Category: Industry Information

Miscellaneous information

Media Statement – Minister for Agricultural Industry Dev. and Fisheries – Mark Furner

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Media Statements

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries
The Honourable Mark Furner

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Queensland’s Drought Program to be reviewed ahead of next big dry

The Palaszczuk Government has commissioned a review of the Drought Program, to improve resilience and assistance for farmers in future droughts.

Speaking in Charleville today, (26 Aug) Minister for Agricultural Industry Development Mark Furner announced that an independent expert panel would conduct the review.

“Droughts are part of life in Queensland and our producers are very experienced with the big droughts and the big floods that often end them,” Mr Furner said.

“However even the most resilient and well-prepared producer and their community can struggle in a crippling and prolonged long drought such as this one.

“Since the current drought started to impact in 2013, the Queensland Government has allocated over $670 million in assistance.

“We have always supported our farmers and I assure embattled rural families that our current Drought Assistance Package will continue for the duration of this drought.

“However, with drought foremost in people’s minds, right now is the best time to work with industry and the community to review government, industry and community actions through this drought and to consider and recommend improvements for coping in future.

“All too often reviews have been conducted well after droughts are over and lessons are forgotten.”

Mr Furner said Ruth Wade and Charles Burke were appointed to run the review to identify potential improvements for future droughts in line with national drought policy.

“Ms Wade and Mr Burke have a strong industry background and understanding of the pressures of drought visits on rural communities, being former Chief Executive Officers of the Queensland Farmers Federation (QFF) and AgForce Queensland respectively,” he said.

“The panel will hold forums in six regional centres and will seek written submissions through the drought program review website throughout September and October 2018. Details on how to make submissions will be online from mid-September.

“I encourage community members to attend these forums to have their say on what’s needed in future and to submit their thoughts online for the panel to consider.” read more

Queensland Farmers Federation Reef Champion Awards

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QLD FARMERS FEDERATION REEF CHAMPION AWARDS In 2018, the International Year of the Reef, the Reef Champion Awards, an initiative of the Reef Alliance, recognise and celebrate the achievements and efforts of outstanding individuals and organisations who have taken action to improve the quality of water entering the Great Barrier Reef.

Entrants in all categories (except the Prince of Wales, Community and Youth

Awards) must have participated in an Australian Government or Queensland Government program in the last five years.

https://www.qff.org.au/projects/reef-alliance/awards/

New Sugar Cane Variety for Burdekin

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NEW SUGAR CANE VARIETY FOR BURDEKIN

Please refer to SRA/Wilmar Sugar media release.

Regional Variety Committee meeting held on 21st June voted on the decision for limited release of trial variety KQ08-2180 with full disclosure on its smut history and status to growers when giving consideration to clean seed cane requirements. Information surrounding KQ08-2180 was posted to our webpage on 2nd July 2018. This variety has now been formally named and is the subject of media release.

This new variety is to be planted into mother plots this season and will become available to growers in 2020.

Les Elphinstone

Manager KCGOL

thumbnail of Media release WSRA17

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STL – Nomination of Industry Director

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STL – Notification of upcoming nomination of Industry Director 

Dear Shareholder The purpose of this email to G Class shareholders of Sugar Terminals Limited (STL) is to provide notification of the retirement of a Grower Director at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) and to invite nominations from G Class shareholders to fill the vacancy. After nine years as a Grower Director, Mr Con Christofides will retire at the AGM in accordance with the Constitution and is not eligible for re-election. The AGM will be held on Wednesday, 24 October 2018, commencing at 10am at the office of Clayton Utz, Level 28, 71 Eagle Street, Brisbane. The Annual Report and a formal Notice of Meeting will be sent to shareholders in September.
Nomination of Industry Director The STL Board hereby invites nominations from G Class shareholders for candidates for election as a Grower Director. To make a valid nomination, STL must receive:

a notice in writing:

  • nominating a person for election as a Director and
  • signed by a member who is entitled to attend the AGM and vote on the election; and

a notice in writing:

  • signed by the person nominated, advising of his or her willingness to be appointed as Director.

a Member Status Declaration signed by the nominating member.

These documents must be received by STL no later than 5.00 pm on Tuesday 4 September 2018. All valid nominations will be listed in the Notice of Meeting for the AGM. Please forward with each nomination a brief summary of relevant experience and expertise to be included on the ballot papers (maximum of 50 words).
On behalf of the Directors of Sugar Terminals Limited Peter Bolton CFO and Company Secretary

QFF – Media Release

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QFF – Media Release
QFF welcomes offset move by other major banks

The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) has welcomed announcements from Westpac and ANZ that they too will now allow farmers to offset money held in Farm Management Deposits (FMDs) against their agricultural lending. QFF CEO Travis Tobin said the capitulation from Westpac and ANZ meant that farmers do not need to consider switching banks to access the improvement to this useful risk management tool and he congratulated Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud for successfully encouraging all the banks to get on board. “The offsets provision was an important part of the positive and proactive FMD reforms that passed Federal Parliament in early 2016 but until recently, Rural Bank was the only financial institution to offer farmers the opportunity to use their FMDs to offset their borrowings,” Mr Tobin said. “NAB, CBA and Rabobank recently followed Rural Bank’s lead after the Royal Commission hearings and constant pressure from Federal Agriculture Minister,David Littleproud and we commend his persistence on this issue.” “With all the major agri-lenders now offering FMD offsets, whether to switch banks or not is one less decision farmers will need to make. With drought pressures mounting, this will be welcome for many.” “Farmers and country people are tough, but this protracted drought is challenging for even the most resilient. QFF thanks the banks for backing rural and regional Queensland by giving farmers another tool to manage risk and plan for the future,” Mr Tobin said. Help is available to farmers and rural communities affected by drought, for details about assistance and support services or to lend a hand to those doing it tough see here: Support for drought affected farmers and rural communities. ENDS

Media enquiries: Kayla Plunkett – 0448 000 692

QLD GOVERNMENT – ENERGY IN YOUR BUSINESS

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QLD GOVERNMENT – ENERGY IN YOUR BUSINESS

Large Customer Adjustment Program

Applications are now open for Phase 2 of the Large Customer Adjustment Program. Closing date for applications is 7 September 2018.

This program provides assistance to large electricity customers in regional Queensland who are currently on transitional and obsolete electricity tariffs.

For further information, please click on link below:

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/energy-business/electricity-support-packages/large-customer-program?platform=hootsuite