Trade Minister Craig Emerson and Prime Minister Julia Gillard have been keen to talk up the need for Australia to fill the plates of Asia with our locally-grown produce. But a critical skills shortage threatens our agricultural abilities to meet increasing global demand for food and fibre. The message is not getting through to…
THE CRISIS involving agriculture’s skills shortage was addressed in the Senate last week. The Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie, along with other committee representation, released the report into Higher Education and Skills Training to Support Agriculture and Agribusiness in Australia. The report included initiating an industry body to present to government a national strategy…
The Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie has spoken in the Senate attacking the government’s carbon tax and highlighting the damaging impact it would have on regional Victorians. Senator McKenzie said with four days to go until the toxic tax kicks in, the continuing denial and arrogance of the Labor government beggars belief. …