29 June 2026
1. QFF is pleased to announce Kylie Porter as our new Chief Executive Officer. Kylie brings exceptional leadership experience and a strong commitment to Queensland's farming future which will continue to place QFF in good stead to represent our members. Kylie will commence with QFF from 27 July 2026. Read more here.
2. The 2026–27 Queensland Budget delivered key outcomes for agriculture including biosecurity investment, fuel relief, and road upgrades. QFF CEO Jo Sheppard appeared on ABC Radio discussing the budget and what it means for Queensland farmers. Listen here.
3. QFF welcomed the Queensland Government’s reintroduced Regional Planning Interests (Condamine Alluvium) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 (the Bill), which has adopted the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee in full. QFF and our members valued the opportunity to participate in the committee and appreciate the government listening to the concerns we raised. Read more here.
4. This QFF Farm Business Resilience Program webinar from earlier in the year contains practical lessons for poultry farms and ideas that could help strengthen Australia’s approach to biosecurity and food safety in the face of HPAI. Watch it here.
5. Water and environmental policy were top of the agenda during Cotton Australia’s political engagement in Canberra this week, which included meetings with key political figures across these portfolios. Discussions focused on key issues for cotton growers, including the EPBC Act and water policy, with a particular focus on the Murray-Darling Basin Review. Read more here.
6. With water critical to horticultural production, Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) has welcomed the Queensland Budget's investment in water infrastructure, with a caveat warning that ongoing commitment is needed to ensure regions receive continued support. Read more here.
7. Greenlife Industry Queensland has highlighted Greenlife Industry Australia’s (GIA) recent submission to the Federal Government’s National Biosecurity Reform Agenda. GIA outlined a range of recommendations designed to strengthen Australia’s biosecurity system while ensuring growers and nursery businesses are not unfairly burdened with the costs. Read more here.
8. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has completed its review of paraquat and diquat herbicides, finding new restrictions are necessary. Growers relying on these products should review the updated conditions carefully. Read more here.
9. A year after the release of Australia's National Food Security Preparedness Green Paper, researchers are assessing progress amid rising global insecurity. Supply chain vulnerabilities and Australia's preparedness remain key concerns with the authors issuing a timely reminder of the strategic importance of agriculture. Read more here.
10. The National Farmers’ Federation says last week’s release of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s What We Heard Report confirms water buybacks have already gone too far and must now be brought to an end. Read more here.