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Charlie Peel is The Australian’s rural reporter, covering agriculture, politics and issues affecting life outside of Australia’s capital cities. He began his career in rural Queensland before joining The Australian in 2017. Since then, Charlie has covered court, crime, state and federal politics and general news. He has reported on cyclones, floods, bushfires, droughts, corporate trials, election campaigns and major sporting events.

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Charlie Peel

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dietNation

Generic images of various steaks served at The Breakfast Creek hotel. Pictures: Jack Tran

Researchers caution against activists’ anti-red meat agenda

The guaranteed benefits of eating red meat outweigh the “low-certainty” evidence used to discourage its consumption, researchers say.

Charlie Peel

exclusivePolitics

CANBERRA, Australia - NewsWire Photos - October 14, 2024: Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins holds a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

ALP racing clock to fulfil agriculture promises ahead

Of the 22 agriculture-related pledges made by Labor ahead of the 2022 election, seven were completed by November, government briefing notes reveal.

Charlie Peel

tradeNation

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 20: A general view of shipping containers at Port Botany on January 20, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. The Guardian reported that workers at DP World have been involved in industrial action since October 2023. Actions include limited stop-work orders, as the union seeks a 16% pay increase over two years. The stevedore company manages some 40% of container traffic in Australia. A protracted industrial dispute would have severe knock-on effects on supply chains and businesses small and big around the country. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Crippling cargo fees hit grain exports

The competition watchdog says reform may be needed to address ‘market failures’ at Australian ports that are damaging grain farmers and exporters.

Charlie Peel

exclusivePolitics

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong shake hands as they meet at the State Department in Washington, DC, on January 21, 2025. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)

Trade levies ‘can beef up our opportunities’

While most of the world shudders at the prospect of looming tariffs imposed by Donald Trump, some of Australia’s cattle producers see it as a positive opportunity.

Charlie Peel

trump ascensionPolitics

US President Donald Trump signs executive orders during the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena, in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)

Farmers lobby to avert trade tariffs

Producers and countries around the world breathed a sigh of relief when Donald Trump did not introduce blanket tariffs on the first day of his presidency, as promised.

Charlie Peel

carbonAgribusiness

Native forest near Meunna, in Tasmania's Takayna / Tarkine region, due to be logged. These forests were not included for protection in the 2012 forests peace deal. But with trade-off national parks never delivered in full under the deal, even more moderate green groups are now dropping support for the agreement and demanding an end to all native forest logging. Picture: Bob Brown Foundation.

Forest carbon credit plan ‘fundamentally flawed’: researcher

Conservationists say carbon credits are a better source of revenue for state forests than timber, but a leading researcher says it could lead to increased carbon emissions.

Charlie Peel

tourismNation

Lake Tyrrell in VictoriaÃs west. An aerial view of water receding into Lake Tyrrell creates a tree-like shape in the salty banks. Recent rain adds textures to the banks of the lake, as the lake gradually fills. Picture: Alex Coppel

A picture of natural beauty: lake’s splendour transforms Mallee town

Locals feared the Covid pandemic would stop the steady stream of visitors to Lake Tyrrell. Instead it has become an attraction for Australians looking to explore their own backyard.

Charlie Peel

agricultureAgribusiness

The famous Giant Ram outside the town of Wagin in Western Australia's wheatbelt has been draped with a Keep the Sheep banner in protest against the Albanese government's live export ban. Picture: Charlie Peel

Live sheep exports a hot election issue

Animal welfare activists will target marginal seats in Western Australia and around the country over plans to reverse Labor’s live sheep export ban.

Charlie Peel

agricultureNation

Mackay cane farmer. Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables Central district committee chairman and director, Steve McKeering, owns a cane farm at Mirani in the Pioneer Valley. Picture: Contributed

Farmers’ hopes crushed by faltering mills

Sugar prices are at historical highs but more than 1 million tonnes of cane was left unharvested this season, leaving farmers fuming.

Charlie Peel

carbon capturePolitics

Premier Daniel Andrews flies in a helicopter over logging coups in Gipslands state parks. In the images you can see areas either newly logged and in various states of regrowth, surrounded by non logged areas. These images were taken in 2020 while the premier was on his was to visit a bushfire recovery area. Picture: Jason Edwards

Timber industry wants Albanese to take an axe to forest lock-up proposal

The timber industry wants the Albanese government to axe a proposed scheme that would allow states to generate carbon credits for locking up state forests.

Charlie Peel

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/charlie-peel/page/2