Productivity crisis is no longer a slow-burn problem: CPA Australia
Australia’s largest accounting body, CPA Australia, says Australia’s productivity crisis is now serious enough to threaten economic growth, competitiveness and living standards unless governments act decisively ... Business and Investment Lead Gavan Ord said: “Australia is running out of time. If productivity continues to stagnate, living standards will go backwards and the economy will struggle to sustain growth.
Commonwealth recognises Fingerboards with Major Project Status: Gippsland Critical Minerals
Gippsland Critical Minerals’ redesigned Fingerboards Project has been awarded Major Project Status (MPS) by the Australian Government recognising its global supply impacts, economic benefits and its alignment with national interest. Senator The Hon Tim Ayres, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science has awarded Major Project Status to the Fingerboards Project for a period of 3 years, a decision based on the projects potential contribution the Australian critical minerals sector, specifically as a supplier of rare earth elements and zircon, with onsite separation and rail transport for downstream refinement.
Regional NSW dominates top 10 electorates with rooftop solar: Sharpe
The latest data reveals that households and businesses in regional NSW are leading the charge in rooftop solar adoption, accounting for nine of the top ten electorates for installations. NSW leads the country in rooftop solar with more than 1 million homes and businesses that now have rooftop solar – a third of all NSW homes.
Confusion reigns on CopperString ownership: Katter
I don’t get it – will Queenslanders own CopperString, or will the industry and job creating project be sold off to a multinational like Glencore who only have the interests of their boardroom at heart? Katter’s Australian Party Leader, and Member for Traeger has said.
Purple Poppy Day – Honouring those who served on four legs: Finocchiaro, Charls
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is proudly recognising Purple Poppy Day today, observed annually on 24 February, honouring the courage, loyalty and sacrifice of animals who have served alongside Australian Defence Force personnel.
Save Fort Queenscliff: McArthur
Having taken the matter to the Victorian Parliament, Member for Western Victoria Region, Bev McArthur, is demanding answers over the federal government's plan to permanently close 68 defence locations across the nation - including the historic Fort Queenscliff … Mrs McArthur joined around 200 residents at a community rally organised by Senator Sarah Henderson, opposing the federal government’s plan to sell this nationally significant heritage site.
All risk, no reward for outback farmers: NSW Farmers Association
Shortchanged farmers in the state’s northwest are desperately calling on government to deliver fairer compensation for small-scale title mining claims. NSW Farmers Acting CEO Mike Guerin said the proposed compensation amounts for opal mining claims fell well short of the real and ongoing losses faced by farm businesses hosting mining activity...
World premiere announced for 2026 Hughenden Festival of Outback Skies thanks to Government funding boost
Flinders Shire Council is proud to announce that the 2026 Hughenden Festival of Outback Skies has received a major funding boost ... to support a landmark Festival Finale performance featuring the Townsville Great Barrier Reef Orchestra performing alongside internationally renowned didgeridoo virtuoso and composer William Barton.
Last year’s cattle tick issue sorted as the 100th show is ready to roll
Here’s some good news about Bonalbo’s 100th Show — it’s on. The show committee is pleased to inform competitors, exhibitors and sponsors that the Bonalbo Showgrounds are no longer under restrictions as an adjoining holding for cattle tick ... Remember the date — Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18.
I’ve seen The Vision Splendid: Ted Egan
Ted Egan's stories and songs ranged from the poignant, such as The Drover’s Boy, to the larrikan: There are some bloody good drinkers, in the Northern Territory ... Greg Egan was speaking ... at the state memorial celebrating the life of his father Ted Egan who, apart from being a nationally celebrated singer, was an author, academic and athlete.
Labor blocks toxic algal bloom findings: Centofanti
The Parliamentary Committee into the State’s algal bloom crisis has been unable to reach a consensus, with Labor members blocking the Committee including its findings in the formal report. The Committee was forced to publish multiple dissenting reports, from the Liberal team and Committee Chair, Greens MLC Rob Simms.
