Statement on outcomes from COP28
Comments attributable to NFF President David Jochinke I had the privilege this past week of representing Australian farmers at the COP28 summit in Dubai for the first time as NFF President. My time there highlighted to me how critical it is that farmers are represented in these global discussions where decisions being made about our […]
PC report confirms industry position that biosecurity levy is bad policy
A report by the Productivity Commission has backed the National Farmers’ Federation’s view that the proposed Biosecurity Protection Levy is a deeply flawed policy littered with a suite of issues. The ‘Towards Levyathan? Industry levies in Australia’ research paper by the Federal Government’s Productivity Commission has used the proposed levy as a case study, raising […]
Interim report recommends mandatory code to combat alarming challenges in poultry sector
Comments attributable to Tony Mahar, NFF chief executive The National Farmers’ Federation has today released its interim report towards creating greater market transparency and competition in the poultry meat sector, following concerns raised by growers and the competition watchdog. In 2020 the ACCC’s Perishable Agricultural Goods Inquiry highlighted significant concerns about practices in the Australian […]
Farmers find wins in Migration Strategy but falls short on detail
The National Farmers’ Federation says the Migration Strategy released today has some wins for farmers, but overall won’t solve the industry’s workforce woes. NFF President David Jochinke said the strategy lacked the detail needed and farmers still didn’t have the dedicated agricultural visa they desperately need. “There are some wins in the strategy, […]
Inaugural statement from the Agriculture Climate Alliance
Farmers across the globe have united on climate with the newly formed Agriculture Climate Alliance. The Alliance has released its first statement from COP28 in Dubai today. “Farmers around the world are at the front line of climate change. We must be proactive and ambitious in our actions to mitigate GHG emissions from agriculture and […]
NFF visits UAE sheep facility to understand fallout if government persists with trade ban
The National Farmers’ Federation has gained a firsthand perspective of what banning the live sheep export trade will have on the people in the Middle East. While in Dubai for COP28, NFF President David Jochinke and Chief Executive Tony Mahar toured the Trans Emirates Livestock Trading’s facility. “What we’ve seen is well-organised, clean facility with […]
Farmers raise competition concerns at industry roundtable
Farmer representatives from across Australia convened in Canberra yesterday for a roundtable hosted by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) with Assistant Minister for Competition Andrew Leigh. The meeting came as the Federal Government continues its review of competition policy, and as supermarket pricing comes under increased scrutiny with a Senate inquiry set to commence in […]
Industrial relations Bill delivers a lump of coal to farmers
The Senate has handed farmers a lump of coal for Christmas by splitting the Closing Loopholes Bill and rushing through a deal that will impact farm businesses using labour hire. The Albanese Government made a deal with some Crossbenchers to introduce changes that hit the floor of Parliament at the last minute and allowed union-driven […]
Statement on fine by Victorian Labour Hire Licencing Authority
Comments attributable to NFF President, David Jochinke We note the record fine handed down this week by the Victorian Labour Hire Licencing Authority. The NFF has been a long-term supporter of strict labour hire licencing. The farm sector has no room for dodgy operators who don’t play by the rules, and effective labour hire licencing […]
Statement on passage of Nature Repair Bill
Comments attributable to NFF CEO, Tony Mahar We welcome the passage of the Nature Repair Bill through the Senate last night. The NFF has been a longstanding advocate for the establishment of natural capital markets which can reward farmers for the work they do as stewards of more than half of Australia’s landmass. The Nature […]