News
Pensioners to get back to work under Sharkie plan
With Australian farms and businesses desperate for workers, Independent MP Rebekha Sharkie is urging the federal government to make it possible for people on the age pension to work without losing much of their benefit.
ABC Radio | Perth – Federal Agriculture Murray Whatt on FMD
The Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt, who has just announced a new taskforce, will be created to help plan for an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Australia. Importantly, this taskforce will be co-led by a senior officer of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Director General of Emergency Management Australia. Bringing together both the experts in biosecurity and animal health and our experts in disaster management.
AGE PENSIONERS KEY TO SOLVING AUSTRALIA’S LABOUR CRUNCH
Perhaps the single best option for tackling these issues is to provide an unlimited work bonus which would allow pensioners to earn as much as they want from work and just pay income tax like everyone else. This is not to suggest a universal pension — eligibility would still be subject to an assets test and other income tests — but to give pensioners greater freedom to work if they choose to. It will give greater freedom and prosperity to pensioners who choose to work, it will increase revenue from the tax on additional income earned, and it will provide immediate relief to businesses across Australia struggling with worker shortages.
Employers back push to allow pensioners to work more without losing government payment
“We need to pursue every solution,” she said. “That means supporting older Australians who are willing to pitch in at a seriously challenging time.” Hancock Prospecting executive chairwoman Gina Rinehart said the policy would be a “win-win-win-win” for pensioners and veterans who “deserve the right” to work without onerous paperwork. She said it could help ease acute staffing shortages in aged care, hospitals and other sectors.
Gina backs ‘win-win’ plan for seniors
Thousands of pensioners and “grey nomads” could hold the key to unlocking the nation’s workforce crisis, according to a plan backed by mining magnate Gina Rinehart. “This policy would be … good for pensioners and veterans who deserve the right at least as much as all of us to work if we chose without onerous paperwork,” she said.
Push to get over 65s back to work
Senior Australians would be able to work more hours before getting their pensions docked under new proposed legislation being introduced by independent MP Rebekha Sharkie on Monday. The private members bill – designed to alleviate critical workforce shortages – will attempt to increase the income test threshold for pensioners and has the backing of major stakeholders including the National Farmers Federation, Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, National Seniors Australia and Gina Rinehart.
Woodsmith Mine development on target, say owners Anglo American
Progress is being made in line with a revised development plan for the multimillion-pound Woodsmith Project, says the company behind it. The low carbon fertiliser is being marketed as a means for farmers to increase yields, improve crop quality and enhance soil health. And in this latest update Anglo said “dislocation” in the global fertiliser market during the first half of the year had caused price increases and availability issues which creates an opportunity for the Crop Nutrients business. Anglo said: “Prices are expected to remain firm and above historical levels for the foreseeable future, as supply restrictions and high energy and manufacturing costs continue. Many countries are re-assessing their sourcing of fertiliser and agricultural products as they seek greater reliability of supply while also encouraging more efficient fertiliser use, driving innovation, and supporting more sustainable crop solutions.”
NT News | GINA’S FURY OVER FMD
“It’s important to note that Australia is foot-and-mouth disease-free, that our products continue to be available to the world. The disease is highly contagious and affects cattle, sheep, goats, camelids, deer and pigs. GINA Rinehart says more money needs to be spent on a ramped-up biosecurity response to the Indonesian foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak to protect Australian livestock from getting infected.
Rinehart’s foot and mouth anger
Gina Rinehart says more money needs to be spent on a ramped-up biosecurity response to the Indonesian foot-and-mouth disease outbreak to protect Australian livestock from getting infected.“All practical options need to be urgently considered as we do not want to regret too little action as it will be too late once the disease is in Australia.” The opposition has increased its calls for Australia to close its borders to Indonesia until the spread of the virus is under control. Installation of sanitation foot mats at airports with Indonesian flights would be completed on Tuesday, the Albanese government said, but border Force officials are only individually screening the most high-risk passengers despite calls from farm lobby groups for 100 per cent screening.
PM must learn the art of how to manage in a crisis
Mr Albanese will be held to account on economy and foot-and-mouth. If foot-and-mouth makes its way to Australia it will devastate our grazing industry, immediately cut exports and send prices soaring for all consumers. The cost of an outbreak has been estimated at $80bn across 10 years. Gina Rinehart, as towering a figure in agriculture as she is in iron ore, says an outbreak would put more than 65 per cent of the nation’s export markets at risk. Like the rest of the industry, Ms Rinehart is calling on the government to overreact rather than be faced with the regret of having been too slow should the worst happen.
