ICA warns the home guarantee scheme expansion will increase property prices by up to 10% in the first year
According to new analysis released by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) today, The Federal Government’s plan to dramatically expand the Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS) will increase house prices, make it harder for lower income earners to enter the housing market, and have a negligible impact on home ownership rates, Analysis of the Government’s policy by independent economic consultancy Lateral Economics has estimated that the […]
Scammer fight back skills explained during Scams Awareness Week
An initiative led by Google in partnership with COTA Australia, and with support from experts at the Australian Government’s National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), is arming Australians with new tips and tools to protect themselves from scams and improve their digital literacy. Close to 1000 people have already participated in a one day session to learn […]
Rabobank reduces variable base rate for rural loans by 0.25 per cent
Rabobank Australia will lower the variable base rate on its rural loans by 0.25% per annum, effective 22 August 2025. This follows the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to cut the official cash rate (OCR) by 0.25%, announced yesterday. Rabobank group executive for Country Banking Australia Marcel van Doremaele said the bank was pleased to […]
Not even Genghis Khan could withhold a rate reduction as reserve bank drops base rate to 3.6%
Following the disappointment of 97% of financial commentators at the previous RBA meeting in July when they assured a rate cut was imminent, The Reserve Bank has relented at its August board meeting today and delivered the third interest rate cut of 2025, with a 0.25 percentage point reduction in the base rate. The base […]
Chicken breeders industry looks to the future with a highly experienced CEO posting
The Australian Chicken Growers’ Council (ACGC) has announced the appointment of Mr David Inall as its Chief Executive Officer, bringing more than three decades of leadership experience across the agricultural and grocery sectors, positioning the ACGC to navigate upcoming industry challenges and opportunities. Owen Shaw, Chairman of ACGC, said the timing of David’s arrival is […]
Financial hardship support from telcos missing the mark for rural customers
A report released today by the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) finds telcos are failing to consistently support customers in financial hardship and, in some cases, are unintentionally causing or making financial stress worse. Read the embargoed report here The report, ‘Keeping connected: Experiences of telco consumers in financial hardship,’ is informed by a review of […]
Quad bike deaths are dropping but experts say more action is required
The most recent report into Quad bike accidents shows there has been a small reduction in quad bike deaths at work in Australia since new safety standards were introduced five years ago, but public health experts say more needs to be done to keep farmers safe. To clarify, the report was on Quads, four-wheelers with […]
Macdoch Foundation has opened applications to apply to attend theREGENERATE Conference in Santa Fe USA at their expense
Early-career farmers and land stewards aged 18 to 40 are invited to apply for the much sought-after Australian [Re]Generation Fellowship program running from 1 to 10 November 2025. Application are open until Sunday 29 August 2025. The program grants one successful applicant a [Re]Generation Fellowship scholarship to attend the renowned REGENERATE Conference in Santa Fe USA as […]
Study reveals long-term impact of drought on tropical trees is not as bad as climate change
An international study has found tropical trees have remained minimally affected by droughts, but an increase in climate change events is likely to have long-term effects on stem growth resilience. Emeritus Professor Patrick Finnegan, from The University of Western Australia’s School of Biological Sciences, was a co-author of the study led by Wageningen University & […]
Beef biosecurity claim at odds with US Administration according to The Nationals
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said the Trump Administration’s comments, following Labor’s decision to allow US beef born and raised in Canada or Mexico to be imported into Australia, seem to have validated his concern that a deal was done before the biosecurity protocols were finalised. See background story here. Mr Littleproud said comments […]