THE groundwork has been laid for Australia’s most substantive attempt at tax reform in more than two decades as the treasurer promises to “grasp the nettle” on the thorny issue. Outlining his government’s economic agenda for its second term of parliament, Jim Chalmers threw down the gauntlet to industry, media, civil society and the political […]
Farming body welcomes NSW Gov ag funding
Premier Chris Minns with students at Tocal College last Friday. Premier Chris Minns with students at Tocal College last Friday. The state government has committed more than $140 million to the agriculture sector. Photo: DPIRD. THE State Government will invest over $140 million of new funding to “safeguard the future of NSW’s agricultural industry”. On […]
More support sought for flood-affected farmers
THE Liberal and National parties are continuing calls for Federal and State governments to urgently amend Category C and D disaster recovery funding to the maximum thresholds of $50,000 for small businesses and $75,000 for primary producers. Local MPs say the current $25,000 threshold is simply not enough, however Labor Ministers have urged primary producers […]
The writs were returned to Governor-General Sam Mostyn on 12 June by Acting Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope. Photo: AEC.
Make-up of Australian Senate confirmed
RESULTS of the 2025 Federal Election have been finalised and the writs returned to the Governor-General Sam Mostyn. This marks the end of the electoral process for the House of Representatives and Senate and paves the way for the opening of the 48th Parliament on 22 July. Acting Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope said the election […]
Former prime minister Scott Morrison has received the top gong in the King's Birthday Honours List. Photo: Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS.
Ex-PM lauded over honours gong but not everyone’s happy
FORMER prime minister Scott Morrison has been congratulated after receiving Australia’s highest civilian honour, but there is at least one call for him to decline the gong. Mr Morrison is one of 14 people named as a Companion of the Order of Australia in the annual King’s Birthday Honours List, alongside filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and […]
Construction imminent on Urunga boardwalk upgrade
Upgrades to the boardwalk are expected to be completed next year. CONSTRUCTION on the long-anticipated Urunga Boardwalk upgrade is set to officially commence on Monday 16 June. All tenders for the Boardwalk project have been locked in, and the first stage will involve establishing a site compound to support construction works. The boardwalk will be […]
NSW Gov announce funding to expand crisis and transitional housing
THE State Government has announced $30.4 million for a new crisis intervention package to “ensure more vulnerable people can access homelessness services and find a safe place to live”. The 2025-26 NSW Budget will include $20 million to expand existing crisis and transitional housing, and $10.4 million over four years for homelessness charity the Bill […]
Kempsey Mayor welcomes Ministers to witness flood devastation
KEMPSEY Shire Council Mayor Kinne Ring welcomed a delegation of state and federal Ministers to the region on Monday, 26 May to witness firsthand the widespread devastation caused by recent flooding and to advocate for urgent recovery support. Since November 2009 there have been 26 natural disaster declarations for the Kempsey Shire with multiple floods, […]
Tiered fee system proposed for National Park camping
CONCERNS have been raised that tiered pricing for camping in National Parks could leave the pursuit beyond the reach of struggling families. A consultation paper was released last month by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, which sets out proposed changes to the camping fee system for national parks and reserves in NSW. The […]
NSW Gov funds $10m for weed control and eradication
THE NSW Government will deliver $10 million to local councils to target high-risk weeds across the state. The Weeds Action Program funds local councils, known as Local Control Authorities (LCA), to detect and respond quickly to incursions of new high-risk weeds. The program focuses on prevention and early intervention to stop the spread of problem […]
