International response will help global agricultural prices
GLOBAL markets – including for agricultural products – showed a sense of optimism during March. This reflected the glimmer of hope provided by key positive developments on international policy. Most significant was the US administration announcement of a banking plan to help restore health to their ailing financial system and the constructive G20 meeting of […]
Questions must be answered on regional telecommunications
“IN THE wake of the scrapping of the Federal Government’s National Broadband Network tender process today the Prime Minister has opted for Plan B – and the stakes for regional communities are now higher,” National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President David Crombie said. “Today’s announcement of a Government-led company to deliver fibre to the premise leaves […]
NFF kills 100% cost hike for farmers under new Award
THE National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has recorded an historic victory in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC), successfully defending the retention of the flexible and straight forward hours-of-work provisions under threat from the Federal Government’s Award modernisation reforms. “The Pastoral Industry Award (PIA) has provided a ‘flexible hours-of-work’ clause reflecting the practical needs of the […]
National Congress to tackle the critical issues of our time
TODAY the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) released the full Program for its National Congress at the Brisbane Convention Centre, Queensland, over 22-23 June 2009. The Congress theme ‘Modern Farmers: growing opportunities today… meeting the challenges of tomorrow’ places Australia’s vital role as a food producer for an increasingly hungry world under the microscope and will […]
Senate Inquiry findings tantamount to environmental vandalism
FARMERS, scientists and environmental groups will be mystified by the findings of the Senate Inquiry into the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act), which misguidedly attempt to shift the EPBC Act away from sustainable ecological development to a destructive ‘lock up and leave’ focus. “This can only result in poor environmental outcomes through […]
Economic slowdown impacts on agricultural consumption
AS GLOBAL consumers become increasingly discerning about their purchasing behavior, the Westpac-NFF Commodity Index is showing signs that food and fibre consumption is not immune to the world economic downturn. The Index fell 4.0% during February, taking the Index to 17.6% below February 2008 levels. “It is fair to say that agricultural commodity markets, like […]
‘Restraint’ must be the word for 2009 Wage Review
THE National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is calling for a wage freeze as the Australian Fair Pay Commission (AFPC) holds its fourth Wage Review, with the peak farm body seeking to constrain wage growth for the foreseeable future to aid vulnerable businesses. “With the economic crisis hitting jobs across the country and unemployment predicted to surpass […]
Forward with Fairness stalls
THE National Farmers’ Federation’s (NFF’s) Policy Council – including the Presidents of all member organisations – met in Canberra today, with all agreeing the Australian Government’s Forward with Fairness draft legislation must be amended to guarantee workplace flexibility, simplicity and fairness. “The Fair Work Bill oversteps the bounds of what the Government’s reform agenda was […]
Stakes high for Australia-Korea FTA
THE stakes are high for Australian farmers and the national economy under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) being pursued with the Republic of Korea. With boundless opportunities in the Korean market, which already comprises 7% of Australia’s total agricultural exports worth almost $2 billion per year and is one of the fastest growing markets in […]
Farmers saving the economy again, but for how long?
“TODAY’S national account figures are a timely reminder of how fundamental our farm sector is to our economy, with agricultural production and growth – in seasonally adjusted terms up 10.9% this quarter on top of last quarter’s 13.4% – yet again, helping to stave off recession,” National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President David Crombie said. “Mining […]