Patrick J. Byrne

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AGRICULTURE: Farmers’ overwhelming support for alternate sugar package

Rural AffairsNovember 2, 2002

In record numbers at cane farmer meetings, growers have rejected the Queensland and Federal governments’ proposed deregulation plan and finance package for the industry. Instead, they have overwhelmingly supported an alternate eight point plan to return the once vibrant industry to profitability. Meetings headed by leading identities in the industry and by Federal independent MP, Bob Katter, have reached about half the 6,500 cane farmers in Queensland and northern NSW. So far, seven farmers’ meetings have been held, with more to come. Approximately 700 farmers attended one meeting in Ayr. About 800 attended the Ingham meeting, and another 500 in…

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WATER: Wimmera-Mallee major water conservation project underway

UncategorizedOctober 19, 2002

The widespread, worsening drought that could wipe $6 billion off the incomes of already struggling farmers, has highlighted the need to drought proof Australia. The Wimmera-Mallee Sustainable Water Management Strategy has the potential to greatly assist this for a large area of Western Victoria. Pat Byrne reports. According to The Macquarie World Atlas, “While Australia…

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Queensland sugar protests grow

UncategorizedOctober 5, 2002

There is strong opposition from sugar cane farmers to the Federal and Queensland governments’ package for the suffering sugar cane industry. While more details of the package are gradually being released, rallies organised by a farmer action group with Bob Katter MP on the platform, have attacked the package and strongly supported an alternate eight-point…

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AGRICULTURE: Cane farmers reject sugar package

Rural AffairsSeptember 21, 2002

The recently announced Federal Government’s proposal for the sugar industry is likely to achieve something rare in agri-politics – united opposition to the key proposals by farmer organisations. At stake for the government,with this heavily depressed industry, are four sugar electorates held by the Coalition. The fifth is held by independent Bob Katter. The package proposes abolishing single desk selling of raw sugar into the domestic market, and a $150 million assistance offer. Until 1996, farmers received a premium price for sugar sold into the domestic market, as a justifiable tariff stopped dumped sugar imports from undermining the domestic price.…

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