Jobs and Skills Roadmap for Regional Australia – Phase 1 Report Review
Farmers are a cornerstone of regional economies, providing food security, export earnings, and sustaining rural communities. Yet, agriculture faces persistent and acute workforce pressures that must be addressed if the sector is to remain strong viable and productive. For the Jobs and Skills roadmap vision of enhancing the equity, effectiveness and efficiency of the jobs […]
Safe Work Australia Best Practice Review of the Model Work Health and Safety Laws
Agriculture is one of the nation’s highest-risk sectors, yet also one of themost diverse. It spans family farms, small enterprises, and complex supplychains operating across multiple jurisdictions. Achieving safer outcomes inthis environment requires regulation that is proportionate, evidence-based,and co-designed with industry The agricultural sector supports a nationally consistent WHS frameworkthat promotes clarity, efficiency, and fairness […]
Disability Discrimination Act 1992 Review
Agriculture plays a critical role in regional employment and community life.The sector is characterised by small businesses operating in diverse andsometimes remote environments, where physical, technical and regulatoryconstraints often shape employment practices. It is therefore essential thatany amendments to the DDA strike a balance between protecting the rightsof people with disability on the one hand […]
Consultation on Draft Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO) Legislation
The NFF strongly supports the establishment of the UOMO as a foundational reform to modernise Australia’s universal service framework. For Australian farmers, mobile connectivity is not a luxury, it is essential for safety, productivity, and access to services. This submission outlines several recommendations to ensure the UOMO delivers meaningful, reliable, and equitable mobile connectivity outcomes […]
Implementing Australia’s Strategy for Nature 2024-2030
NFF understands that there is an approximate shortfall of 5.31% under the target to protect and conserve 30% of Australia’s landmass. Progress towards this target cannot come at the expense of agricultural land, and we note that this was the position of the former Minister for the Environment and Water. It is also critical that […]
National Food Security Strategy: Discussion Paper
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF) National Food Security Strategy: Discussion Paper (Discussion Paper). The NFF has long called for greater policy focus on national food security. Along with our members, we have sought to progress analysis and strategic planning […]
Treasury Consultation Regarding Climate-Related Transition Planning Guidance
Encouraging reporting entities to use estimation tools “as a starting point” to identify and meet Scope 3 obligations implies a normative expectation that estimation is only a temporary measure that may be unacceptable over the long-term which is inconsistent with legislation. The use of estimation methods remains permissible regardless of future data availability. This language […]
Review of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme Deed and Guidelines
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed the review of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme Deed and Guidelines as a chance to reduce red tape and make the scheme work better for farmers and workers alike. The PALM scheme deed and guidelines were implemented in June 2023. This specific review will examine the impact of […]
Climate Change Authority Issues Paper: 2025 Annual Progress Report
Progress against Australia’s legislated 2030 target is on-track, with current projections from the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water (DCCEEW) indicating a 42.6-42.7% decrease below 2005 levels by 2030. While the national trajectory remains on-track, the underlying policy environment for agriculture remains fragmented. To support a just transition, the Commonwealth needs […]
Third Independent Review of the Water for the Environment Special Account
It remains unclear whether recent and proposed Commonwealth water purchases are being financed through WESA or via the undisclosed Federal Budget allocation. If the latter is correct, then remaining WESA funds should be redirected toward delivering complementary measures and structural adjustment support for communities consistent with its remit. This point is underscored by the Second […]