United States certifies irradiation for horticulture trade pathways

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has certified Australia’s Steritech Merrifield irradiation facility for the export of horticulture produce with approved irradiation trade pathways to the United States. Acting Head of Trade at the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Nicola Hinder said US approval of the Merrifield facility in Victoria was an […]

RBA Governor shows true grit to raise rates by a further 0.25% to hit 4.35%

With the distraction of the general public, taking time out to watch the running of the 163rd Melbourne Cup the Reserve Bank of Australia Board (RBA) has taken a swipe at lingering inflation by raising the base cash rate by 0.25% to a 12-year high of 4.35%. The biggest takeaway from the rate rise is […]

RIC Act offering $4.075 billion loans to farm and farm-related small businesses under review

Farmers and agribusinesses will have the chance to provide feedback on the products and service delivery of the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) and the effectiveness of concessional loans through an upcoming independent statutory review. Assistant Secretary Andrew O’Sullivan said the review of the Regional Investment Corporation Act 2018 (RIC Act) would be a chance to […]

Getting the Murray–Darling Basin Plan back on track according to the Productivity Commission

Improved accountability would boost progress on the Murray–Darling Basin Plan, according to the Productivity Commission. The interim report of the 2023 Murray–Darling Basin Plan implementation review finds the Australian Government’s recently proposed extension of the Basin Plan timeframes is necessary but won’t be enough. “In the five years since the last Commission review, very little progress has […]

Victoria is now the best performing economy in the CommSec State of the States report

It will surprise many Victorians to learn they live in the best performing economy, but that’s the word according to figures released in the theCommSec State of the States report where for the first time in over a year, Victoria is the country’s number one. Strong economic activity, solid retail spending and business investment catapulted […]

Inflation rate gives the RBA a slam dunk to increase rates on Melbourne Cup Day 2023

According to Moody’s Analytics report on Australia Consumer Price Index the uptick in quarterly price growth will put pressure on the Reserve Bank Australia (RBA) to hike rates further when they meet next on 7 November, Melbourne Cup Day. Aussie inflation isn’t playing ball, the Moody’s Analytics report outlines. Across the September quarter, underlying inflation rose […]

Grants of $50,000 are up for grabs to help build resilient regional communities

Applications are now open for grants from $20,000 or up to $50,000 for events and initiatives to strengthen communities and capability for drought preparedness. But get in now as the first round is already open and closes on 14 November, while the second round will open for applications in February 2024 and will close in […]

Fire ants in the spotlight with Federal Senate inquiry viewing funding failures

The Invasive Species Council welcomes a Senate inquiry into fire ants. The inquiry will assess the cost of a fire ant invasion of Australia and the impact of delays to federal and state funding on the eradication program in south-east Queensland. “Fire ants are a super pest which will devastate Australia’s environment and agriculture if they […]