$2.5m adds to farmers’ artillery in weed, pest & disease fight
The National Farmers’ Federation has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of $2.5 million in grant investment towards ensuring farmers can access the safest and most effective chemical controls for pests, disease and weeds. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce this week announced 51 approved grants to Horticulture Innovation Australia, […]
NFF reminds regional households to switch to SkyMuster before 28 February deadline
The Regional, Rural and Remote Communications Coalition is urging the approximately 1200 households who have not yet switched from the Interim Satellite Service (ISS) to the Sky Muster National Broadband Network (nbn) satellite service to do so as soon as possible. “These households need to switch before 28 February or they will be left without […]
Failure to pass enterprise tax plan in full puts Australian farmers at risk
Valuable new Asian export markets are in jeopardy if the Parliament does not pass the Government’s enterprise Tax Plan in full. This was the message from National Farmers Federation chief executive Tony Mahar and Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott today. “With business tax rates falling around the world, Australia must reduce its uncompetitive 30 […]
NFF cautions Tony Burke against undermining the Basin Plan
The National Farmers’ Federation is warning shadow water spokesperson Tony Burke MP against his reported intentions to seek amendments to the Basin Plan in the Federal Parliament today. “If reports in the Adelaide Advertiser newspaper are accurate, Mr Burke intends to ask the Parliament to unilaterally, and without consultation, force changes to the Basin Plan,” […]
ESSAY: Cutting company tax rate will help release agricultural bounty: priorities for prosperity
By Tony Mahar and Jennifer Westacott Farmers across Australia are justifiably excited about the prices now available for premium Australian produce among the burgeoning Asian middle classes. However, it will take much more than enthusiasm and goodwill to ensure Australians get their fair share of the action. If we’re going to make the most of […]
New labelling laws help shoppers support Aussie farmers
The National Farmers’ Federation say changes to Australia’s Country-of-Origin labelling system will improve consumer confidence and ultimately be beneficial to Australian farmers. A Bill passed in the Federal Senate last night will see the terms ‘made-in’ and ‘packed-in’ more clearly defined. NFF Chief Executive Tony Mahar said by and large Australians consumers want to know […]
Government surrenders on defence land grab plans
More than two months of anguish is over for 65 Queensland farmers with the Federal Government today squashing plans to forcibly acquire their properties. Deputy Prime Minister Hon Barnaby Joyce MP ruled out the compulsory acquisition of farms in both the Charters Towers and Shoalwater Bay regions in a statement at Parliament House. The Department […]
Historic Chinese cattle deal provides new selling option for farmers
The National Farmers Federation President Fiona Simson says a landmark shipment of live slaughter cattle to China represents a valuable new chapter in Australia’s cattle trade and a new selling option for farmers. A consignment of 1200 – mostly Angus cattle – left Portland in Victoria on Saturday as part of a new ‘feeder and […]
NFF calls for Cabinet to kill off defence land grab
The National Farmers Federation is calling on the Federal Cabinet to stifle the defence department’s plan to forcibly acquire farmland in northern and central Queensland for defence training purposes. The call comes after Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce, could not go as far as ruling out forced acquisitions in a meeting with […]
NFF supports independent review of nation’s water
National Farmers’ Federation has welcomed yesterday’s announcement by the Treasurer Scott Morrison of the Terms of Reference for the Productivity Commission’s 2017 Inquiry into the reform of Australia’s water resources sector. The Inquiry is to assess the progress by the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments in achieving the objectives and outcomes of the National Water […]