The NSW Nationals have slammed the Minns Government for failing to act as a new mutant, treatment resistant Varroa mite devastates the state’s beekeeping sector. Shadow Minister for Agriculture Brendan Moylan warned the crisis now threatens food security, regional jobs, and a $12.9 billion national pollination industry. “The Minns Labor Government’s complacent response has left…
Nationals Leader Matt Canavan has met the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and AgForce, as concerns rise about Labor’s first guide of the EPBC Act into Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Senator Canavan said farmers are increasingly worried the guide was cementing a new form of farm police. “Labor has done a deal with…
Nationals Leader Matt Canavan has called for an audit of the international treaties Australia is a party to. Senator Canavan, in a speech to the Federal Nationals’ Conference, said it was about time an audit was undertaken to investigate whether or not each treaty puts Australians first. “The Australian public deserves to know; do the…
PHOTO: Gurmesh Singh and Coffs Harbour commercial fisher Grahame Clarke near South Wall Nationals Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh has called on the NSW Government to urgently implement a permanent dredging solution for the entire harbour at Coffs Harbour. Mr Singh said the dredged sand could be used by private enterprise to offset the…
Shadow Minister for Water, Steph Cooke, says the loss of 92 jobs at SunRice facilities in Leeton and Deniliquin is the direct consequence of years of warnings being ignored about the impact of water policy on regional communities. As one of the Murray-Darling Basin’s largest employers and processors, SunRice warned policymakers as early as 2024…
Shadow Special Envoy for Men and Boys and LNP Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien, will move an urgency motion at The Nationals’ Federal Conference this weekend that aims to stop denying a working father paid parental leave, simply because the mother has not recently been in paid work. Mr O’Brien said this crucial motion…
The Riverina community has been dealt another blow with confirmation SunRice will cut 92 positions across its Deniliquin, Leeton and Australian Grain Storage operations, with 78 workers set to lose their jobs. Only 14 of the 92 workers are able to be redeployed to other areas of the business. Federal Nationals Member for Riverina and…
Nationals Leader, Matt Canavan, will reiterate the need to use all of Australia’s resources with the Party faithful at this weekend’s Nationals conference, as global coal investment reaches a 14-year high. Senator Canavan said he was encouraged by a briefing from FutureCoal in The Nationals party room today, showing global coal investment reaching US$180 billion…
Federal Nationals Member for Lyne Alison Penfold MP has welcomed the decision by MCi Carbon to relinquish its mineral exploration licences in the Manning Valley and congratulated Manning Against Mining Alliance (MAMA) and the local community for their determined advocacy. The exploration licences, covering around 93 square kilometres within the Manning River catchment, were cancelled…
Australia has lost the opportunity to secure national support for a regional NSW site with massive critical mineral potential, leaving the US to seize the day with a $566 million investment. Shadow Minister for Resources Senator Susan McDonald and Shadow Assistant Minister for Resources and Federal Nationals Member for Parkes, Jamie Chaffey MP, said the…
State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson says the Minns Labor Government must immediately halt a proposed aerial shooting operation targeting horses in Yuraygir National Park and Yuraygir State Conservation Area between Coffs Harbour and Yamba. An urgent letter has been sent to NSW Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe calling on the government to…
Nationals Member for Oxley Michael Kemp has launched a community petition calling on the NSW Government to expand its PolAir-Remote Drone program to the Mid North Coast. The call follows the results of a NSW Police drone trial in Moree, where the technology has been credited with helping reduce crime by around 50%, assisted police…
Tamworth teacher Ellie Gillett has been elected Chair of the NSW Nationals Women’s Council (WoCo) for 2026-27. Mrs Gillett was elected unopposed at the WoCo Annual General Meeting in Yass last weekend. She has served on the body since 2024 as an Executive member and secretary. A local primary school teacher who has just had…
PHOTO: Liza Hamilton, Richie Williamson, and Maclean High School Principal James Witchard. Behind them is Ngurra Jagun (“Home Country”), a permanent artwork by Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung artist Kim Healey, created from her studio near Grafton and celebrating the connection of First Nations people to Country. Maclean High School teacher Liza Hamilton has been recognised as one of…
The road to reopening has been a long and treacherous one for Jenolan Caves but the end is finally in sight. The iconic natural wonder will reopen to the public in 2027 for the first time in years. Fires, floods, and global pandemics have seen Jenolan Caves closed more days than open since 2020. Transport…
