Response to review of Closing Loopholes Acts
The Minister for Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth has commissioned a review into the Closing the Loopholes Legislation. The review is being conducted by a former member of the Fair Work Commission Susan Booth and is due to report by June 15. The NFF’s full submission can be found here.
Draft AS 7531 rolling stock lighting and visibility consultation
The NFF has long supported measures to improve train visibility and to enhance level-crossing safety across rural and regional Australia. The NFF supports positive steps taken in the draft Standard to improve train conspicuity, but makes several recommendations to strengthen AS 7531 and ensure it delivers practical visibility improvements. The NFF’s full submission can be […]
Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026
The NFF believes that firearms play a legitimate and essential role in Australian agriculture. We support sensible reforms that strengthen community safety, but those reforms must be developed carefully and with proper consultation to ensure they do not undermine farm safety, animal welfare, and environmental management. Reform processes should prioritise addressing illegal firearm use by […]
Statement on firearms laws passing parliament
Comments attributable to National Farmers’ Federation President, Hamish McIntyre The Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026 passed Parliament last night as expected, without amendment. We support sensible reforms that keep communities safe. Some parts of this Bill do exactly that, including stronger background checks and measures to crack down on […]
No sugar hit: farmers want long-term investment in budget
The National Farmers’ Federation says its 2026–27 Pre-Budget Submission is not a bid for short-term sugar hits, but a practical blueprint for long-term investments Australia needs. With the Treasurer signalling “hard decisions” and no room for cash splashes, the NFF says farmers aren’t asking for propping up. They’re asking for smart policy and strategic investment […]
NFF appears at parliamentary inquiry on firearms amendments
The below is the opening statement by National Farmers’ Federation Farming Systems Committee Chair, Chris Groves, who appeared before at the public hearing for the Inquiry by the Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security. The Committee is reviewing an Exposure Draft of the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026. The proposed legislation includes contains […]
Sustainability the key to ag workforce puzzle
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has called for a renewed focus on a sustainable agricultural workforce, urging policymakers to ensure the needs of regional communities are properly addressed. In a submission to the Value of Skilled Migration to Australia Inquiry, which closes today, the NFF said while skilled migrants played an important supporting role in […]
Inquiry into the Value of Skilled Migration to Australia
Skilled migrants can play a supporting role in agribusiness, particularly in specialised areas such as agronomy, farm management, machinery maintenance and agricultural-technology implementation. However, given that a large portion of farm work is seasonal, unskilled or semi-skilled, a sustainable workforce is our primary concern rather than where it is sourced from. From a cultural or […]
Proposed Changes to Round 3 of the On Farm Connectivity Program (OFCP)
The NFF strongly supports the OFCP as a key mechanism to address the significant and often prohibitive cost of connectivity for Australian farmers and, in turn, a key mechanism to boost the sustainability and productivity of the agriculture sector. The NFF provided detailed feedback on proposed changes to Round 3 of the Program. The NFF’s […]
Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 and Six Related Bills
NFF supports reforms that deliver environmental protections, faster and efficient approval processes, and more transparency and integrity around environmental decision-making. We do not support the passage of legislation as currently drafted. Several amendments are required to ensure that reforms deliver better outcomes for business and achieve overarching EPBC Act objectives to protect the environment and […]