Rabies is under the spotlight and submissions being sought for draft risk review
A draft report into a policy review of the rabies virus risk in imported cats and dogs has today been released for stakeholder comment. Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity and Compliance, Dr Chris Locke said Australia was free from the rabies virus and to protect this status the draft policy review proposes some changes to existing […]
Marine experts welcome global resolution to save whales from plastic peril
The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) has welcomed news that a resolution calling for greater collaboration to save whales from plastic pollution was adopted by consensus at the 68th meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in Portoroz, Slovenia last night. Recognising the impact of ocean plastic pollution on whales and other cetaceans, the IWC […]
Farm debt mediation changes set to strengthen Victorian farmers rights
To strengthen farmers’ rights to farm debt mediation and streamline the process, important changes to the Farm Debt Mediation Act 2011 (the Act) will soon take effect. Under the Act, a farmer has the right to be offered mediation by their creditor before the creditor can start debt recovery on their farm mortgage. At mediation, […]
Food prices to climb under cost of living crisis according to The Nationals
The Nationals leader David Littleproud says not all of Australia’s high food prices are caused by natural disasters – they’re also man-made by Labor scrapping the Ag Visa, which has fuelled a cost of living crisis. Mr Littleproud said Labor was trying to use the recent floods as an excuse for rising food prices but their own policies […]
Scholarship offer for farmers to become more climate smart
Farmers for Climate Action is offering 20 Australian farmers a career-defining opportunity to learn from Australia’s best experts, with applications now open for a climate-smart farming scholarship valued at over $3000. Between November 2022 and March 2023, scholars will gain the knowledge needed to succeed in a changing climate, enabling them to become leaders in […]
CBA offers emergency assistance for flood affected areas in NSW VIC and TAS
Commonwealth Bank is providing its Emergency Assistance to customers and businesses in flood affected areas in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Retail Banking Services Group Executive, Angus Sullivan, said: “Unfortunately some regions across the country have already experienced flooding earlier this year, and it is incredibly distressing for these communities to go through this […]
ACCC set to restore trust and confidence in Murray-Darling Basin water markets
The ACCC says it welcomes the Australian Government’s plan to legislate new functions for the ACCC as the water market conduct regulator in the Murray-Darling Basin. This week, the Government released the Water market reform: final roadmap report and announced its intention to implement all of the recommendations. The ‘roadmap’ built on the findings and […]
Have your say on the National Soil Action Plan
Public consultation is now open on Australia’s first national action plan on soil. First Assistant Secretary of Portfolio Strategy and Climate Policy at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, Nick Blong, invited all stakeholders across the broad range of sectors supporting healthy soils to have their say and help shape the final action plan. […]
Financial stress is a key risk factor for anxiety among farmers
Curtin research into the mental health of farmers has found financial stress is a major contributing factor to their higher anxiety levels, and that one in five farmers are at risk of social isolation. The findings come directly from WA farmers who have participated in two online surveys as part of this research. The last […]
An anxious Reserve Bank feeling the vent of public anger only increases the rate by 0.25%
It appears public sentiment of not wanting to reach too deep into their pockets following two years of pandemics and the previous government cashing them up with a $1.1 trillion plus loan and deficit budgets get their message through to the Reserve Bank, to back off. And back off it did. Instead of the 0.50% […]