The Latest Breaking News from Fiona Simson

Time to get hands dirty in fight to protect farms, land

Farmers and the community need to trust one another and work together to tackle challenges facing the land - and outdated laws need to catch up, an expert says.

AAP · Sep 21, 2025

The ‘latte line’ dividing metropolitan and regional Australia has disappeared, but have the lobby groups kept pace?

The bush is changing, says National Farmers Federation outgoing president Fiona Simson, but the battle lines remain the same

The Guardian - AU · Oct 24, 2023

Farmers' president fires parting shot at Labor policies

A proposed ban on live sheep exports has been labelled a "disaster for animal welfare" in a heated speech by the outgoing head of the national farmers' lobby.

AAP · Oct 24, 2023

Ag export success linked to sustainability

Agriculture Minister Murray Watt is visiting the UK and Europe to discuss free trade agreements and promote the sustainability of Australian farms.

AAP · Jan 16, 2023

'Right to repair' farm machinery advocates urge Australian reform after US John Deere deal

US farmers can now repair their own John Deere tractors, and Australia's national farm lobby wants the same for producers through government-led reforms.

ABC News · Jan 11, 2023

Female leaders on the rise in agriculture

Female leaders are on the rise in agriculture, according to data from the farmers federation, helping to meet its goal to double the number of women leaders.

AAP · Nov 22, 2022

As food insecurity skyrockets, experts warn the true cost of food hasn't been paid, and the bill is due

We are paying more for it in the supermarkets and it's costing farmers more to provide it, but experts say it is not even close to the true price of producing food.

ABC News · Nov 3, 2022

Food supply needs more focus say farmers

Farmers say Tuesday's budget doesn't do enough to increase food supply but have welcomed an injection in funds across the agriculture sector.

AAP · Oct 26, 2022

Questions over land clearing in North Queensland where vulnerable species are thought to live

The loss of habitat likely to contain threatened animal and plant species has raised further questions about the effectiveness of state and federal environmental protection laws.

ABC News · Sep 28, 2022

Regions will be the centre of energy shift

Regional communities must be included in planning and conversations about renewable energy, a national summit has been told.

AAP · Sep 13, 2022