Farm leaders warn Government on workforce, costs and EU trade deal
The nation’s agricultural leaders have concluded the industry’s peak policy-making forum in Canberra with a clear warning to the Australian Government: workforce disruption, crushing input costs and a substandard European Union trade deal are putting mounting pressure on Australian farmers. National Farmers’ Federation President Hamish McIntyre said the message from Members’ Council was unmistakable. “Across […]
Keynote: A Reset for Regional Income
NFF CEO Mike Guerin’s address to the Agri and Aqua Tourism Summit 2026, Murwillumbah, 20 October 2026 Good morning everyone. And thank you for the opportunity to open this Agri & Aqua Tourism Summit. It is wonderful to be here in the Tweed – a region which, in many ways, captures the opportunity we are […]
Parliament must back sensible trust tax exemption for family farms
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is urging all parties and the crossbench to support the Federal Government’s decision to exempt primary production income from the proposed minimum tax on discretionary trusts. NFF President Hamish McIntyre said the exemption, announced as part of the Government’s broader tax reform package in the May Federal Budget, was a […]
$100 billion reasons to celebrate – and ask what comes next
Australian agriculture’s leaders gathered at Parliament House in Canberra tonight to celebrate the sector reaching $100 billion in farmgate output four years ahead of schedule and to begin the conversation about the next national north star for Australian agriculture. Hosted by the National Farmers’ Federation in Parliament’s Great Hall, the $100 billion celebration brought together […]
Minimum tax on discretionary trusts
The NFF welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on Treasury’s consultation regarding the proposed introduction of a 30 per cent minimum tax on discretionary trusts from 1 July 2028. The NFF recognises the Government’s objective of improving the fairness and integrity of Australia’s tax system. We strongly welcome the Government’s recognition that discretionary trusts play […]
Food fraud highlights the unfair fight for retail shelf space
The NFF Horticulture Council says revelations expected in tonight’s Four Corners investigation into food fraud should prompt a broader conversation about whether imported food products are being held to the same standards as Australian-grown produce. Four Corners’ two-part investigation, Duped: Food Exposed, is expected to examine food authenticity, misleading origin claims, undeclared ingredients and the […]
Farm sale prompts market distortion concerns
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has questioned the approval process behind the sale of Tasmania’s biggest farm to a UK investor. NFF CEO Mike Guerin said the approval of the 22,000 hectare Rushy Lagoon sale has left stakeholders questioning the logic behind the decision. “We’re concerned that there were buyers that were potentially disadvantaged in the process […]
National Biosecurity Reforms
The NFF strongly supports the National Biosecurity Strategy (NBS) as a framework to align priorities and actions to strengthen Australia’s biosecurity system. The proposed reform agenda presents a range of initiatives that, if delivered fully and effectively, may result in meaningful improvements to Australia’s biosecurity system. However, additional reforms should also be considered. The NFF’s […]
Declaring second generation anticoagulant rodenticides as restricted chemical products
The NFF does not support the APVMA proposal to declare second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) as Restricted Chemical Products (RCPs) unless continuing access to SGARs for primary producers is guaranteed. SGARs (products containing brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, difethialone and flocoumafen) play a valuable role in effective rodent control across a wide range of agricultural industries and […]
Farmers are not the Greens’ bargaining chip
Opinion editorial by Hamish McIntyre, NFF President On 1 July, the new National Environmental Protection Agency and Environment Information Australia formally commence. This is on top of laws already in force since 1 December, after Environment Minister Murray Watt struck a deal with the Greens to push EPBC Act changes through Parliament. A separate deal […]