Remote Area Tax Concessions and Payments
In considering possible amendments to Remote Area Tax Concessions and Payments, the NFF would argue that the principle of equity, one of the three key design principles for the tax and transfer system, warrants the agricultural sector and rural communities receiving special consideration in the taxation system. This consideration is warranted in light of the […]
Submission to the Australian National Audit Office’s (ANAO) audit of the Farm Management Deposits Scheme (FMD).
The NFF considers the changes introduced to the FMD scheme that came into effect on 1 July 2016 to have materially improved the effectiveness of the scheme in meeting these objectives.
Biosecurity Imports Levy discussion paper
Concerns about funding of thesystem were detailed in the final report of the 2017 Craik review of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity. The Craik review recommended a biosecurity imports levy to partly address this shortfall, with funds raised to be invested in important activities such as environmental biosecurity, national monitoring and surveillance, research and innovation, […]
Submission on Ruralco Holdings Limited (Ruralco) proposed acquisition by Nutrien Ltd (Landmark)
Any situation in which a single firm dominates the market for a particular agricultural input is likely to give that firm excessive price-setting power. If farmers and agribusinesses have limited or reduced access to alternative sources of inputs, it increases the ability of the dominant firm(s) to raise prices in the knowledge that their customers […]
Submission to the Government of New Zealand Regarding the Expansion of the Protection of Geographical Indications under the EU-NZ Free Trade Agreement
This submission addresses four areas of concern regarding the proposal to extend New Zealand’s system for protecting GIs and on which our objections to the extension of GI protection are based. These are: 1) The close economic and trade ties that bind Australia and New Zealand that make any changes to New Zealand’s system for […]
Submission on the Discussion Paper: Developing a Commonwealth Strategy for Drought Preparedness and Resilience
We are concerned that the strategy is principally focused on Commonwealth drought policy rather than being a collaborative effort of all governments responsible for drought policy and programs. Without cross jurisdictional agreement, policies implemented at the Federal level can be impacted, if not undermined, by policies implemented at the state and territory level. NFF appreciates […]
Draft Pest Risk Analysis for Cut Flower and Foliage Imports – Part 1
The NFF reviewed the draft Pest Risk Analysis prepared by the department, and recorded significant concerns about the biosecurity risk posed by the current import arrangements for cut flowers and foliage. We are particularly concerned about the lack of information provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of new import conditions and to demonstrate how non-compliance is […]
RRRCC – Consumer Safeguards Review Part B – Reliability
The RRRCC support the extension of mandatory connection and repair timeframes to all fixed services provided by all retailers and the payment of compensation where timeframes are not met, including that proposed for missed appointments. Mandatory rules are the best way to ensure that consumers have access to continuous telecommunications connectivity.
Supplementary consultation on spray drift management – Stage 1
Australian farmers are very much aware of the importance of responsible chemical use, including the need to ensure that off-target pesticide spray drift does not cause harm to people, the environment or Australia’s international trade. The NFF is supportive of a flexible regulatory approach that minimises spray drift risk, is practical to implement, and supports […]
Middle East sheep exports policy options.
The NFF has consulted its member organisations on the proposed policy options and supports the view of Sheep Producers Australia (SPA) and the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) that the four policy options outlined in the discussion paper are reasonable starting points, but that each would require review as new information – such as animal […]