NFF supports a comprehensive plan to fix the energy market but expresses caution over targets
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) remains supportive of measures that will fix Australia’s broken energy market. “The system is compromised and it needs bipartisan commitment and cooperation for farming and the broader economy to get on with doing business,” NFF CEO Tony Mahar said. “Farmers need policy that addresses reliability, sustainability and affordability and allows […]
Harvest Trail Report welcomed, industry continues to call for change
The National Farmers’ Federation has commended the Fair Work Ombudsman on the completion of it’s Harvest Trail Inquiry. NFF CEO Tony Mahar said the findings of the five-year inquiry made for salient and often difficult reading but unfortunately, did not come as a surprise. “The NFF has never shied away from what are frankly, too many instances of worker mistreatment […]
Gen Y turns a blind eye to food and fibre production
Shocking new statistics have revealed that young Australians aged 18-29 are the most likely to say they don’t care at all how their food and fibre is grown. The 2018 National Agriculture Day Poll conducted by TEG Insights has found that almost a quarter (23%) of people in this age range say they don’t care […]
Bush communications coalition welcomes report into rural and regional NBN
The Regional, Rural and Remote Communications Coalition (RRRCC) welcomes the recommendations of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Broadband Network’s inquiry into the rollout of the NBN in rural and regional areas. In December 2017, the bipartisan committee announced that it would conduct a review of the NBN, focusing on the capacity and reliability […]
Government calls time on India's sugar subsidies
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed Government intervention to formally protest India’s unfair domestic subsidies and their impact on Australia’s sugarcane growers. “We applaud a decision by the Trade Minister Simon Birmingham and his cabinet colleagues, to issue a Counter-Notification Notice with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and call-out India’s huge domestic subsidies programme,” […]
Statement by NFF CEO Tony Mahar on new small business funding measures
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) welcomes today’s announcement of two new measures aimed at improving access to finance for Australian small businesses. If executed well, the Australian Business Securitisation Fund and the proposed Australian Business Growth Fund (announced by the Treasurer and Minister Cash today) could play a positive role in supporting the growth of […]
Bush communications coalition welcomes Sky Muster game change
The Regional, Rural and Remote Communications Coalition (RRRCC) has welcomed the launch of the new Sky Muster Plus service, that will see essential internet uses, such as browsing, email and software updates, exempt from monthly data allowances. “This enhancement represents a game-changer for internet connectivity in the bush and is a direct result of the […]
PM's action on farming's worker woes welcomed
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has commended changes to existing visa programmes to more effectively meet the farm sector’s chronic labour shortage. “Prime Minister Morrison has listened and is following through on his commitment to address agriculture’s workforce crisis,” NFF President Fiona Simson said. “The NFF and our members, in particular the NFF Horticulture Council, […]
Improving drought resilience through natural resource management
Farmers across eastern Australia are facing the prospect of a dry summer on the back of a long period of below average rainfall. Short term assistance packages help farmers through the worst of these periods. However, a recent research report by the University of Canberra has highlighted the importance of natural resource management (NRM) in […]
NFF welcomes Wind Farm Commissioner reappointment
The National Farmers’ Federation welcomes Andrew Dyer as the new National Wind Farm Commissioner after an announcement was made by the Minister for Energy, the Hon. Angus Taylor. NFF President Fiona Simson said the introduction of an independent Wind Farm Commissioner plays a key role in facilitating a range of community concerns surrounding the integration […]