Speculation surrounds wheat tariffs
There has been a flurry of speculation that India may scrap the 40 per cent tariff it imposed on wheat imports.
Politics
Live sheep exports: Pressure mounts for Senate inquiry
Agriculture Minister Murray Watt is under mounting pressure to refer legislation to end the live sheep export trade to a Senate committee for further scrutiny.
Pig inquiry: Call for CCTV on farms
Animal Justice Party, Green and Victorian Labor MPs have demanded radical animal welfare reforms, as part of a pig welfare inquiry.
Loy Yang one of seven proposed nuclear sites
Peter Dutton has revealed the seven sites the Coalition has identified as proposed new nuclear power plants as part of its “balanced energy mix”.
Three in four submissions against live ex ban
The parliamentary committee charged with scrutinising the live sheep export phase out decision has received an overwhelming number of submissions against the proposal.
Cattle Australia told to pay up
The National Farmers’ Federation wants Cattle Australia to start paying the full membership subscription rate, or it will replace it with an internal iteration.
VFF to resign from peak farming councils
In an effort to stay afloat, the Victorian farm lobby has written to the peak commodity councils informing them of its decision to terminate its memberships.
Infrastructure program oversubscribed but underfunded
More than 300 projects were assessed as suitable for funding from the Growing Regions Program but just 40 were deemed successful.
Five beef plants regain China access
China is lifting its ban on imports from five major Australian beef exporters, in place since 2020. This is what we know.
Federal gov funding failures
The Albanese Government has failed to fund native fish recovery, feral cat control and $90 million for 1000 Landcare rangers.
‘Inherent risk’: Basin at crisis point
Irrigators are facing water rationing after it was revealed the 2022-23 floods washed 14 times more sand into the Barmah choke. See the maps.
‘Outdated’: Calls for hemp liberalisation
A crossbencher calling for the liberalisation of Victoria’s strict hemp cultivation laws says backing from the VFF has accelerated the case for change. This is where the bill currently stands.
Farmer frustration boils over
In an open letter to the Prime Minister, the National Farmers’ Federation has detailed their grievances with the government’s handling of farming issues.
Farmer and student mental health funded into 2025
A boost of cash from the state government will keep the lights on for two rural mental health services at a time of great need.
‘Clear disconnect’: NFF issues vote of no confidence
Australia’s peak farming leaders have taken the unprecedented step of issuing a vote of no confidence in the federal government, over its live sheep export ban.
Buried budget table reveals 100GL basin buyout
Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek intends to spend $613.4m in 2024-25 to strip 100 gigalitres out of irrigation communities.
‘We’re united and will fight them coming onto our land’
The company charged with rolling out the controversial VNI West powerlines is in the midst of lodging an application to gain statutory powers to compulsorily acquire and access hundreds of regional properties.
What to expect from tonight’s budget
Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ third budget will be remembered as the beginning of the end of the live sheep export trade.
Landcare legacy ‘under threat’
Landcare says the Victorian Government’s year-by-year approach to funding is undercutting conservation work across the state.
Road cuts ‘a maintenance bomb’
Contractors are warning failing to spend money on resurfacing roads today, will cost taxpayers 10 times as much to repair once they collapse.
Drought funding gets a $519 million boost
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will invest more than half a billion dollars to refocus the Coalition’s Future Drought Fund and prepare farmers for more severe weather.
‘Optimistic’: Beef export ban could be lifted
More than $500 million worth of Australian beef exports could be set to re-enter China if restrictions on eight abattoirs are lifted ahead of a visit by Premier Li Qiang next month.
2024 federal budget: What to expect for agriculture
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers will hand down his third budget on May 14. This is what farm lobby groups are asking for and what the farming sector should expect.
NFF to boycott biosecurity panel
The peak farm lobby has declined its invitation to join the federal government new biosecurity advisory panel in protest over the proposed biosecurity protection levy.
Calls to halve cattle duty ignored
Farmers calls to halve the cattle transition duty from $5 have been ignored by Victorian Agriculture Minister Ros Spence.
