Coroner finds OPD would have saved farmer's life & backs ACCC recommendations
The Victorian Coroner has found an operator protection device (OPD) would have saved the life of a 69-year-old farmer who suffered fatal head and chest injuries in a quad bike rollover incident in 2017. In the findings released today, the Coroner supports the ACCC’s ‘comprehensive report’ and recommendations to Government to mandate OPDs and other […]
Leading bush voices demand Government leadership on quad bike safety
Already this year, seven Australians, including children, have lost their lives in quad bike accidents. Despite the horrifying statistic, the Government is stalling on implementing the mandatory fitting of operator protection devices (OPDs) to all new quad bikes within two years. Following an extensive inquiry, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission made the recommendation to […]
Farmers congratulate Morrison Government for prioritising protection of farmers
As the second sitting week of the new parliament gets underway in Canberra, the Morrison Government is delivering on its commitment to prioritise the passage of legislation to criminalise the behaviour of those who incite farm trespass. The Criminal Code Amendment (Agricultural Protection) Bill, which creates tough new penalties for those who incite trespass, property […]
Death toll mounts as Government stalls on quad bike changes
Today, regional and rural Australia’s most respected voices have asked the Government just how many lives need to be lost before action will be taken to improve quad bike safety. Already this year seven people, including children, have been killed as the result of quad bike accidents. In February, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission […]
Election 2019: NFF clears up Ag Visa ‘myths’ & says bipartisan stalemate is hurting farmers
Both the Coalition and Labor have acknowledged agriculture’s workforce crisis but have so far failed to commit to a key part of the solution, the introduction of an Agriculture Visa. President Fiona Simson said the NFF had engaged with the Government, Opposition, minor parties and independents consistently for more than two years now on the […]
Election 2019: Survey asks farmers to report workforce needs
In the lead up to the 2019 Federal Election, today the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is launching its 2019 Farm Workforce Survey. The very short survey will better inform the NFF about farmers’ workforce and labour needs. NFF President, Fiona Simson said the evidence to date showed that farmers faced difficulties finding workers, difficulties that […]
Election 2019: NFF supports commitments for farm safety, workforce planning, young farmers & water
The National Farmers Federation has welcomed wide-ranging commitments by the Coalition to agriculture today. “Most importantly, we herald the pledge to direct $3.5 million to the longevity and growth of organisations like Farmsafe Australia,” NFF CEO Mr Mahar said. “The commitment is a tick for a key priority identified by the NFF in our election […]
Commission’s 14-day wage change leaves sour taste with farmers
The Fair Work Commission has blind-sided farmers, giving them only two weeks to introduce new overtime provisions for casual horticulture workers. In a 2017, the Fair Work Commission decided that casual employees working in the horticulture sector must receive overtime. The National Farmers’ Federation and other industry bodies worked with the Australian Workers Union and […]
Draft Proposal: National harmonisation of minimum training and licensing requirements for occupational (fee for service) users of agvet chemicals
The NFF supports harmonisation in meeting these objectives and stresses the need to improve efficiency of current structures, rather than create unnecessary and duplicative processes. The NFF welcomes the current Government’s commitment to the harmonisation of agvet training across Australia and is supportive of reforms that would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the current […]
Visa Simplification: Transforming Australia’s visa system
The NFF has made a submission to the Government’s visa simplification review encouraging government to introduce a dedicated agriculture visa.