Labor’s basin plan binned by NFF and Greens
Farm leaders believe Labor’s new Murray Darling Basin Plan will hand the government “unchecked power” to shut down farms, as the Greens threaten to block the Bill.
Politics
Nats conference: Net-zero stays, calls for wind, solar moratorium
An internal push for the Nationals to drop its climate pledge has been defeated, while members called on Labor to temporarily halt new large-scale energy projects.
National Party pushing for net-zero backflip
The Nationals will soon debate whether to dump their 2050 net-zero commitments at the party’s upcoming federal conference.
Senators to ANZ: Stump up for rural banking
ANZ recently enjoyed one of its biggest profit packages ever, but the big bank is holding out on joining a key rural finance program.
SA parliament: 450GL basin buyout impacts ‘minimal’
South Australia’s water boss Ben Bruce says the economic impact of the Commonwealth’s 450GL Murray Darling Basin buyout will be “minimal”.
Pocock fights for farmers’ futures
Senator David Pocock has taken a stand on government policies that disfavours farming since winning an ACT Senate seat as an independent last year.
Farms no-go zone for surprise union visits: NFF
Farm leaders are concerned the government’s new workplace reforms will increase red tape and see union officials potentially enter farms without notice.
Water buyouts to begin
Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek will wade into the water market to buy up to 450 gigalitres, bypassing socio-economic tests.
Trade alliance angered by minister’s social media post
The Freight and Trade Alliance has fired an angry letter to Agriculture Minister Murray Watt in reaction to a social media post.
Industry claims IR law potential restricted by gag orders
Farm and business leaders want public consultation before new workplace laws are tabled, claiming NDAs have restricted them from discovering potential impacts.
Andrews’ roads, Comm Games, SEC promises fall flat
Regional Victorians can be forgiven for growing tired of Premier Daniel Andrews’ pre-election promises that turn out to be all spin and no substance, writes Peter Hunt.
Calls to block basin buyouts
Irrigators are demanding to know what action Victorian Water Minister Harriet Shing will take to stop federal water buyouts.
Victoria rejects Basin deal
Victoria has refused to sign up to an Albanese government deal that would allow water buyouts towards 450 gigalitres for environment.
Nationals: Regions deserve ‘fair share’ of $3.5b housing bonus
Independent MP Helen Haines and Nationals leader David Littleproud have vowed to ensure the regions don’t miss out on the government’s new housing package.
National supply chain probe begins
A rapid-fire federal and state government inquiry to determine whether Australia’s freight and supply chain strategy remains fit-for-purpose has begun.
‘Anti-farming’ motion fails to pass at ALP national conference
A push to ban native forest logging has failed at the ALP national conference, but delegates did agree to begin transitioning towards “deforestation commitments”.
Farmers ‘considerably concerned’ about emissions target policy
Farm leaders want to help federal treasury knock any rough edges from rules that might negatively impact livestock producers.
Grassroots ALP push to end land clearing, native logging
Labor’s largest internal lobby arm will heap pressure on the Albanese government to put an end to broadacre land clearing and native logging.
New water trade rules carry six-figure warning
A draft Water Market Reform Bill paves the way for a new code of conduct and imposes hefty penalties for insider trading.
Plibersek to extend Murray Darling Basin Plan deadline
The deadline to deliver the Murray Darling Basin Plan will be extended, but a new date has not been set.
Wool boss: ‘Ill-informed’ live export ban will hurt all producers
WA sheep producers will be the first affected by a ban of live exports, but a leading ag figure says all Australian farmers should be worried if it happens.
Government hoping migration revamp will help ag’s worker woes
A historic overhaul of Australia’s migration system would consider directly targeting workers with ag-related skills as part of the solution for the sector’s labour crisis.
Ag emissions under government microscope
Farm leaders have welcomed a new national plan for agricultural emissions as Labor targets sharp reductions to meet its carbon targets.
End in sight for caged eggs
Australia’s agriculture ministers have agreed to phase out the battery hen industry nationwide by 2036.
Track-and-trace plan for agriculture
Ag ministers have launched a national traceability strategy, while farm leaders work together on sheep and goat electronic tag transition.
