Fish kills: Water policy tussle takes centre stage
A change of government in NSW would bring a major shake-up to the state’s water policy. Here’s what you need to know ahead of the election.
Politics
Farmers demand action over plant-based protein labelling
Farmers are calling for the federal government to act on its promise of clearer food labelling requirements, amid a flurry of new “mylks”.
Agriculture department racks up spending on consultants
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is spending tens of millions on consultants despite recording a deficit last financial year.
No workable options for organic industry
Australia’s $2.6 billion organic industry is back to square one after a regulatory impact statement finds no workable options.
Murray Darling Basin Plan failure
Basin states have delivered 2107 gigalitres to boost the Murray Darling Basin’s flows, but the ACT is yet to deliver a drop.
Fuel loads soar in Victoria
Forest Fire Management Victoria’s failure to reduce fuel loads means “accepting the same level of losses as Black Saturday”.
Truckie tax a warning for farmers
The federal government is assessing whether to increase heavy vehicles charges by as much as 30 per cent by 2025, raising the prospect of higher transport costs for farmers.
States to spend $2m on Barmah dredge assessment
A meeting of water ministers has opted to spend a further $2m before deciding whether to dredge the Barmah Choke.
Weekly talks to secure 1000 Vietnamese farm workers
The federal government has revealed discussions with Vietnam are alive to bring in workers under a visa scheme the Labor government axed last year.
Rural Victorian halls forced to fundraise for basics
Victoria’s rural halls are often owned by government but rarely see money from Spring Street, so locals are banding together to facilitate their upkeep.
D’Ambrosio strips farmers’ rights to appeal powerline placement
Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio has trampled landholders’ rights in a rush to build 600km of transmission lines and towers across rural properties.
Duck season cut to 35 days
The Andrews Government has ignored independent ecologists’ recommendations for a full 90-day season.
More buybacks on the table
Federal water minister Tanya Plibersek has confirmed more water buybacks are on the table as states call for more time to deliver the Basin Plan.
Basin buyback tenders to open March 23
The federal government has bought 78,300 megalitres more water than needed in 12 river valleys, but is still out to buy 41,100 megalitres more.
No buybacks: Ministers stand firm
The NSW and Victorian governments want federal irrigator buyouts taken off the table at this Friday’s meeting of the nation’s water ministers.
Organic industry ‘baffled’ by government inaction
Work began on mandatory domestic standards years ago, but progress has languished, and with it, millions in lost revenue for a booming industry.
‘Over-reliant’: Paper imports to skyrocket
Relying on Indonesia and China for all our copy paper shifts the environmental cost offshore, as images of cleared rainforests show.
Vic government ‘not doing a thing’ as more timber job losses loom
More than 1000 timber workers face the axe as VicForests makes a last-ditch appeal against the legal lockup of Victoria’s native forests.
Exporters slam government’s live sheep trade ban
The federal government has reconfirmed its promise to stop live sheep exports, while exporters say the phase-out ignores changes made to “an industry that has reformed”.
Animal welfare: States drag their feet on national standards
Just three states have implemented the national animal welfare standards and guidelines agreed to in 2016.
New rules ban building close to dams
New Victorian rules have been released prohibiting residential, industrial, or commercial developments close to dams, including those on farms.
Analysis: Dan’s big outdoor gamble
Premier Daniel Andrews has invested heavily in keeping anglers, boaters and hunters in Victoria’s most marginal seats on-side.
FMD surge capacity delayed
Hundreds of private veterinarians are still not locked into agreements to help out during a foot and mouth disease outbreak.
Pacific workers flee farms in record numbers
Cracks have emerged in a visa scheme designed to bring seasonal workers into Australia from Pacific countries as it struggles to cope with a surge in arrivals.
‘In limbo’: Egg producers facing nervous wait
Australian egg producers, already facing the prospect of a caged production phase-out they aren’t prepared for, are assessing a new threat to their industry.
Rural Victoria forgotten in election commitments
Just four of the 849 Labor, Greens and Coalition’s election commitments mention agriculture – and none mention council rates.
Explainer: How Labor’s industrial relations laws could affect farmers
Sweeping reforms to workplace laws could mean big changes for agriculture. We break down what farmers need to know.
Letter to Labor: ‘Save my dad’s job’
Heyfield Primary School student Indiana Lockett has written a heartfelt letter to Labor, to try and save her dad’s timber job.
Ag exporters pin hopes on Albo-Jinping outcome
Beef, barley, timber, wine and lobster exporters hope the PM’s meeting with the Chinese president will thaw trade relations.
State election must be a ‘referendum’ on roads
Everyone has an opinion on country roads. Federal Coalition MP pinpoints the moment when everything went wrong in maintaining them.
Backpackers returning, but not to Aussie farms
Home Affairs data shows working holiday visas are being issued at a rate not seen since before the pandemic.
Brokers call for irrigators to sell to federal government
Waterfind has called on irrigators to lodge the volume and price of water they are willing to sell to the federal government.
Gippsland jobs collapse
Gippsland is facing a crippling jobs crisis as timber harvesting grinds to a halt, dairy plants close and power stations prepare to switch off their generators.
Vic election: Morwell the centre of power
Dan Andrews’ commitment to bringing back the SEC shows how keen he is to win Morwell — a key seat this election cycle.
Red wine growers pin hopes on thawing of relations with China
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s meeting with a Chinese leader has given the struggling wine industry a beacon of hope.
Shepparton electorate: What are the main issues for farmers?
Shepparton fruit grower Mitchell McNab says labour is one of the burning issues for primary producers this election.
Winning the ballot lottery
Topping the ballot pops can make all the difference in a tight contest. See who landed where in the official draw of the ballots.
Crossbench kingmaker in comeback
He was a crossbench kingmaker on Spring Street for four years. Now James Purcell is on a political comeback tour.
Ag needs energy plans to connect
Despite a big-money commitment to farming by the Albanese government, industry leaders hold concerns over incentives for clean on-farm energy.
How much has been cut from regional infrastructure funding?
Figures released this week reveal a further breakdown of regional funding cuts from the October budget, despite promises of a windfall in the future.
Is a flood disaster declaration needed?
A natural disaster declaration isn’t needed for Victoria’s flooding, the emergency commissioner says. But the Coalition is calling for a rethink
Coalition’s $8m ag technology pledge
The Victorian Coalition has pledged $8 million to set up a new fund aiming to encourage “on-farm innovation” if elected later this month.
Shing shrugs off water buyout
The federal government may target NSW to buy water for the environment, but Victorian and NSW irrigators say everyone will suffer.
Young guns not taking up AgriStarter Loans
The federal government’s $75 million loan designed to help new farmers into the property market is yet to take off.
Vic Election: Urban-rural shifters will be felt at ballot box
A generational shift has taken place since 2018, altering the way regional seats like Benambra and Polwarth will lean later this month.
Ripon electorate: Path to power
Only fifteen votes divided Labor and the Coalition in Ripon back in 2018. And the path to power runs through farmland like Kain Richardson’s property.
Greens call for regional Vic debate
Greens leader Samantha Ratnam has called for a three-cornered debate with Dan Andrews and Matt Guy in regional Victoria.
David Littleproud on water buybacks
The threat of water buybacks will threaten Murray Darling Basin communities, the Nationals leader says. Listen now.
Australia’s food security under the microscope
A parliamentary inquiry will examine if flooding, a war in Europe and climate change puts Australian consumers at risk.
Coalition campaign for Mildura faces headwinds
The Liberal Party is standing behind its candidate for Mildura Paul Matheson following reports he was charged with a disciplinary breach while serving as a police officer.
Original URL: https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/politics/page/5