Preference irony as Labor helps Tim over the line
Hugh Schuitemaker. Tim Whetstone's election eve claim that One Nation was "preferencing Labor" in Chaffey came just hours before Labor preferences delivered him a fifth term as MP. On Friday, Mr Whetstone said One Nation candidate Jenny Troeth was preferencing Labor in Chaffey, following the discovery of an undisclosed number of pre-poll voters with One Nation how-to-vote cards preferencing Labor ahead of Liberal.
Tim still on top
Hugh Schuitemaker. The Riverland's returned State MP says the weekend's election result, which saw a 19 per cent swing away from his party, was a "humbling experience" for him. Tim Whetstone was able to secure his fifth term as Chaffey MP with victory in last Saturday's State Election, where as of late yesterday he had received 6543, or 35.5 per cent, of first preference votes.
“I am sorry” – McBride ends political career
Nick McBride has apologised to his MacKillop voters and confirmed his political career is over, as a surge toward One Nation reshapes the race. As of midday March 23, with about 70 per cent of votes counted, Mount Gambier councillor, One Nation’s Jason Virgo was leading on provisional first preference votes, with Liberal candidate Rebekah Rosser close behind.
JUTE to lead statewide support for regional theatre makers under refreshed RASN network
Queensland’s regional theatre sector is set for a new phase of growth, with Cairns-based JUTE Theatre Company appointed as the state’s dedicated industry provider under the refreshed Regional Arts Services Network (RASN).
Result on tenterhooks
Michelle Daw. Just a hair’s breadth separates One Nation and the Liberal Party in Narungga as preference counting continues to determine the outcome of Saturday’s state election. As at 10am today, Tuesday March 24, One Nation’s Chantelle Thomas was leading against the Liberal Party’s Tania Stock by an estimated 98 votes. One Nation had garnered 7, 416 votes compared to 4,214 for Mrs Stock.
Fuel, freight and the real pressure point: ALRTA
Anthony Boyle. The past week has confirmed what operators already know: the issue is not whether Australia can source fuel overall. The issue is getting fuel into regional areas, at a price freight businesses can survive. Australia is not facing a broad national fuel shortage.
A better lifestyle through a stronger economy – Crisafulli Government secures bigger local benefits from proposed North West copper project: Bleijie
The proposed $2.3 billion Eva Copper mine has been declared a “large resource project” under the Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act 2017, ensuring the Cloncurry and Mount Isa communities benefit directly from its development and operation. The declaration means, if approved, the project will ensure local employment, local procurement and long term social and economic benefits for the Mt Isa and Cloncurry communities.
Buffel grass plan ‘a farce’
After decades of government inaction, this is the tragic admission this week about Central Australia’s greatest environmental catastrophe: “Despite the very high risk rating of buffel grass it is considered that [it] cannot be feasibly eradicated from the NT at this time due to its widespread distribution and biological persistence.
Australia’s fuel security – alternative fuels: Monash University
Professor Bhattacharya from Monash University says advancing domestic refining and feedstock technologies is critical to improving long-term fuel security. Monash engineers have developed a pyrolysis technology that converts end-of-life tyres and plastics into high-value liquid hydrocarbons, creating a new, circular source of refinery-ready feedstocks.
CLP delivers finalised Buffel Grass Weed Management Plan: Burgoyne
The Finocchiaro CLP Government has finalised the Northern Territory Buffel Grass Weed Management Plan 2026-36, which provides certainty for pastoralists and outlines a strategic path forward to manage its impact on the environment into the future ... “Buffel grass creates significant challenges relating to fire and environmental management and is also an important feed source for pastoralists and their cattle,” said Mr Burgoyne.
Simplified crabbing rules proposed for West Coast bioregion
Public consultation is now open on proposed changes to blue swimmer crab rules in the West Coast bioregion to make the rules easier to understand and to provide better fishing experiences for recreational fishers. The proposed changes would bring in one set of bag and boat limit rules in the West Coast bioregion, which runs from Black Point east of Augusta to the Zuytdorp Cliffs north of Kalbarri.