Gov rejects recommendations, APVMA to stay in Armidale
The federal government does not want to repeat the “mistakes” of the regulator’s controversial move to Armidale in 2016.
Secret survey exposes disastrous condition of our roads
A survey revealing the true catastrophic conditions of Victoria’s regional roads was kept a secret by the government. Now, The Weekly Times can reveal its shocking findings.
Wild dog controls to cease in northwest
The Victorian Government will end dingo and wild dog control in the state’s north west. Here’s what it means for landowners.
North East Libs scramble for candidates
With a veteran MP stepping down for health reasons, the Liberal Party faces a pressing need to find strong candidates for federal and state elections.
‘Ludicrous’: Ag leaders oppose right-to-disconnect laws
Agriculture will feel the pinch on two fronts following a pair of industrial relations reforms being made in Canberra. See the concerns.
Farm biosecurity tax revamp
The Albanese Government has cut farmer contributions to the controversial farm biosecurity levy, hitting importers for more.
Canberra to see same characters in 2025
13 of the 14 currently serving federal MPs for Victoria intend to campaign for another stint in Canberra at the next election. See the state of play.
Government refuses to reveal details of $55m buyback
The federal government has been slammed for “double standards” after keeping the price, type and source of water it is buying secret, following their first round of Basin buybacks.
2024 duck season to go ahead
After months of debate and an Upper House inquiry, hunters have been given the right to harvest duck and quail this season.
Farm leaders call for ‘unfair’ biosecurity levy to be scrapped
More than 50 agricultural groups have signed a joint letter urging the federal government to drop its controversial biosecurity levy. See the full letter.
Animal justice a shared task
Our laws will finally acknowledge that animals feel and perceive their environment, says Animal Justice MP Georgie Purcell.
Where banks have shut in the bush in 2023
More than 70 banks closed in regional Australia this year. See where they closed and the banks on the chopping block in 2024.
Labor tightens Farm Household Allowance rules
The federal government has swung the budget axe over a crucial farmer hardship payment. See the details.
Working holiday visa to be reviewed amid exploitation claims
The working holidaymaker visa program will be put under review next year, as part of the federal government’s new 10-year migration strategy.
IR deal fires up farmers
Labor has sealed a deal with the Greens and crossbenchers to pass its industrial relations reforms – but not everyone is happy with the new labour hire rules.
Do we need a minister for food?
The creation of a new ministry has been raised as one way to safeguard the nation’s paddock to plate supply chain. See the other recommendations here.
Why the Victorian Government is preparing for political roulette
The state government is balancing duck hunting and cannabis reforms, alongside new animal welfare laws, ahead of the next election.
Senate passes Restoring Our Rivers bill
The Senate has passed the Albanese Government’s Restoring Our Rivers Bill, clearing the way for a federal buyout of up to 700GL out of irrigation communities.
How Labor’s next moves could affect Aussie farmers
Agriculture leaders’ confidence in Labor’s legislative agenda is eroding, as the federal government pursues a raft of policy changes.
Europe loses critical minerals ‘opportunity’ over ag stance
Trade Minister Don Farrell reveals his “bitter disappointment” at the breakdown of free-trade talks with Europe, and what it means for minerals and agriculture.
NFF ‘applauds’ EU free trade stance
Industry leaders have welcomed the hardline approach of Trade Minister Don Farrell, who walked away from EU free-trade talks due to agricultural market access.
New NFF president on his first priorities
We speak to new NFF president David Jochinke about the NFF’s new campaign, priorities for farmers, expectations of the government and more. Watch the interview here.
David Jochinke elected National Farmers’ Federation president
The Victorian grains farmer will replace outgoing president Fiona Simson after beating two other contenders to the top job.
China to review wine tariff
Trade tensions continue to thaw as Beijing agrees to review its crippling tariff on Australian wine, leaving grapegrowers optimistic and wary in equal measure.
Farmers slam biosecurity tax
Ag leaders say farmers who grow grain could end up contributing a disproportionate amount to the federal biosecurity levy.
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