, rental compliance and tax increases, will result in ‘rental providers’ seeking easier financial options ... “This rental crisis will become increasingly obvious in regional cities like Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat as we draw closer to the Commonwealth Games."
