Tag: David Littleproud

David Littleproud Becomes National Party Leader, Says Cutting Emissions Is ‘First Principles’

David Littleproud has been elected as the new leader of the conservative National party after a party room vote on Monday, ousting incumbent Barnaby Joyce and former minister Darren Chester. Senator Perin Davey from New South Wales will be the deputy leader. In his first press conference as leader, Littleproud said the Nationals, which is…


Nationals MP Defends Peter Dutton after Western Australian Premier’s Derogatory Remarks

Australian National Party member of parliament (MP) and the former agricultural minister David Littleproud has defended the new Liberal leader front runner Peter Dutton following Western Australian Labor premier Mark McGowan’s less than flattering comments about the former defence minister on Monday. Littleproud called Dutton pragmatic and said he feels Dutton will provide the balance…


Greatest Biosecurity Threat Hovers Over Northern Australia: Chief Vet

Australia’s chief veterinary officer has warned that the country’s agriculture industry faces its “greatest biosecurity threat” in decades. Dr. Mark Schipp’s warning comes after Indonesia witnessed the re-emergence of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in early May, which followed an outbreak of lumpy skin disease in March and African swine fever earlier. “The incursion of three of those…


Coalition Pledges $75 Million to Help Farmers Buy Their First Farm

The Coalition has promised $75 million to help farmers buy their first farm, encouraging more people into the agriculture industry as land prices surge. A $75 million Future Farmer Guarantee Scheme will be rolled out over 18 months, beginning on Jan. 1, 2023, according to Agriculture Minister David Littleproud. The scheme would see the government acting…


Australia Warns About Biosecurity Risks From Chinese Lunar New Year Gifts

With the Lunar New Year, only weeks away on Feb. 1, the Australian Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud has reminded Australians to ensure that gifts sent or brought to Australia from overseas do not pose a biosecurity risk. Littleproud said gifts could contain pests and diseases that can seriously impact the nation’s environment, agriculture, and tourism…


Australian Farmers Set to Achieve Record $73 Billion Season

Australian agricultural producers are expecting a record-breaking harvest this season due to a perfect combination of price increases and higher production volumes. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) upgraded its 2021-22 financial year agriculture forecast to $73 billion (the U.S.$53.5 billion). It will be the first time Australia’s gross agriculture…


Mooncakes Can Pose a Biosecurity Risk to Australia: Agriculture Minister

Australian biosecurity officers are checking mooncakes and other gifts from overseas for biosecurity concerns as the Mid-Autumn festival approaches. Agriculture Minister David Littleproud is advising importers and consumers to check the biosecurity rules before finalising gift orders. The fact sheet is also available in Chinese and Vietnamese. “Australia has strict biosecurity conditions to ensure goods…


Labor Pushes Government to Address Shortfall in Farm Hands

Labor is calling on the Morrison government to address the issue of understaffed farmers resulting in Aussie growers losing more than AU$40 million (US$30.1 million) as unpicked crops rot. The move is led by Opposition Agricultural Minister Ed Husic, who is hoping for an urgent meeting of state and federal ministers to address the crisis….


Prioritising ‘Non-Essential’ Australian Open a Risk Says Federal Politicians

The Victorian government is accused of misplacing their priorities as the Australian Open draws ire from federal politicians after dozens of international players were put in strict quarantine due to several CCP virus cases. Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon told Nine Network’s Sunrise on Monday, that while Victoria may need the Australian Open for its economy, he…