http://fw.farmonline.com.au/news/state/agribusiness-and-general/finance/caution-urged-on-foreign-investment/2505382.aspx?storypage=1
By TOM CLAPIN
02 Apr, 2012 01:00 AM
WITH foreign investment in agriculture already occurring in Australia, many with in the agricultural industry beli... ...more
By PETER MARTIN
THE Coalition will propose a much tougher line against foreign takeovers of Australian farms in a discussion paper to be unveiled within weeks.
Detailing the approach for the first time yesterday, the Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, said the present threshold below which takeovers ... ...more
The Federal Government has received a backlash from northern cattle industry stakeholders and political opposition over its decision to hand over $20 million to Indonesia to help local farmers increase their beef output.
On Thursday, trade minister Craig Emerson, speaking after a meeting with his I... ...more
By LANAI VASEK and CHRISTIAN KERR
26 March 2012
TONY Abbott has hardened the Coalition's stance on foreign investment amid infighting between Liberal and Nationals MPs over the issue.
The Opposition Leader told Sky News's Australian Agenda that, while it was "very important" for Australia to rem... ...more
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/end-of-the-family-farm/story-fn59niix-1226308620356
By SUE NEALES
24 March 2012
COLEAMBALLY grain farmer John Ward has taken a stand.
He decided early this year not to sell a family cropping and sheep farm in Griffith, NSW, to the Chinese or to a... ...more
Australia’s farming community would view with disbelief the decision by the Gillard government to hand over $20 million to Indonesian beef producers to increase their output.
The Nationals Senators for New South Wales, Fiona Nash and John Williams, say it is ironic that Indonesian farmers get more ... ...more
The Labor government must explain why it supported one senate motion on the Year of the Farmer yet opposed another, Nationals Senator Fiona Nash said.
A Greens-Labor-Coalition motion calling on the government to provide support and funding for Year of the Farmer initiatives was last month pas... ...more
Senator NASH (New South Wales—Deputy Leader of The Nationals in the Senate) (17:02): by leave—I move:
That the Senate take note of the document.
I rise to take note of this response primarily because it shows, again, the government saying one thing and doing another and its lack of truthfulness ... ...more
THREE coalition senators have moved that the Labor government be more proactive in addressing the worsening shortage of agriculture graduates and skilled workers.
Senators Fiona Nash, Chris Back and Bridget McKenzie introduced the motion that was supported by the Greens and Independent senators.
... ...more
The senate today moved that the Labor government be more proactive in addressing the worsening shortage of agriculture graduates and skilled workers.
Coalition senators Fiona Nash, Chris Back and Bridget McKenzie introduced the motion that was supported by the Greens and Independent senato... ...more
The carbon tax will impact the grains freight rail sector and inevitably grain growers, Nationals Senator Fiona Nash said.
Senators today heard of the carbon tax impact during the Rural Affairs and Transport senate inquiry hearing into operational issues concerning grain exports.
T... ...more
By NICK HEYDON
18 Feb, 2012 04:00 AM
LACK of interest has forced one of only 11 universities in Australia offering undergraduate agricultural science to suspend its intake of ag students for 2012.
The University of Western Sydney’s (UWS) Hawkesbury campus received less than 10 applicatio... ...more
THE agricultural industry has reached a crisis point that can no longer be ignored.
This is the assessment of Charles Sturt University (CSU) research professor and secretary of the Australian Council of Deans of Agriculture (ACDA) Jim Pratley who is actively pushing to ensure the number of gr... ...more
The shortage of graduates and skilled workers in the agriculture sector was raised during senate estimates late today by the Coalition’s Regional Education spokesperson, Senator Fiona Nash.
Senator Nash questioned department officials what was being done to address the shortage that appears ... ...more
The Coalition’s Regional Education spokesperson, Senator Fiona Nash, said the cancellation of a long-standing, renowned agriculture course at Hawkesbury reinforces the urgent need for government action in addressing the shortage of graduates and skills in the sector.
The University of Wester... ...more
BY COLIN BETTLES
12 Feb, 2012
THE federal opposition started the new parliamentary year this week by accusing the Labor government of abandoning agriculture.
Shadow Agriculture Minister John Cobb was highly critical of a new mission statement developed by the Australian Department of Agriculture,... ...more
NARROMINE NEWS
8 Feb, 2012 09:42 AM
Nationals Senator Fiona Nash encourages farmers to give feedback on how the latest supermarket price war on fruit and vegetables will affect them.
“This is another marketing ploy by Coles for commercial gain and it is disappointing that Woolworths has jumped on... ...more
By MICK MCGLONE
7 February 2012
THIS year will always be a bit of a landmark for The Lioness and myself.
If for no other reason than the fact the start of the school year had no impact on our lives, for the first time in 16 years.
The Princess Legend is now a qualified hairdresser while the D-Ma... ...more
Nationals Senator Fiona Nash questioned Labor’s commitment to agriculture, with a track record of neglecting the sector.
“Just this morning is the latest example with the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, not even mentioning agriculture as among those industries significant to the national economy, that... ...more
Nationals Senator Fiona Nash encourages farmers to give feedback on how the latest supermarket price war on fruit and vegetables will affect them.
“This is another marketing ploy by Coles for commercial gain and it is disappointing that Woolworths has jumped on board. Our farmers are yet a... ...more
14 December 2011
by MELANIE SIM
Farmers and politicians are saying it loud and clear: "Compensation just isn't good enough for farmers affected by Coal seam gas activities."
That was one issue of many raised at a meeting yesterday at Mullaley, west of Gunnedah.
It was organised by the Marys Moun... ...more
Prime News Tamworth reports on a forum on Coal Seam Gas mining held yesterday at Mullaley in north-west NSW.
