State politics

South Australia has much to learn from New Zealand's trade and export strategy, says Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone. Mr Whetstone, also opposition spokesperson for trade and investment, recently made the trip overseas to meet with his New Zealand counterpart, who has committed to doubling NZ's export value within the next decade.

Fresh data from the Lake Tyrrell digital kiosk, installed in early June, reveals active visitor engagement throughout June 2025 – a time that traditionally sees a lull in regional tourism ... With around 260 interactions recorded and up to 68 unique users per week, the kiosk’s analytics offer a clear indicator that Sea Lake’s investment in art, storytelling and nighttime experiences is paying off.

Bob Dooley. Nimbin is truly blessed to have always had beautiful art around the village. Thanks to Julie De Lorenzo for her latest piece on the newly-built amenities block which adjoins Peace Park, the swimming pool, the skateboard park and the Aquarius Walking Track.

Rob Doolan. In the beginning of the 1980s, I had escaped the Queensland Bjelke-Petersen regime and moved to the Northern Rivers desiring some rural land to build my home and live differently. In 1983 we were building the first roads on the property at Whian Whian where we planned to have a small Multiple Occupancy (MO).

The State Government is rolling out a suite of measures to back South Australia’s recreational fishing community, helping them weather the impacts of the unprecedented algal bloom and setting the stage for a strong recovery of fish stocks. The algal bloom presents a real challenge for fishers, causing foamy and discoloured water in some areas and has impacted about 400 types of fish and marine animals.

Sarah Herrmann. Independent Narungga MP Fraser Ellis says he has been approached by the Liberal Party to rejoin their ranks at the upcoming state election ... In October 2021, Mr Ellis sought the Liberals' endorsement to run as a candidate for Narungga in the 2022 state election, but they declined and ran an endorsed candidate against him. Mr Ellis was successful as an independent.

Grain Producers Australia is calling for a rigorous investigation of the recent acceleration of Australian farmland purchases, by US-owned foreign investors with serious financial clout, emboldened by major tax breaks. 

Yorke Peninsula National Trust of South Australia branches are refusing to pay a new fee which would take 10 per cent of their gross annual revenue, warning the move could force museums to close. Of the several YP branches protesting, the Moonta branch — one of the NTSA's largest — is facing a $47,365 fee, which chair Graham Hancock has called unfair.

NT Hearing Services has developed a cutting-edge tool that combines AI-powered geospatial mapping with analytics to track the prevalence of ear conditions and hearing loss across 93 communities and outstations in the NT.

A stop work order has been issued covering operation of the Boera Dam river regulator in Toorale National Park following an extensive investigation by the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR). Chief Regulatory Officer Grant Barnes said NRAR issued the order yesterday (Wednesday, August 6) because the operation of certain water infrastructure allegedly did not fully account for water use, as required by the Water Management Act.

“Don’t talk to mining companies one-on-one. Don’t sign anything without a lawyer — not even an access agreement to your land.” This advice to landholders came from solicitor Belinda Rayment from the Environmental Defenders Office who was at a community meeting at Drake Hall on July 28 talking about mineral mining exploration licences.

The Albanese and Cook Labor Governments have officially opened the Kimberley Cotton Gin in Kununurra, which is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs over the next decade in a new billion-dollar industry for the State's north ... The $60 million high-tech processing facility is owned by Kimberley Cotton Company...

Regional families and farmers are bearing the brunt of the Allan Labor Government’s Emergency Services Tax, with local councils forced to rip millions more from communities already struggling under the weight of rising living costs ... “In Benalla, ratepayers are now set to fork out 81 per cent more under this new tax. In Strathbogie, it’s even worse – a staggering 91 per cent increase,” Ms Cleeland said.

Solstice Energy has confirmed the closure of the compressed natural gas (CNG) network in Maldon, which currently services 79 residences and five businesses, saying this will ultimately reduce energy costs for those customers affected.

While politicians and activists agonise over the merits of the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, a far more insidious war rages on — not between nations, but between species. It’s the war we barely talk about, yet one we’re losing badly: the war against invasive pests. From farmland to forest, the frontlines are everywhere, and the casualties aren’t measured in headlines but in trees, crops, ecosystems — and billions of taxpayer dollars.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has welcomed the release of the Victorian Government's Victorian Freight Plan 2025-30, describing it as a positive step toward strengthening the freight network and delivering improved outcomes for Victorian agriculture.

The much maligned Public Transport Levy, which sees Toowoomba Region residents fork out money regardless of where they live in the region, has been defended by Mayor Geoff McDonald. Mayor McDonald said Council was aware that many residents, particularly in rural and regional townships, had provided feedback on the value of the levy…

The Towong Shire Council is expecting a large turnout for the community rally in Corryong this Sunday calling for a new single-site regional hospital on a greenfield site in Albury Wodonga. Sunday's protest is the latest step in a protracted campaign that has snowballed since the NSW and Victorian governments announced a joint $558 million funding commitment to redevelop the existing Albury Base hospital.

This year’s Spanish mackerel stock assessment found the population was now likely to have doubled since the 2021 review. Based on this, the Department Primary Industries has proposed raising Spanish mackerel catch limits for both commercial and recreational fishing.

Dr Siri Gamage. It’s been over three decades since trains last ran north of Armidale toward the Queensland border. But the question is no longer why the Northern Railway Line should be reopened—it’s why not, and when ... Reactivating the disused railway line could deliver enormous benefits for both NSW and Queensland. The infrastructure may be old, but the opportunity is very current ... There are five compelling reasons to revive this corridor ...