Category Archives: Agriculture

Asian growth boosts our agricultural sector

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Given agriculture is one of the so-called “four pillars” of the Queensland economy, the Government will be pleased with rosy forecasts for the sector such as this one from NAB agribusiness head Khan Horne, reported in Queensland Country Life today … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture | 2 Comments

We’re not selling off the farm

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Gene Tunny

Gregor Heard has an insightful post on the Queensland Country Life website on how to get rural issues right. I agree with him that closer scrutiny of foreign investment in Australian agricultural land, a policy commitment of the Federal Opposition’s, … Continue reading →

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Should we worry about food security?

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Gene Tunny

The push for greater local food production in urban and peri-urban areas makes no economic sense in a country where there is abundant farm land, and hence I was pleased to learn about the views of a University of Queensland … Continue reading →

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Farmers miss out when Govt gives $275M handout to Holden

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Gene Tunny

There is a great opinion piece in the rural press today (available at Queensland Country Life) on “Why Holden’s crutch matters to ag.” The author Gregor Heard opines: Some tough questions have to be asked about our car manufacturers and … Continue reading →

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Treasurer’s “secret mine deal” shows real leadership

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Treasurer Andrew Fraser has done the right thing in working around the Government’s proposed strategic cropping land (SCL) policy. As reported in today’s Rockhampton Morning Bulletin’s lead story, Treasurer’s secret mine deal: QUEENSLAND Treasurer Andrew Fraser has struck a secret … Continue reading →

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Qld agriculture reliant on 457 visas

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Gene Tunny

At the end of July, there were 920 temporary, business-sponsored migrants holding 457 visas working in agriculture in Queensland, compared with 300 in NSW and smaller numbers in other States (see Table 1.22 in this Immigration department report). While over … Continue reading →

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Carbon tax creates uncertainty for regional Qld businesses

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Premier Anna Bligh today will launch the Queensland Regionalisation Strategy (see Bligh plugs Downs future), but the ultimate success of the Strategy may depend on the impacts of the carbon tax on our regional economies. Many regional businesses remain concerned … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Climate change, Mining, Queensland Government, Tourism | Leave a comment

Agricultural businesses cover 75% of Queensland – highest proportion in Australia

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Gene Tunny

There are some interesting statistics in today’s ABS release Land Management and Farming in Australia: In 2009-10, approximately 52% of Australia’s total land area was managed by agricultural businesses, a 4% decrease since 2007-08. On a state basis, the lowest proportion … Continue reading →

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Live exports suspension could mean cheaper steaks

Posted on June 8, 2011 by Gene Tunny

The Gillard Government did the right thing today in suspending live cattle exports to Indonesia. The reaction from the beef industry is over the top, particularly given the Government and the PM personally have stressed this is a temporary ban … Continue reading →

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Budget losers

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Despite the federal Government committing $365 million last year for the Gold Coast’s new light rail system, Ken Robinson of the Gold Coast Bulletin is asking the Government “what have you done for us lately?” Gold Coast invisible in Federal … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Budget, Gold Coast, Mackay | Leave a comment