See story and interview with Senator Nash -au.prime7.yahoo.com/n2/video/-/watch/27569684/support-for-tighter-controls-on-csg/ ...more
7 December 2011
By LESLIE WHITE
THE Federal Government has no idea whether foreign agricultural investors keep their promises on land use.
And one of the biggest foreign buyers of Australian farmland says the Government should order that agricultural land continue to be farmed - and check to ens... ...more
1 December 2011By JAMIE WALKER and BEN PACKHAMFARMERS and other property owners would reap 1 per cent of the value of coal-seam gas extracted from their land under a proposal by Nationals senators to appease rural anger at the industry.The "default agreement", to put a floor on the income paid by CS... ...more
30 November 2011 - as written for the Weekly Times. Foreign investment is going to be, without doubt, one of the most critical issues facing the nation over the coming decades.We need to be certain that in the future this nation is able to feed itself. We also need to be able to play our part as a r... ...more
30 November 2011OPINION By SENATOR FIONA NASH WE MUST not jeopardise our own requirements, writes FIONA NASH Foreign investment is going to be, without doubt, one of the most critical issues facing the nation over the coming decades.We need to be certain that in the future this nation is able to fee... ...more
30 November 2011By JADE MARTINhttp://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/griffith-residents-fight-for-their-water/2375569.aspxGRIFFITH residents yesterday rolled up in force to show just how badly the planned water cuts brought about by the Murray-Darling Basin Plan would affect their... ...more
RURAL AFFAIRS AND TRANSPORT INQUIRY - THE MANAGEMENT OF THE MURRAY DARLING BASINOn 28 October 2010 the Senate referred the following matter to the Senate Standing Committees on Rural Affairs and Transport for inquiry and report.The management of the Murray-Darling Basin, and the development and impl... ...more
30 November
BY MELODY MONTAGUE
For story/pic, go to: http://www.areanews.com.au/news/local/news/general/nationals-pledge-to-continue-fight/2375812.aspx
SHADOW water minister Barnaby Joyce pledged his support to irrigation communities during a visit to Griffith yesterday.
Mr Joyce was in the MIA ... ...more
29 November 2011By KIM WOODS RIVERINA'S green rice fields may be stained red as the Murray Darling Basin Draft plan war hots up.Angry Griffith irrigators and businesses have vowed to take their fight to Canberra's "front porch" to save the region from savage water cutbacks.They called for outcomes a... ...more
28 November 2011By KIM WOODSFRUSTRATIONS over the Murray Darling Basin draft plan are expected to boil over with an influx of politicians to the Riverina tomorrow.Griffith will host a community forum at the Ex-Servicemen’s Club at 11am, with speakers outlining the impact of the plan on their livelih... ...more
RURAL AFFAIRS AND TRANSPORT INQUIRY - ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS IN AUSTRALIA'S LIVE EXPORT MARKETS
On 16 June 2011 the Senate referred the improvements in animal welfare for Australian live exports for inquiry and report.
1. Investigate and report into the role and effectiveness of Government,... ...more
Labor’s Minister for Agriculture, Senator Joe Ludwig, today proved he is completely out of touch with his portfolio, being incapable of answering questions on the impact of the carbon tax on farming. Concerns have been raised by the peak farming body, the National Farmers’ Federation, and again toda... ...more
Revelations at a senate inquiry hearing raised more questions than answers about foreign ownership of Australian agricultural land and assets, Nationals Senator Fiona Nash said.
Senator Nash is a member of the senate Rural Affairs and Transport committee that is holding an inquiry into the Foreign... ...more
Leslie White | November 16, 2011
AUSTRALIA'S foreign investment watchdog monitors if foreign ag investors keep their promises via "letters from their lawyers".
The senate inquiry into foreign investment has grilled Foreign Investment Review Board officials over the “National Interest”... ...more
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS INQUIRY - HIGHER EDUCATION AND SKILLS TRAINING TO SUPPORT FUTURE DEMAND IN AGRICULTURE AND AGRIBUSINESS IN AUSTRALIA
TERMS OF REFERENCE:
Higher education and skills training to support future demand in agriculture and agribusiness in Australia.
... ...more
RURAL AFFAIRS AND TRANSPORT INQUIRY - EXAMINATION OF THE FOREIGN INVESTMENT REVIEW BOARD NATIONAL INTEREST TEST
On 06 July 2011 the Senate referred the following matter to the Senate Standing Committees on Rural Affairs and Transport for inquiry and report.
TERMS OF REFERENCE:
An examinat... ...more
ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS INQUIRY - CARBON CREDITS (CARBON FARMING INITIATIVE) BILL 2011 AND RELATED BILLS
On 25 March 2011 the Senate jointly referred the Australian National Registry of Emissions Units Bill 2011 and the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Bill 2011 and the Carbon Cr... ...more
From Weekly Times Now,
David McKenzie,
FOOD processors are opposing a push by Opposition Senators to strengthen country-of-origin labelling laws.
Peak grocery and beverage bodies and leading processors say food companies would face constant label changes and higher costs i... ...more
From The Land, By Clancy Yeates
A GROUP of irate farmers has launched a legal challenge against BHP Billiton in to bid to stop the company from developing coalfields in the state's north-west.
Landowners and residents from the Liverpool Plains, near Tamworth, sought to overturn a B... ...more
From The Land
Spare me the quarantine spin
By Lucy Knight
A FEW months ago, the Government had committed money towards reforms at the Australian Quarantine and Inspection service to streamline the export certification process and deliver greater efficiency with new online technologies and l... ...more
By Sabra Lane for AM
The Federal Government has denied gagging public servants in its trade agency after a submission critical of official policy disappeared from a parliamentary website.
Trade and development agency Austrade had warned that plans to charge companies for quarantine inspections cou... ...more