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.
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.
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.”
“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.
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.
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.
Discussion referencing Gina Rinehart’s demand that the Albanese Government ramp up Australia’s biosecurity against FMD.
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. “Money needs to be spent now, where it will actually reduce the problem, not in telling farmers not to worry,” she said. “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.”
With Indonesian authorities appearing to have lost control of the virus as it spreads across 22 provinces, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt has given sweeping biosecurity powers to Australia’s Border Force at airports to keep the disease out of the country. The Prime Minister said the actions were the “strongest ever measures introduced by an Australian government” to deal with an outbreak of the deadly virus, which could lead to an $80 billion wipe-out of the Australian livestock industry. Despite calls from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, and the Nationals, to close the border to the popular holiday destination of Bali, Mr Albanese said such a move was not yet necessary.
