Labor’s first year and what it meant for ag
With a year on the clock, the Albanese government is no longer shiny and new. We chat to Agriculture Minister Murray Watt on the highlights and lowlights from the past 12 months.
Politics
Threat emerges to irrigators’ water reliability
The Murray Darling Basin Authority’s reconciliation of the Basin Plan is set to cut the reliability of irrigators’ water supplies.
Future unclear for national labour hire authority
The government has failed to set a timeline for the long-awaited national authority aimed at cracking down on dodgy labour hire operators.
Producers call for undocumented worker amnesty
Producers and experts have renewed calls for an amnesty for undocumented workers, but Labor is remaining silent.
Road funding ripoff: Victoria left in the slow lane
NSW and Queensland received more than $10 billion each for road funding in the federal budget, but Victoria received $5.7 billion. Why?
Animal welfare rules to help gain international favour
A push to cement a set of animal welfare standards is being partly driven by government fears that Australia may lose traction in overseas markets.
New energy spend a mixed bag for farmers
Farm leaders say federal budget measures to encourage producers to switch to energy-efficient infrastructure are “helpful” but a “lopsided compromise”.
Producers want ‘more clarity’ on new levy hip-pocket pain
Livestock producers already pay a biosecurity levy. The federal government’s new biosecurity plan means they will now pay more.
Federal government working on container levy
Agriculture Minister Murray Watt has revealed the government is working on a long-awaited container levy to aid the nation’s biosecurity.
Farmers to pay almost $48m per year under new biosecurity levy
Here’s the breakdown of what each commodity will pay under the new biosecurity levy announced in Tuesday night’s budget.
Flower industry’s biosecurity fee plea
Australian flower growers say their industry must not be forgotten in the federal government’s new biosecurity levy.
Ag’s highlights from the federal budget
From biodiversity to PALM workers and live sheep exports to the extension of the instant asset write-off — here’s everything you need to know out of the federal budget.
Federal Budget 2023: $1 billion, four-year biosecurity boost
The Department of Agriculture was delivered a long-awaited sustainable biosecurity funding model in yesterday’s federal budget, but farmers must help pay for it.
Farmers: Time to get tough on activists
Farm leaders have called for all states to follow Western Australia in cracking down big-time on farm trespassers.
Beef problems emerge with UK trade deal
The free-trade agreement with the UK is a win for beef producers but not every producer will be able to cash in on the high value market.
Talks continue to secure ag visa workers
Negotiations with Vietnam to secure a small number of workers are ongoing, after Labor canned the former government’s ag visa scheme.
Renewed calls for regional hospital funding
Key regional health services are expected to miss out on funding in the state budget, despite waiting times for emergency care and surgery blowing out around Victoria.
EU farmers set to oppose FTA
European Union farmers appear ready to fight an EU-Australia free trade agreement, claiming a further influx of foreign products will hammer local growers.
Budget jukebox: 10 songs farmers might hear from government
How different does Jim Chalmers’ budget playlist look to the ag sector’s? We break down all the hits, from Let it Be to Fight for Your Right.
‘Game on’: Australia-UK trade deal fast-tracked
The UK free trade deal will come into effect this month — but is it all good news for agriculture?
NFF: Farmers already pay enough for biosecurity
The ag industry is buoyed by news that a sustainable biosecurity funding model will be announced in Tuesday’s federal budget, but says farmers already pay enough.
First Nations’ inland water target set at 3 per cent
The push is on to give First Nations’ people control over a larger slice of one of Australia’s most precious resources — fresh water.
Biosecurity budget to increase
A predicted federal budget funding boost should deliver Australian agriculture a long-awaited sustainable biosecurity funding model.
Flood easement buyouts back on the table
NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson has refused to rule out compulsory acquisition of flood easements on NSW Murray and Murrumbidgee riverside properties.
Farmers demand worker visa solution
The National Farmers’ Federation have renewed calls for a “purpose-built” visa for ag, with more than 100,000 jobs vacant across the food supply chain.
‘No downside’: Biodiversity to offset credits
Farmers may soon be rewarded more for environmental stewardship than short-term emission control measures, according to a key government adviser.
Duck hunting: Experts recommend season goes ahead
Leading waterfowl ecologists have developed a scientific model that recommends Victoria’s duck hunting season go ahead. See the daily bird bag limit.
Southern NSW council demerger kicks off
A “world’s best” approach will decide if a second southern NSW rural council demerges. Find out what’s happening.
Complete ban on duck hunting looms
Duck shooting could be banned ahead of the 2023 season after sources say the Andrews government put the decision off last year due to the election.
Ag department dollars undisclosed
The cost of rebranding Victoria’s agriculture department is being kept a secret, and the government has been called out for creating another “mega-department”.
Quota potential as Vic Libs reset
Following the 2022 electoral drubbing, two female regional Liberals say quotas should be considered — and new leader John Pesutto isn’t ruling it out.
Renewed calls for right to repair
Australian farmers are demanding a major tractor manufacturer provide right to repair and are calling on the federal government to introduce legislation.
Calls for mobile phone tower reform
Many mobile phone blackspots across regional Australia could be eradicated if some simple changes are made, MPs claim.
Inside the history of the ag department rebranding
Victoria has a new Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. We take a look at the history of the agriculture department — and its many names.
Kangaroo cull quota increases
Victoria’s kangaroo cull quota is creating friction in the upper house between a Shooters MP and Animal Justice MP.
Your guide to India tariff cuts
Australia’s crop farmers are among the big winners from a long-awaited trade deal with India. See which tariffs have been cut.
Popular independents get campaign cash
The major parties were the big winners in the AEC campaign cashback stakes, but smaller players also did well. See who got the most.
Road funding goes missing
A southwest Victorian council that was awarded more than $11 million to upgrade a dangerous road earlier this year has grown frustrated; the money hasn’t shown up.
Farmers forecast temporary worker exodus
The federal government has called time on a raft of temporary visas extended during Covid, causing panic for workers and employers alike.
The new names representing regional Victorians
Goulburn Valley dairy farmer Rikki-Lee Tyrrel is the first member of One Nation to win a seat in Victorian parliament. She’s not the only fresh face.
Dan’s snub on regional roads
After promising to govern for all Victorians after his latest election win, Daniel Andrews has turned down the chance to inspect crumbling rural roads.
NSW Labor cracks on basin buybacks
A Labor win at the NSW state election is set to open up water markets to federal water buybacks — as a “last resort”.
Ag to be subsumed in department restructure
Agriculture and forestry are set to be controlled by Victoria’s new Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. What does it mean for you?
New Libs leader Pesutto’s country connections
The Latrobe Valley’s Italian-Australian community have welcomed John Pesutto’s elevation to the Victorian Liberal leadership.
Pocock IR amendments a win for ag
Senate crossbencher David Pocock has notched some wins for farmers in changes to Labor’s controversial industrial relations bill.
Canberra preparing to enter water market
Canberra’s bureaucrats are rushing to buy water in the New Year, stripping Murray Darling Basin communities of their most precious resource.
Minor victories with seats in doubt
Several regional seats are still in doubt but key ministerial jobs have been confirmed, ahead of a solitary Spring St sitting day.
Former MPs plea for more funds for farmers in developing countries
Two ex-MPs have called for the federal government to boost its spending on foreign aid to farmers in developing countries.
Damning review of National Drought Agreement
A review into the national agreement has identified significant issues, and calls on the government to better support farmers and communities.
Dear Dan: Victoria’s roads need your urgent attention
The Weekly Times has written an open letter to Premier Daniel Andrews asking him to spell out his government’s commitment to fixing the state’s roads.
Original URL: https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/politics/page/4