Victoria’s Timber Towns mourn the closure of the Swifts Creek mill
Timber Towns Victoria (TTV) has acknowledged the closure of the historic Swifts Creek sawmill in East Gippsland, marking the end of an era for a region still feeling the aftermath of the Victorian government's decision to close the native forest industry ... “This mill closure is the glaring outcome of ad-hoc decision by government that have lasting impacts across communities at so many levels..."
MV Beardmore heritage listing
The last remaining tugboat that was used on the Clarence River for the sugar industry, the MV Beardmore is being considered for heritage listing, and the community have an opportunity to have their say. Built by JG Pashley and Sons in 1914 at the Harwood Mill, the 18.8 metre long and 3.4 metre wide MV Beardmore was made from local hardwood.
Environmental Effects Statement required for Fingerboards Critical Minerals Project – responses
The Victorian Minister for Planning, the Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP, has decided that an environmental effect statement is required for the Fingerboards Critical Minerals Project and given reasons for her decision. Gippsland Critical Minerals Pty Ltd, the proponent of the Fingerboards Project, has responded to the decision. The community action group, Mine Free Glenaladale, has responded to the decision and GCM's statement.
Bushfire destroys historic bridges
More than a quarter of a century's worth of volunteer work to restore the timber trestle bridges on the old Cudgewa-Wodonga railway line was gone in a flash when the Walwa-Mt Lawson bushfire laid waste to the structures last month. A strong wind change pushed the out-of-control bushfire towards the bridges near Shelley, Koetong and the Tallangatta Valley on January 8th and within 24 hours, 15 of the 16 bridges had been destroyed.
Birchip’s silo art begins
At just 15 years old, Ray Neville stunned the racing world with a Melbourne Cup victory. Now, nearly eight decades later, his hometown of Birchip is ensuring that remarkable moment in sporting history will be remembered, with work under way on a silo mural in his honour.
Farrer fight intensifies as Ley takes flight
... Sussan Ley is taking her bat and ball and going home. The tenure of Ms Ley has been marred by Farrer communities being devastated by the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, a plan that her party was the ultimate architect of.
River health still declining: 25 dead Murray cod
Member for Murray Helen Dalton said 25 dead Murray Cod were left stranded in a remnant pool barely 60 metres long in Bullatale Creek. "Some were close to a metre in length - fish that would have taken decades to grow now gone," she said ... "So here is the question. What exactly is that two billion dollars a year being spent on?
Powerful documentary on the Menindee fish kill screens in UK
Barkindji representatives travelled to the United Kingdom to share the Menindee fish kills film with international audiences and connect with cultural items. In the summer of 2018-2019, a million dead fish floated to the surface of the Baaka (Darling River) near the town of Menindee. The shocking sight was the result of a mass fish kill.
Global spotlight on Beetaloo with new acreage release: Maley
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is further boosting economic growth in the Territory through a new acreage release for onshore petroleum exploration. The acreage is approximately 4,000 sqkm, more than five times the size of Singapore, and is strategically located near the Amadeus Gas Pipeline and the Stuart Highway within the highly prospective Beetaloo Sub-basin, one of Australia’s most significant onshore shale gas plays.
Hitting rock bottom: Riverland family forced to dump grapes on the ground
Madison Eastmond. The crushing economic pressure of the wine industry has forced a Riverland family to dump their grapes – and prompted a Chaffey election candidate to pledge advocating for locals outside "the top end of town" ... "Where are our (local politicians)?," Mr Koutouzis asked.
Ley exits with grace and dignity
Member for Farrer for the past 25 years, Sussan Ley has announced her exit from politics with grace and dignity after losing to Angus Taylor in a Liberal Party leadership spill 34-17 on Friday ... "I will be spending the next couple of weeks thanking the amazing people of Farrer, and expressing my gratitude to them, for the honour of representing them for 25 years."