Bluesfest in liquidation, 2026 cancelled
Thousands of music fans have had their Easter plans thrown into chaos after Australia’s most awarded music festival Bluesfest announced the 2026 event at the Byron Events Farm at Tyagarah won’t go ahead, just three weeks out from its scheduled start.
No plans to privatise national parks
Minister for the Central Coast, Member for Wyong David Harris has hit back at suggestions made by the State Liberal Party's Shadow Minister Jacqui Munro that there is something sinister about plans to allow some campgrounds in national parks to be set aside for private operators to manage.
How to create a fuel shortage without running out of fuel
Yet drive through Perth and the metropolitan fuel system appears to be operating normally. No ration notices. No capped pumps. No anxious motorists sneaking jerry-cans into the back of Hiluxes ... something more curious is emerging: selective rationing.
Roundtables won’t keep the diesel flowing
There was also something about prioritising regional areas. What there was not was anything resembling a system to track where fuel shortages are actually occurring, or to require distributors to send fuel where it is most needed.
WA diesel crisis spirals as Cook Government fails to act: Love, Hunter
The Nationals WA Leader Shane Love MLA has blasted the Cook Labor Government as impotent in the face of Western Australia’s escalating diesel crisis, accusing it of failing to use the powers available to ensure fuel reaches the industries and communities that keep the State running.
Coalition reunion shelved in Chaffey
Hugh Schuitemaker. The Coalition’s recent reunion has failed to reach Chaffey. In this weekend’s SA Election, The Nationals are again running a candidate against Liberal MP Tim Whetstone. The sitting member has returned the favour by preferencing Nationals contender Imelda Adamson Agars fifth in the nine-candidate field.
NLC supports cave research
Naracoorte Lucindale Council will contribute $60,000 towards a $900,000 Naracoorte Caves research project over three years. But reflecting on councillor training, some elected members are also concerned the state government is “cost-shifting”, forcing ratepayers already paying taxes to fund more and more state responsibilities ... “We are the council with the state's only world heritage site, which is incredible, and we get 100,000 people visiting our district because of the caves,” CEO Kelly Westell said.
World desperate for Queensland resources, LNP Government still says no! : Robbie Katter
The LNP Government in Queensland is blindly holding sticking to their long-held woke position alongside Labor that Queensland’s rich uranium resources should be locked away underground, at a time when Europe is turning back to nuclear ... “Are we going to sit on our collective hands and watch yet another opportunity go by? At current prices alone, we’re talking about an industry worth tens of billions of dollars,” asks Leader of the Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) and state Member for Traeger Robbie Katter.
Panic buying of fuel more of a problem than supply as regional fuel stocks most under threat, government says
The Roundtable of more than 50 industry and government leaders met ... to discuss the fuel issues affecting Australia from the conflict in the Middle East ... While the Federal Government is responsible for Australia’s fuel supply and has advised that national fuel stocks remain secure, the Roundtable agreed to immediate actions by the State Government to address local distribution issues and minimise price impacts for consumers.
Fuel fury
Caitlin Menadue. Yorke Peninsula farmers, businesses and residents are grappling with the ongoing fuel crisis, as prices soar, independent retailers start to run dry and there’s no visible end in sight .... "Tractors, sprayers, seeders and trucks all rely on diesel to operate, and with seeding approaching it is essential that grain producers can access reliable fuel supplies."
Rushworth students build lifeline for wildlife after bushfires: Cleeland
Students at Rushworth P–12 College are helping restore wildlife habitat across fire-affected parts of northern Victoria, building more than 100 nesting boxes for native animals displaced by recent bushfires. Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland MP recently visited the school’s HOPE (Hands-On Practical Education) program to see the project underway and meet students working alongside volunteers from the Rushworth Field & Game Club.
