Closing the Gap: First NT Implementation Plan
The Territory Labor Government has released the first Closing the Gap NT Implementation Plan in partnership with Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT and Local Government Association NT.
Lockdown lunacy leaves lasting legacy
Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, said the Victorian Government clearly neither cares about, nor comprehends, the damage it is doing. “If anyone could imagine what hitting a panic button looked like, then Saturday was it ... Put quite simply, there is little or no coronavirus in our part of Victoria, and even if there was, there are systems in place to deal with it. And if the systems are not working, heads should roll. It makes a farce of QR codes and quarantine processes. Either they are there for a reason, or they’re not."
Open for business – milestone for Torres Strait Islanders
In a major milestone for Torres Strait Islanders, Queensland has progressed legal recognition of Torres Strait Islander traditional child rearing practice with the opening of the Office of the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa) in Cairns ... Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa Commissioner C’Zarke Maza said the office would support life-long aspirations among many Torres Strait Islanders by improving access to support, services and opportunities.
Native sportfish season re-opens in September
NSW Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall has announced that anglers around the state could get back to reeling in some of our finest native sportfish when the Australian Bass and Estuary Perch season opens on Wednesday, 1 September 2021.
NSW puts foot on the green gas with hydrogen platform
The rollout of the State’s hydrogen hubs is set to be accelerated, with the establishment of a collaboration platform to bring together potential hydrogen producers and users.
Queensland’s first hydrogen cars hit the road
The rubber has literally hit the road in Queensland’s push to become a hydrogen superpower. Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni has taken the covers off the first hydrogen vehicles to hit Queensland roads, five Hyundai Nexos that join QFleet from Monday, with distinctive, Indigenous-inspired designer decals.
Freedom is the best reason to get vaccinated
There is a saying that goes like this: you can’t change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails. It’s time to adjust our sails, Australia, because the wind blowing in the COVID-19 virus is going to keep blowing. We need our national mojo back: Bev McArthur, MP.
Stop Puppy Farming laws passed WA Lower House
Laws to end puppy farming in Western Australia have today passed the State Parliament's lower house ... The Stop Puppy Farming legislation, which also includes reforms to de-muzzle greyhounds, involves changes to the Dog Act 1976 that minimise the number of dogs suffering neglect and requiring rehoming by regulating the breeding and sale of dogs in WA.
Two thousand overseas agricultural workers arrive in NSW
Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall today announced more than 2,000 overseas skilled agricultural workers have arrived in NSW in the last 12 months to help industry overcome the Covid-induced labour shortage.
Helen on tap update
It was an emotional night at the Royal Hotel in Barham as locals bared their souls to Member for Murray Helen Dalton. The continual tit for tat between New South Wales and Victoria has been a wrecking ball on businesses, families, local economy, and the wellbeing of our residents ... “For us, financially, we have just sold our house to keep the bank at bay. If things don’t ultimately change soon, it will be very detrimental to us”: Ben Watts, Barham Holiday Park
Democracy ditched, and the question I would have asked”¦!
Western Victoria MP Bev McArthur has condemned the Labor Party, who yesterday worked with crossbench minor parties to force through a vote cancelling this week’s session of Parliament less than an hour after debate began.
Byron backs CVC’s anti-mining stance
Byron Shire Council has voted to support the “Clarence Valley Council community in seeking a moratorium on future mining and mining exploration in the Clarence Valley catchment”. Six of seven councillors at BSC’s August 5 meeting (planning) supported mayor Michael Lyon’s notice of motion, which also “advocates [BSC’s support of CVC] to Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean”.
Covid spared rod in region
Claire Rankin. Fishing for essential reasons such as food and exercise was permitted during the covid lockdown ... Although fishing was allowed, not a tight line or a bent rod was to be seen on the north or south wall at Evans Head or along the main beach. A lone surfer was spotted, along with dog walkers, bicycle riders and toddler tamers.
First flight between Derby and Broome takes to the skies
The first air service between Broome and Derby took to the air on 16 August 2021, providing Derby travellers with air access to Perth for the first time since 2016 via connecting flights from Broome.
Bramwell sold at auction but state could withdraw
Bramwell Station was sold to the Queensland government for $11.5 million at a public auction last week, but the deal appears to be in jeopardy. Cape York Weekly can reveal the state government was one of four registered bidders at the online auction and was the only one to make a bid.
Bathing in traditional culture and geological wonders
Visitors on the “Savanah Way” west of Cairns can soak up traditional culture and enjoy the enchanting landscapes of Ewamian country with the official opening of Talaroo Hot Springs, as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan. Assistant Qld Tourism Minister Michael Healy said Talaroo Hot Springs, beside the Einasleigh River, was opened by the Ewamian Aboriginal Corporation.
Picton backs country doctors
Chris Oldfield. SA Shadow Health Minister Chris Picton has thrown his weight behind Naracoorte's doctors and country GPs, calling for the State Government to negotiate contracts with them. Mr Picton has slammed the State Government for wasting taxpayers’ dollars on locums, failing to negotiate and throwing rural doctors and country hospitals into turmoil.
The time is now for farm clean up
Local Land Services is advising landholders August is the perfect time to get in and clean up on-farm ahead of an expected busy Spring. Cleaning up will help reduce the potential impact of pests, by reducing their possible breeding and nesting locations, as well as reduce the risks for livestock to chemical residues from items such as old batteries.
Minority Report: An insurance and rapid testing plan to revive events and tourism
The Avalon Airshow is the latest cancellation on Victoria’s beleaguered tourism and event industry calendar ... Bev McArthur, Member for Western Victoria, was one of four Liberal and National MP signatories to a Minority Report recently tabled into the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Tourism and Events Sectors. The Minority Report made 10 Recommendations, including the need for rapid testing to help open the tourism and events sectors sooner and more reliably.
Resume Parliament and return democracy
The Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party calls for Parliament to resume in September and a return to representative democracy ... "We have a situation where the Premier and her so-called "crisis cabinet" can rule this State through statutory rules like health orders and subordinate legislation like regulations, that are not required to be tabled in Parliament. Representative democracy has been put on hold in a time we need it more than ever" : Leader of SFF Robert Borsak MLC.
Pumps started in Guttrum
Diesel irrigation pumps started pumping into the Guttrum Forest last week ... Australia’s most endangered bird, the Australasian bittern, is now part of the public relations push for watering the reed bed. There is only one official documented sighting of the bittern in the swamp from December 1960, and anecdotal reports up until the 70s ... “As farmers, the proof has to be in the pudding. If things don’t work, we go broke, what skin do they have in the game?”
Native timber industry key to tackling climate change
Timber Towns Victoria argues that native timber production in public forests promotes carbon storage and must be taken seriously if Victoria is to tackle climate change.
