Greens no-show slap in the face for Basin communities
The communities of the Murray Darling Basin have been let down (again) today, by the Greens, who failed to attend a Senate Estimates hearing on the Murray Darling Basin Plan. NFF Water Taskforce Chair Les Gordon said the Party’s no-show proved the Greens viewed the Plan as nothing more than a political plaything with no […]
NFF welcomes egg industry leadership on animal welfare
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed the Australian egg industry’s announcement that it will support mandatory animal welfare standards, as outlined in the release of the Draft Welfare Standards for Poultry. “The position shows that egg farmers are engaging positively with their most important stakeholders, the consumer, about their needs and expectations and have […]
Communications Coalition presses Canberra for action ahead of a 'definitive year' for telecomms & connectivity
The Regional, Rural and Remote Communications Coalition (RRRCC) has converged on Canberra this week to deliver one simple message – 2018 must be a year of action on bush telecommunications. The RRRCC is meeting with MPs, the Department of Communications and the Arts and attending a forum focussed on regional mobile coverage convened by the […]
Basin Plan's environmental benefits in grave danger as Senate faces critical vote
As of today 77% of the original water recovery target of the Murray Darling Basin Plan has been recovered. However, this significant achievement, and many others, lie precariously in the balance ahead of a crucial Senate vote in Federal Parliament today. Yesterday, Victoria and New South Wales confirmed both states would ‘walk away’ from the […]
New survey to gauge farm sector's workforce issues
Today the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is launching its new Farm Workforce Survey, asking farmers to report on their ability to meet their businesses’ labour requirements. NFF President Fiona Simson said the evidence indicated that farmers all too often faced difficulties recruiting workers – difficulties that could see them fail to meet critical deadlines and […]
Labor sets Basin Plan alight betraying farmers and regional Australia
Basin communities are now contemplating their fate with Labor effectively throwing a match on the Murray Darling Basin Plan. The party that was architect to the plan that was ratified in 2012, tonight sided with the Greens and upheld a disallowance motion to quash amendments proposed by the Northern Basin Review. NFF President Fiona Simson […]
Farming's peak body leads new Horticulture Council
The interests of Australia’s growing and diverse horticulture sector will now be directly represented through the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) with the peak body launching a new ‘Horticulture Council’. The Victorian Farmers Federation, NSW Farmers, Growcom, the Voice of Horticulture and six commodity groups will be represented on the NFF-led policy forum. Commodity groups to form part […]
Labor urged to protect its Basin legacy and walk away from Greens deal
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is urging Labor to protect its legacy as the Government that delivered the historic Murray Darling Basin Plan by reconsidering its position on plans to vote for a disallowance motion. NFF Chief Executive Officer Tony Mahar said Labor and then Water Minister Tony Burke made history when, under their leadership, […]
Farmers and Fiji Government confirm support for Seasonal Worker Program
A report released this week has confirmed the value of migrant workers to horticulture’s profitability and productivity. Carried out by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) and commissioned by the World Bank, the study found that seasonal migrant workers on the Federal Government’s Seasonal Worker Program and ‘backpackers’ on working […]
Senator Hanson-Young's 'Basin bashing' threatens regional communities and the environment
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has labelled an effort by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young to quash amendments to the Basin Plan irresponsible and ill-informed. Following the resumption of Federal Parliament this week, the Senate must vote on a motion brought by Senator Hanson-Young to disallow the adoption of amendments proposed by the Northern Basin Review process. […]