Farmers win reprieve from damaging Trust Law changes
“IN the wake of the Bamford High Court decision in March 2010, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) raised serious concerns about farmers being caught up in unintended red tape and denied access to normal trust provisions,” NFF CEO Ben Fargher explained today. “Overnight, the government announced that new legislation will be introduced next year to […]
“Riddled with holes”, NFF declares the Basin Guide “dead” – but charts a new way forward
A DETAILED 90-page post-mortem on the Guide to the Basin Plan, released by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) today, exposes multiple flaws in the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s assumptions, methodologies and draft proposals. “Not only have we identified fatal defects in the Guide, but we have launched a new blueprint for salvaging the reform agenda,” NFF […]
Lifting the lid on bank interest rates for farmers
“CONSUMERS – including farmers and other small business operators – need to be able to compare ‘apples with apples’ when it comes to banking products, loan rates and portability options when considering switching banks,” National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) Jock Laurie said today. “In the New Year we will launch a new publication, the NFF Agribusiness […]
Emerson applauded for cutting the bulldust & horse trading
THE National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has thrown its weight behind a fresh push by Federal Trade Minister Dr Craig Emerson to “dispense with the bargaining-chip-approach” to trade deals, as outlined in his trade policy speech at the Lowy Institute in Sydney today. “Farmers are impressed by the vigor Dr Emerson has brought to the Trade […]
Floods don’t mean water debate is ‘off the boil’
“WITHOUT farmers the Murray-Darling Basin Plan is a pipedream,” came the blunt warning from National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President Jock Laurie today. “It isn’t well understood but irrigated agriculture accounts for just 35% of water-use in the Basin – with 57% already going to the environment and around 8% for town water and other uses. […]
Agriculture spurs economic growth
AUSTRALIA’S modest national seasonally adjusted growth of 0.2% over the September quarter is a reminder of the farm sector’s fundamental importance to our economy, with agricultural growth soaring 21.5% over the quarter. “If not for the farm economy, Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan would be playing down the Australian economy’s lapse into negative territory today,” National […]
Science, infrastructure & productivity top NFF’s MDB agenda
IN A high level ministerial meeting headed by Prime Minister Julia Gillard overnight, National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President Jock Laurie pressed the government on its pledge to “support landholders” in the Murray- Darling Basin, recommit to on-farm “infrastructure investment” and ensure “regional communities have confidence in the science that will underpin the eventual Plan”. “That’s […]
Putting foreign investment under the microscope
A FEDERAL Government-led investigation to shed light on the extent and impact of foreign investment in Australian agriculture and its supply chain has been welcomed by National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President Jock Laurie as “long overdue”. “We need to recognise that the growth and expansion of Australian enterprises – including agriculture, which accounts for 12% […]
Jock Laurie elected new NFF President
TODAY Australia’s peak farm body, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), elected Alexander ‘Jock’ Laurie (pictured) as its 10th President, with outgoing President David Crombie stepping down after completing his full four-year term. Mr Laurie, 51, returns to farm representation after a year off, following his four years as President of the NSW Farmers’ Association (NSWFA), […]
Indonesian talks could herald new era of trade growth
A NEW Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with our nearest economic powerhouse, Indonesia, announced by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, offers real opportunities to free up trade between both countries, according to the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF). “Australian farmers already enjoy a strong bilateral agricultural relationship with Indonesia, but the growth potential in this burgeoning market could […]