“The National Farmers’ Federation, with the backing of our members, has tackled significant policy hurdles like environmental reforms and the live sheep trade ban to standing up against union access to farms and making sure farmers can retain access to overseas workers,” Mr Jochinke said.
He said “despite these challenges” the NFF celebrated some significant wins:
- Stronger competition and merger laws.
- Greater global engagement on trade and sustainability.
- Headway on right-to-repair for agricultural machinery.
- Stopping the ‘super tax’ from becoming law.
- Making sure farmers didn’t get slugged with the new biosecurity tax.
- Giving farmers a voice in 150 consultations and 35 inquiries.
- Supporting the industry’s future via leadership and gap year programs
Read the NFF’s Year in Review at: 2024-NFF-Year-in-Review-FINAL.pdf
New wage laws in effect
NSW Farmers is reminding employers that new wage theft laws come into play from January 1.
Under the new laws, harsh criminal penalties will apply for businesses that intentionally underpay their employees, regardless of the quantum of the underpayment.
NSW Farmers workplace relations spokesperson Peter Wilson said the changes were an opportunity for farm businesses to not only review their compliance with workplace laws but also to reinforce their reputation as fair and responsible employers.
“Whether you have one employee or 50, it’s important to remember that farms, like any other professional enterprise, need to stay ahead of these important changes to workplace law,” Mr Wilson said.
Making levies obligations clearer
More than 50 pieces of legislation governing more than 110 levies and charges — across 75 commodities and 18 bodies that receive levies — are being streamlined into new legislation from January 1.
“From the start of 2025, the new legislation will make obligations clearer for levy payers, collection agents and bodies that receive levies, and better support industries seeking to pursue new or change existing levies,” Deputy Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Policy Matt Lowe said.
“The streamlined legislation will allow primary industries to continue to invest collectively in research and development, marketing, biosecurity activities and responses, and residue testing.”
Research and development corporations will also enjoy increased funding certainty under the new legislation, Mr Lowe said.
Heed blue-green algae warnings
People are being urged to check for blue-green algae warnings this summer, and to follow the advice of authorities for impacted waterways.
Goulburn-Murray Water recently issued its first warning for the summer at Lake Eildon.
G-MW water quality coordinator Bianca Atley said it was likely more warnings would be issued before long.
“As we get more long, sunny days, we start to see increases in blue-green algae levels and subsequently we start issuing more warnings,” she said.
G-MW regularly tests its lakes, dams and reservoirs for algae levels, and issues warnings on its website when tests reveal elevated levels.
Warnings can be found 24 hours a day on the G-MW blue-green algae hotline, call 5826 3785, and on the G-MW website at: https://www.g-mwater.com.au/news/bga
New year, new speed limit
A five-knot speed limit will come into effect at Greens Lake near Corop on January 1.
“We issue the five-knot speed limit at Greens Lake when the storage level reaches 47.4 per cent capacity,” Goulburn-Murray Water’s Paul Beard said.
“At this level, the lake is quite shallow and can pose a risk to people travelling at speed.
“Water levels at the lake are slowly dropping due to evaporation and will reach 47.4 per cent around the end of the year.”
The new speed limit will remain in place while water levels are below 47.4 per cent.
More information on the waterway rules at Greens Lake, as well as the storage’s current level, can be found at: www.gmwater.com.au/greenslake
Connectivity boost for Boho South
The Federal Government is improving digital connectivity for the community of Boho South in rural Victoria through the Regional Connectivity Program (RCP).
The new Telstra macro cell mobile site provides improved mobile coverage to the area south-west of Wangaratta.
The Commonwealth contributed $674,700 towards this project, along with contributions from the Victorian Government and Telstra.
The RCP is part of the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia, providing $656 million to improve mobile and broadband connectivity and resilience in rural, regional and remote communities.
This project was delivered under Round 2 of the RCP funding, which committed $137.21 million for 93 projects across Australia.
For more information on the Regional Connectivity Program, visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/rcp
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