The carbon tax will severely affect the ability of Australian rice growers to produce their staple food crop, new research released by the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia and National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has shown. The research, conducted by independent researcher Australian Farm Institute (AFI), shows that a carbon tax with agricultural fuel included will add [...]

CORANGAMITE MP Darren Cheeseman has described the renewable energy industry as the south-west’s most important jobs and investment driver. His comments follow a new investment statement from Union Fenosa Wind Australia that reveals the company is planning to spend $1.78 billion on local wind farms. Its projects are tipped to create 650 construction jobs and [...]

Xenophon Food Labelling Bill Will Push Up Food Prices, Hurt Australian and Developing World’s Poor 20 June 2011 – “A Bill being considered this Parliamentary week will increase food prices by driving processed food manufacturers to use 20 per cent more expensive ingredients”, said Tim Wilson, Director of the IP and Free Trade Unit today. Mr [...]

A leading economist has likened the effectiveness of the “flawed” production-based carbon pricing regime being considered by the Gillard government to doing nothing, arguing it will drive up costs and achieve little enviromental gain. In a paper to be released today by the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia, Geoff Carmody, a founding director [...]