Five-year sheep phase out: Learnings from the live beef ban
A financial expert who helped farmers navigate the 2011 live cattle trade ban has urged policymakers to ensure producers do not lose the farm this time.
Budget: Regional infrastructure projects face the axe
A review into the nation’s 738 already-approved infrastructure projects has raised fears that many regional, rural and remote works will be scuttled.
‘Broken’ migration system hurting agriculture
A scathing review into the nation’s migration system has found ineffective programs contributed to agriculture’s “substantial ongoing shortage of workers”.
‘Nervous’ farming sector seeks government help from activists
Farmers’ plea for government support against animal activists has been met with a promise “to ensure continual improvements to animal welfare practices”.
Plibersek struggles on Basin Plan delivery
Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek is encountering significant bumps on her path to deliver the Murray Darling Basin Plan.
Flood of ‘ideological’ water buyouts loom
Canberra is poised to launch a tidal wave of irrigation community water buyouts at the urging of environment groups.
‘Contemptuous’ live export panel snubs farmers
WA producers are fuming over the government’s “shambolic” handling of live export consultation meetings, called with no advance notice.
What dairy farmers want from the federal budget
If he could, Aaron Thomas would invite Treasurer Jim Chalmers to spend a weekend on a dairy farm ahead of the budget to see what he’s up against.
Littleproud: Retailers not backing ag against ‘corporate terrorism’
The Nationals leader has urged government, industry and retailers to get vocal in supporting farmers in the face of attacks launched by animal activists.
Response to floods a disgrace
OPINION: Half a year on from northern Victoria’s devastating spring floods, the state government’s subpar response has let down entire communities in crisis.
Live sheep task force chair admits ban will hurt farmers
Fired-up exporters want Agriculture Minister Murray Watt to extend the live sheep ban panel’s reporting deadline after “extraordinary” comments from its chair.
China to review barley tariffs
China will review the heavy tariffs it imposed on Australian barley in 2020 as Australia agrees to temporarily suspended a World Trade Organisation appeal.
Paper trail worsens biosecurity backlog
The cash-strapped agriculture department is facing a massive backlog of import declaration paperwork after it started sacking contractors.
Victorian budget: What to expect
Rural and regional Victorians shouldn’t expect much out of the 2023-24 state budget, apart from hip-pocket pain.
Ag Dept reports a $60m black hole
The Department of Agriculture expects to record a $60 million shortfall in cost recovery this financial year as it bans staff training and travel and sacks contractors in an attempt to make ends meet.
Explosive report: CFA stations, trucks ‘beyond useful life’
Victoria’s firefighting fleet is “aged beyond useful life”, putting firefighters’ safety at risk, according to the government-appointed fire services monitor.
Biosecurity fees to rise in bid to recover costs
The federal Department of Agriculture — which is running at a major loss — has proposed increases to its biosecurity fees for the first time since 2015.
NSW election: Rural crossbench holds onto seats
A group of five MPs proved the rural independent movement was alive and well in NSW over the weekend.
$54 million soil monitoring program axed six months early
The program was billed as a way of helping farmers measure their soil’s carbon content so they could earn and trade ACCUs.
Europe a live sheep exporting powerhouse
Europe has been quick to criticise Australia’s animal welfare standards but the continent is home to five of the top 10 largest live sheep exporters in the world.
Agriculture reps left off Dan’s China trip guest list
Daniel Andrews is off to China this week to talk trade — so why is no-one from the Victorian agricultural sector tagging along?
Irrigator offer prices locked in until 2024
The government has demanded irrigators make “binding and irrevocable” offers to sell water to the federal government at prices that are locked in for 12 months.
Regional Aussies hit hardest by rental crisis
Regional Australian families are being evicted following massive rental hikes while others are sleeping in their cars, according to a Greens spokesman.
Revealed: Ag’s biggest political spenders
Agribusinesses and industry groups splashed $2.2 million on political parties in the lead up to the 2022 election. See who the biggest spenders were.
Dalton’s son snaps up water ahead of federal buyout
MP Helen Dalton’s son and fellow family farm director snapped up NSW Murray water entitlements ahead of the federal buyout.
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