Minister Jarvis a modern major Minister
I am the very model of a modern Minister for Agriculture. You know you’ve made it as a minister when the Premier grants you one of the prestigious 12th-floor offices in Dumas House – even better if it overlooks Kings Park, with sweeping views across the Swan River and out to Rottnest.
What’s your plan?
As the debate over rare earth mining in our district intensifies, concerns have been raised about the state government's commitment to conducting an independent investigation into the potential risks of the operation. Independent member for MacKillop, Nick McBride, put a spotlight on the issue during the March sitting of the House of Assembly, pressing Energy and Mining minister Tom Koutsantonis to outline his plan.
Radiotherapy essential
Radiotherapy for our region is essential, regardless of who forms government after the May 3, federal election. That is the key message from Limestone Coast Radiation Therapy Working Group chairman … "South Australia still remains an outlier as one of the only Australian states without the provision of radiation cancer treatment outside of its capital city, being Adelaide," Mr Haynes said.
Electioneering
Candidates have been on the campaign trail in the Bendigo electorate, revealing their plans and proposals. On Wednesday 2 April, Nationals candidate for Bendigo Andrew Lethlean and Liberal candidate for Bendigo Matt Evans joined Hon. Kevin Hogan MP ... to announce that an elected Liberal and National coalition government would deliver a $1 million upgrade to the Ironbark Gully Trail...
Opinion – Bauxite mine expansion approval exposes double standards for forest conservation in Western Australia: Lachlan McCaw
Dr Lachlan McCaw AFSM. Federal environmental approval recently granted for expansion of the South 32 Worsley bauxite mine has given the green light to clearing of a further 3855 hectares of native forest around Boddington south-east of Perth ... the community should question how much bauxite mining is enough, and whether closure of the native forest timber industry is simply a convenient smokescreen for increased mining in the jarrah forest.
Country Mayors call out failure to address funding shortfalls
Mayor Rick Firman OAM, Chairman of the NSW Country Mayors Association (CMA) has bemoaned the major parties’ lack of commitment to Local Government and their failure to address funding shortfalls that were clearly identified in the Interim Report into Local Government Sustainability.
Plan confirms sports funding not being use for sports pavilion
State Government Sports infrastructure funding is being used to build a shed that was always intended to house produce stall holders and retail market activities at the Bendigo showgrounds, a planning document from 2019 has confirmed. The market shed is being built instead of a proposed multi-purpose sports pavilion that was to include changerooms, a function room, umpire rooms, toilets and kiosk on the opposite side of the arena in the equestrian precinct.
Safety concerns secured at GBH
With placards in their hands, smiles on their faces, and their fists triumphantly raised high in the air, staff and members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) Clarence Valley Branch at Grafton Base Hospital (GBH) had cause for celebration on April 3 after they finally received the news they had been fighting hard for throughout the past couple of years.
Health district review after cancer patient dies
The Northern NSW Local Health District has apologised to the family of a Grafton cancer patient who died last month just hours after leaving Grafton Base Hospital. Terminal cancer patient, 55-year-old Sandra Shipley died within hours of visiting Grafton Base Hospital on Saturday, March 22.
Hearing young Riverlanders speak on current challenges
Madison Eastmond. The South Australian Youth Forum (SAYF) All Voices Tour made its most-recent stop in the Riverland last weekend, with their local workshop hoping to further understand the shared passions, hopes, and struggles of regional youth ... the afternoon workshop hosting conversations on climate resilience, mental health resources, and the importance of agricultural wellbeing.
War of words over bypass funding
A political war of words has erupted over funding for the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass, with opposing parties accusing the other of holding up the project. Last week, Barker MP Tony Pasin and SA Liberal colleague, Ben Hood MLC, labelled Labor’s $525 million funding announcement a "cruel hoax", because the State Government had failed to commit any money to the project.
CLP puts agriculture industry front and centre at Food Futures: Maley
Food Futures is Australia's leading event on agricultural development in the north. The biennial conference is being held today and tomorrow (8-9 April 2025) at the Darwin Convention Centre, bringing together industry leaders, researchers, and government representatives to explore new opportunities for northern agriculture.
Suspected microalgae bloom kills SYP sea life
Dead sea creatures are being discovered along the east coast of southern Yorke Peninsula, believed to be linked to a microalgal bloom ... "We saw 30 to 40 dead octopus, and normally you have to really look to see one octopus during the daytime ... It was the saddest and most emotional dive I have ever had": diver Paul Macdonald.
Farmers’ mining plea rejected
Sarah Herrmann. “If you walk into State Parliament, in the House of Representatives, on the floor — embedded in the carpet — is wheat sheaves and grapes,” Pine Point farmer Brenton Davey says. “That was put there as recognition of what the primary producers have done for this state. And they’re walking all over us — on the carpet.”
Many voices at community forum
A community forum at Baringhup Hall on Wednesday 26 March attracted close to 50 attendees, many with comments and questions about the State Government's proposed Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF). Arranged and hosted by local campaigner Brian Fitzgerald, the forum featured representatives from local and state government plus the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF).
2032 Olympic venue for equestrian events
Toowoomba Equestrian Centre to be developed at the Toowoomba Showgrounds will benefit the entire region during and post the Olympics. The Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland (RASQ) CEO Damon Phillips says the project will leave our region with an equestrian centre capable of delivering national and international level events...
New nature-based tourist sites attract visitors to the Snowy Valleys
The Snowy Valleys community will today celebrate the grand opening of new tourism facilities in Bago State Forest, near the towns of Tumut, Batlow and Tumbarumba. The ‘Enhancing Nature Based Tourism’ project … has delivered new and upgraded visitor facilities serving as a drawcard for the regional tourism industry.
Mayor tells of family tragedy
Towong mayor, Cr Andrew Whitehead, was front and centre when 500 people gathered at Albury's QEII Square on Saturday to rally for a new single site, greenfield hospital on the border ... Speaking at the rally, Cr Whitehead said that "a broken system" had contributed to his father's death ...
Olympics dream comes true
When Greenmount resident and Clifton State High School's Year 11 student Ellie Stenzel stepped up to the microphone to make the opening address to the Equestrian Australia Board and the Olympic Committee in support of Toowoomba's bid to stage the Equestrian events she may not have realised the full importance of her speech to the future of equestrian events on the Downs.
Murray Cod returned to Macquarie River after five years at Fisheries Centre
After having spent five years in the NSW Government's Narrandera Fisheries Centre native fish hatchery, 19 mature Murray Cod saved from the drought-ravaged Macquarie River in 2019 have now been returned to their home waters.
Nationals back in town
The Warren Blackwood electorate has been returned to the WA Nationals with Bevan Eatts wrestling the Seat from Labor's Jane Kelsbie. Manjimup farmer and businessman Mr Eatts, recorded a 4 per cent swing to his party which had fallen at the last State Election to Labor's Jane Kelsbie in a 2.2 per cent swing.
A fresh start for Queensland – adult crime, adult time expands to 33 offences: Crisafulli, Frecklington, Purdie, Gerber
The Crisafulli Government is expanding its landmark Adult Crime, Adult Time laws to 33 youth crime offences, with new laws introduced to the Queensland Parliament ... The Making Queensland Safer (Adult Crime, Adult Time) Amendment Bill 2025 provides for an additional 20 Adult Crime, Adult Time offences, including attempted murder...
