State politics

South Australian mineral and petroleum exports increased by a remarkable 14.3 per cent to more than $5 billion in 2023, according to new Australian Bureau of Statistics figures. Of our $17.9 billion export record in 2023 reported by the ABS, the resources sector contributed $5 billion, according to ABS data.

The largest contract ever awarded by the NT Government’s Legacy Mines Unit will see six months’ worth of work undertaken in the Tennant Creek region to address safety risks from historical mining activities. The $4 million contract represents a major boost to the local Tennant Creek economy and Territory jobs.

Police have charged 740 people with around 1,323 offences across the Darling Downs district since Operation Whiskey Unison began in March last year. The high visibility policing operation focuses on preventing, disrupting, and investigating youth crime through community engagement and patrols at intelligence-driven hotspot locations.

"I’ve been very clear that my government does not support buybacks. This is not an empty promise – I have already demonstrated that I am taking action by releasing the NSW Alternatives to Buybacks Plan in February that clearly shows how we plan to minimise the exposure of regional communities to water buybacks": NSW Minister for Water, Rose Jackson.

The Cook Government has congratulated Bellevue Gold for officially opening its $252 million Bellevue Gold Project, which sees the mine reopen after sitting dormant for more than 20 years ... The company expects to produce more than 1.8 million ounces of gold over an initial 10-year mine life.

The Member for Benambra, Bill Tilley, says an ongoing cancer battle has forced his decision to quit politics when his current parliamentary term expires in 2026, for what will be 20 years of service to the electorate. Mr Tilley was diagnosed with leukemia late last year and he continues to be treated for the cancer that, while incurable, can be managed with specialist medical care.

Despite claims of support for the thousands of CFA volunteers ahead of this month’s second catastrophic fire day, numbers of fire ready volunteers continues to decline. Last week in State Parliament, Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes was still unable to confirm when the 48 heavy tankers promised to regional CFA brigades would be delivered.

Sarah Herrmann. Wallaroo Hospital’s full-time security measures have been extended until May while an external review to determine future protocol is completed. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation campaigned for better security at the site after a man smashed through two sets of entry doors and attacked the back of an ambulance at the hospital in February 2023.

The Federal and NT Governments have announced a landmark joint $4 billion dollar investment for housing in remote communities across the NT to help close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians ... The 10-year commitment to improve remote housing will see up to 270 homes built each year ... Labor Government is investing a further $120 million over three years to match the NT Government’s yearly investment ... in addition to the NT Government’s existing $40 million per annum investment in homelands housing and essential infrastructure upgrades.

Australia will be unable to feed itself and farmers will be driven out of business unless radical action is taken to reform the supermarket retail sector, NSW Farmers has told a Senate Inquiry ... NSW Farmers Vice President Rebecca Reardon said ultimately Australia’s food security was at stake, continuing calls for meaningful competition reform until fair prices for farmers and families were achieved.