Statement on delay of IR Bill
Comments attributable to NFF Chief Executive, Tony Mahar We thank the Coalition and members of the Senate crossbench who today pumped the brakes on the Government’s ill-conceived industrial relations bill. The Senate and the Australian public deserve the opportunity to review and debate what is little more than a union wish list that will do […]
Water Bill a recipe for hurt, division and higher food prices
Farmers are warning that a bill introduced today by Water Minister Tanya Plibersek would obliterate consensus on the Basin Plan and give the Government unchecked power to shut down irrigation farms in Australia’s food bowl. NFF Chief Executive Tony Mahar said the proposal would blow up the Basin Plan and destroy trust and livelihoods in Basin […]
Burke’s IR reforms a ticket to productivity paralysis
The National Farmers’ Federation is calling for a rethink of the latest industrial relations reforms to shift the focus from pleasing the unions to lifting productivity. NFF Vice President David Jochinke said the package announced today was a recipe for cost and confusion that would only benefit power hungry unions. “This isn’t about serving the […]
Farmers’ voice to be heard with launch of national survey
Farmers across Australia are urged to have their say on the issues that matter to them and the agricultural sector via the National Farmer Priorities Survey, launched today. Spearheaded by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) in partnership with communications and advisory firm Seftons, the survey will be a pulse-check on the opportunities and challenges facing […]
Devastating scale of water buybacks revealed while critical questions go unanswered
The Federal Government has inadvertently revealed that damaging water buybacks will make up at least a third of water recovery under its revised Murray Darling Basin Plan, at a starting price exceeding $3 billion. The startling revelation that government buyback spending could double under this proposal comes as serious questions emerge about how the Government […]
Competition review welcome but must deliver outcomes
Farmers across Australia have welcomed today’s announcement of a Competition Taskforce to review Australia’s competition policy settings. Farmers have long identified concentrated markets and supply chains as a handbrake to the economy with small businesses and consumers feeling the impact. “Australia has a competition problem – there’s not enough of it,” said NFF President Fiona […]
Domestic markets must deliver better outcomes for both consumers and growers
The National Farmers’ Federation Horticulture Council has today joined with the NFF and other agriculture industry bodies in welcoming the announcement by Treasurer Jim Chalmers of a competition policy review. The review will look at competition laws, policies and institutions to ensure they remain fit for purpose, with a focus on reforms that would increase productivity, […]
Government hits self-destruct button on Basin unity
Farmers have responded with dismay at the Government’s decision to reach prematurely for water buybacks, before alternative options have been considered. National Farmers’ Federation President, Fiona Simson, said today’s announcement to deliver the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in full with buybacks squarely on the agenda would be met with disbelief given the Government’s recent consultation. “Just a few […]
LEAN agenda would drag Labor to the fringe – costing jobs and fuelling inflation
Australia’s peak farm body has called on delegates at the ALP National Conference this week to vote down a radical anti-farming motion backed by the Labor Environment Action Network (LEAN). Farmers say the “Climate, Clearing and Cows” motion, which calls for methane emissions to be halved in the next 6.5 years, is misinformed and in conflict […]
Stellar speaker line up announced for agriculture’s premier event… Be quick! Early bird tickets run out soon
The National Farmers’ Federation National Conference program is locked in, bringing together some of Australia and the world’s most eminent thought leaders in Canberra on October 26-27. This year’s theme ‘Australia to the World’ will look at Australia’s role in feeding the world, its trading relationships, and global leadership in sustainability and innovation. NFF CEO […]