Farmers fear impacts of Federal ‘ute tax’
Australia’s peak farm body has today called for amendments to proposed vehicle emissions standards – warning the Government’s preferred policy could lump farmers with impacts such as price increases. NFF President David Jochinke said farmers could be penalised for not having low emissions vehicle options available. “We’re working hard as a sector to lower our […]
NFF calls on Canberra to turn around agriculture’s productivity slump
Today’s ABARES Snapshot of Australian Agriculture shows how the farm sector has positioned itself as a powerhouse in the nation’s economy, but alarm bells are ringing over the already slowing productivity rate which is only predicted to worsen. The report shows the gross value of agricultural production has increased by about 51% in the past […]
Supermarket inquiry announces dates to hear horror stories
The Senate Select Committee on Supermarket Prices has announced an initial set of dates to hear stories about bad behaviour by supermarkets. The first round of hearings will be in Hobart this Thursday 7 March, then Orange on 12 March and Melbourne at Tullamarine on 13 March. Further dates may be announced at the discretion of […]
Insights needed to develop Indigenous agriculture products
A new initiative to elevate Indigenous agricultural products and practices is calling for contributions to help shape the framework. The Indigenous Agricultural Product Framework project is being delivered in partnership between the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) and the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF). NFF President David […]
NFF urges ministers to act now to overhaul energy project engagement
The NFF urges Australia’s energy ministers to address the fierce discontent in farming communities over energy companies’ community engagement failures. Ahead of tomorrow’s Energy and Climate Ministerial Council meeting, NFF President David Jochinke said the lack of community engagement was not a new problem and it had been almost a month since the Energy Infrastructure […]
Government snubs expert advice on Biosecurity Levy
Farmers across Australia have been left bamboozled this morning by the Government’s attempt to legislate a new tax on farmers, despite a tidal wave of expert criticism. The Albanese Government this morning tabled new laws to establish the ‘Biosecurity Protection Levy’ – intended to raise $50 million from farmers to bankroll activities that assist importers, […]
Controversial Biosecurity Levy attracts fresh criticism
Another independent body has today raised concerns the Government’s proposed Biosecurity Protection Levy “does not pass critical scrutiny”, validating the claims of Australia’s 85,000 farming families. Independent academics from the Australian National University’s Tax and Transfer Policy Institute (TTPI) have backed widespread condemnation of the Government’s proposed policy which is due to come into […]
NFF leadership in WA to highlight concerns of local producers
Leaders of Australia’s peak farm body are in Western Australia this week, hearing concerns from local farmers about the impact of Federal Government policies. President of the National Farmers’ Federation David Jochinke said policies currently being rolled out from Canberra were putting farm productivity at risk. “Whether it’s the disastrous live sheep ban, the biosecurity […]
Producers remain opposed to Biosecurity Levy
The National Farmers’ Federation acknowledges comments made by Agriculture Minister the Hon. Murray Watt in his opening address to Senate estimates on the Biosecurity Protection Levy, however in the absence of further detail, producers continue to remain opposed to this policy. NFF President David Jochinke said: “The agricultural sector, along with supply chain participants, […]
Farmers can be part of the solution for housing crisis
At today’s National Regional Housing Summit, the National Farmers’ Federation is calling on policymakers to shine a light on how farmers can be part of the solution to Australia’s deepening housing crisis. The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) today released regional figures showing the median house price has jumped 54.2% and the rental vacancy rate has […]