Labor kicking winegrape growers while they are down

Murray Valley winegrape growers face serious economic risks from water buybacks, the Member for Mallee told Federal Parliament last night, as debate heats up on Labor’s agricultural policies in the final sitting fortnight before Easter. “The looming threats of forced exits, water buybacks and widespread vineyard abandonment pose not only economic risks but also significant…

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Victorian Labor fast tracks renewables, forgets social licence

Victorian Labor will fast track renewables projects in spite of community opposition through heavy handed new development rules, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says. Premier Jacinta Allan announced all new renewable projects in Victoria will be treated as “significant economic development”, railroading Mallee farmers and their communities and giving them no right of appeal.…

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Meta leaves regional media in the cold

Facebook owner Meta’s decision to stop paying news publishers for content should sound the alarm bell for regional media outlets, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says. The former Coalition government passed legislation in 2021 requiring platforms like Meta to pay Australian news outlets for content shared on their platforms. Meta’s media payment deals were…

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