April 2016

Approximately 40,000 backpackers work on farms each year, and generate more than $3.5 billion to the Australian economy. This significant income stream is under threat if the Federal Government does not take on board recommendations from industry. WAFarmers calls on the Federal Government to provide details on the future of the backpacker tax, following reports that the government does not intend to reconsider the proposed tax or apply recommendations from key industry stakeholders. Ahead of

WAFarmers congratulates AgConnectWA member Luke Ieraci, who was announced as a runner up in the inaugural Brownes Dairy Young Dairy Farmer of the Year Awards tonight. A 21-year-old third-generation dairy farmer from Brunswick Junction, Mr Ieraci was the youngest finalist across the two award categories, both of which were announced at the WAFarmers Dairy Industry Dinner following the 2016 Dairy Innovation Day. Mr Ieraci, who nominated for the dairy farm owner or share farmer category,

A 21-year-old third-generation dairy farmer from Brunswick Junction is the youngest finalist for the inaugural Brownes Dairy Young Dairy Farmer of the Year awards, which will be announced this Thursday. Luke Ieraci, who nominated for the dairy farm owner or share farmer category, believes the biggest challenge facing the dairy industry is the attraction and retention of young people in the industry. Mr Ieraci said his goal was to help raise the number of farms

The Federal Government’s decision to abolish the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) in Parliament has been celebrated by WAFarmers. The Road Safety Remuneration Repeal Bill 2016 was passed by both Houses of Parliament yesterday, and will take effect from Friday 22 April. The decision to scrap the RSRT came off the back of significant pressure from truck drivers over the weekend in Canberra and ongoing advocacy from national and state farming organisations, key industry groups,

The annual celebration of all things honey will kick off in two weeks, with the Honey Festival being the first of many events throughout May to promote the importance of Australian honeybees and their products. Now in its fifth year and having been expanded to a national platform after commencing in Western Australia in 2012, the Honey Festival will take place at The House of Honey on Sunday 1 May, and is expected to attract

A recent Safety Awareness Session in Katanning presented by Farmsafe WA Alliance and WAFarmers Central Great Southern Zone left attendees informed about the latest health and safety risk assessment and legislative requirements. The practical 90 minute session aimed to help employers and organisations understand their duty of care, and how to take reasonable steps to prevent accidents in the workplace, through consultation with workers, supervision, induction and training, and risk assessment. A WorkSafe Inspector also

WAFarmers Chief Executive Officer Stephen Brown said the results from the latest WAFarmers Member Survey were overwhelming positive, with 98.46 per cent of respondents satisfied with how WAFarmers represented the interests of members. “We were most encouraged by the results of the survey, especially the fact that almost all respondents said they were satisfied with our performance,” he said. “Additionally, 93.85 per cent of respondents said they would recommend a WAFarmers Membership to others –

Farmers and members of the public are invited to a Fremantle Port Public Forum with the Treasurer Dr Mike Nahan and Member for the Agricultural Region and Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Foods; Transport the Hon Jim Chown.  The Treasurer will present details of the lease, outline the immense benefits for the WA agricultural sector and agribusiness sector, and answer questions from the floor.  WAFarmers encourages members to attend the forum so they can hear