Questions about waste collection services if fuel crisis escalates
The City of Wanneroo, Shire of Gingin and WALGA have been asked if local governments have any concerns about not being able to provide services such as waste collection services as the fuel crisis potentially escalates in coming weeks.
Tasmanian farmers win as accelerated breeding gets the green light: TasFarmers
TasFarmers welcomes the Tasmanian Government’s decision to update its gene technology policy, enabling farmers to access advanced plant breeding technology. TasFarmers CEO Nathan Calman said the decision reflects a practical, evidence-based step forward for the state’s agricultural sector.
Farmers hit hard by food waste – New national trial targets $2.5bn in losses: Hort Innovation
Australian fruit and vegetable growers are missing out of sales of up to one million tonnes of produce that never makes it to market, estimated at up to $2.5 billion a year. In response, a new national research program aims to help farmers keep more value from every harvest by tackling surplus and losses on-farm.
NSW Government introduces temporary freight measures to keep goods moving and help ease fuel pressure: Minns, Sharpe, Graham, Mookhey, Scully, Aitchison
The NSW Government is boosting freight efficiency to keep goods moving and help reduce pressure on fuel supply in NSW, working closely with the Commonwealth and other states under the new National Fuel Security Plan. In line with Level 2 of the Plan - Keeping Australia Moving - these measures will increase access to the road network for larger trucks that can carry more goods in a single trip, and ease restrictions on operating hours.
CLP takes unprecedented action to hold fuel companies to account: Yan
The Finocchiaro CLP Government has enacted the Price Exploitation Prevention Act for the first time, since its inception in 1949, in an unprecedented move to manage the on-going fuel crisis.
Narungga still a nailbiter… recount expected
Michelle Daw. The Liberal Party has requested a recount in the seat of Narungga, with the result still undecided after a knife-edge finish. As of 10am on Monday, March 31, One Nation candidate Chantelle Thomas was leading by just 77 votes, holding 12,078 votes (50.2 per cent) on preferences, ahead of Liberal candidate Tania Stock on 12,001 votes (49.8 per cent).
Irrigators face tighter rules as NSW lifts Menindee threshold for floodplain harvesting
Irrigators in the northern basin will face tighter conditions for floodplain harvesting under new rules introduced by the NSW Government, which has raised the threshold at which water access is permitted. Under the previous framework, irrigators could capture water from floodplains once the Menindee Lakes system held 195 gigalitres. That trigger has now been lifted to 250 gigalitres, meaning harvesting cannot proceed until the lakes are more substantially filled.
Blanket clearance for buffel weed after import
The controversial buffel grass permits announced by Environment Minister Joshua Burgoyne last week apply only to its importation from outside the NT. Once here, the use, propagation, selling and transport of the declared weed has blanket clearance on pastoral lease land, nearly half of the NT, as the Minister is due to approve.
Being up in the air
I went to Adelaide yesterday. This is very naughty given that NT Tourism Minister Marie-Clare Boothby had just announced a strategy aiming at making more money for our travel industry ... My booking with Qantas triggered an avalanche of texts and emails...
NSW Government issues formal notices seeking fuel information: Sharpe
The NSW Minister for Energy has issued formal information notices to a number of liquid fuel companies, as NSW responds to fuel distribution challenges arising from the conflict in the Middle East. Last week the NSW Government sought voluntary information from major fuel companies about historical stocks and sales as well as future orders and forecasts.
Katter continues 14 years of calls for National Fuel Security via robust ethanol mandate: Robbie Katter
...the Premier stood on Labor’s position and refused to commit to taking tangible action on fuel security by implementing a robust ethanol mandate, Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader, and Member for Traeger has said. In opposition the LNP put three bills into Parliament to implement an ethanol mandate, then refused to support the KAP bill in 2014.
NSW Nationals demand fuel guarantee for regional communities and businesses: Singh
The NSW Nationals are calling on the Minns Labor Government to use its emergency powers to guarantee diesel and fuel supplies to regional NSW.
War fuels anxiety
A survey conducted last week by market research agency Nature shows that 97 per cent of Australians are concerned about fuel supplies amidst current global tensions. In response to concerns about fuel shortages, the Victorian Farmers Federation is urging drivers and the government to make changes to commuting. Meanwhile, the State Government has introduced penalties for petrol price-gouging and the Opposition is saying the government is not doing enough...
Birchip silo art reaches finish post
A defining moment in Birchip's history now stands proudly above the town, with the remarkable story of Ray Neville and Rimfire brought to life on the Birchip silos. The project, driven by Birchip Community Forum, was first initiated by the late Joan Glen in 2023 and has been passionately carried forward by her husband Rod.
Nats listen to water users as pressure rises
The Nationals team met with Murray-Darling water users in Narrandera on Sunday, speaking about increasing pressures from water buybacks, fuel costs and energy costs. Key stakeholders, businesses and members of the public met with key Nationals members to have their water issues heard at a roundtable meeting.
Fuelling cost for communities
"We've lost so much business. People haven't even been coming here for drinks really," said Vijay at Barham Metro fuel station ... Vijay, like many rural communities, is currently being squeezed by Australia's current fuel situation; one sensible people have warned about for decades ... It's not just fuel stations feeling the pinch ...
Fuel crisis hits breaking point as Government leaves WA farmers in the dark: Hunter
New data from more than 700 primary producers shows fuel supply is falling short of demand by millions of litres across regional Western Australia, with the most significant gaps in the grain growing regions ... "Time is critical and running out. The Cook Labor Government must intervene immediately and redirect supply to farmers as a matter of absolute urgency. The Premier has the power to act — and he must."
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.
