Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 Co-Design Process

The State Government passed the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 (ACH Act) in December 2021 to provide a modern framework for the recognition, protection, conservation and preservation of Aboriginal cultural heritage while recognising the fundamental importance of Aboriginal cultural heritage to Aboriginal people. 

Click here to read the act.

Before the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 comes into operation, the Government needs to develop the regulations, statutory guidelines and operational policies to support the new Act and ensure it will have its intended effects. A transitional period will occur until early 2023 which will allow for the regulations, statutory guidelines and operational policies to be developed.

A reference group has been appointed to oversee a co-design process with Aboriginal people and other stakeholders. The first phase of the co-design will commence with workshops in key regional centres during April and May. Additionally, there will be an online consultation process.

The ACH Act has the potential to impact growers around the state. vegetablesWA will be participating in the co-design, however, it would be beneficial to have some grower members attend the co-design workshops in their regions. If you are unable to attend the workshops but have feedback that you would like provided please contact vegetablesWA to discuss.

The workshops will be held in;

• Kalgoorlie - Goldfields Arts Centre, 35 Cheetam Street, Monday 2 May 8:30 - 12pm
• Kalgoorlie - Goldfields Arts Centre, 35 Cheetam Street, Monday 2 May 1pm - 4:30pm
• Port Hedland - Wanangkura Stadium - Jimblebar room, Hamilton Road, South Hedland, Monday 2 May 10am - 2pm
• Kalgoorlie - Goldfields Arts Centre, 35 Cheetam Street, Tuesday 3 May 8:30 - 12pm
• Kalgoorlie - Goldfields Arts Centre, 35 Cheetam Street, Tuesday 3 May 1pm - 4:30pm
• Karratha - Red Earth Arts Precinct Studios, 27 Welcome Road, Tuesday 3 May, 10am - 2pm
• Bunbury - Southwest Italian Club, 13 White Street, Wednesday 4 May 10am - 2pm
• Carnarvon - Gwoonwardu Mia, 146 Robinson Street, Thursday 5 May 10am - 2pm
• Armadale - Champion Centre, 76 Champion Drive, Seville Grove, Thursday 5 May 10am - 2pm.

Click here to register.

Updated Guidelines for Close Contacts with No Symptoms

The State Government announced earlier this week that WA would be removing isolation requirements for close contacts with no symptoms under new protocols. Effective from 12:01 am, Friday 29 April, asymptomatic close contacts will no longer have to isolate for seven days provided they:

• Undertake daily Rapid Antigen Testing;
• Wear a mask outside the home;
• Avoid high-risk settings, including hospitals, health care settings, disability and aged care facilities and correctional facilities;
• Work from home, where possible;
• Avoid non-essential gatherings and contact with people at risk of severe illness; and
• Should notify their employer/educational facility of their close contact status.

If you develop symptoms, you can no longer leave home and must isolate yourself. If you test positive, you must follow the positive case rules - including the requirement to isolate for seven days.

Agriculture Visa Update - Labour Announces Policy Position

The Australian Labor Party today revealed its policy position on the Ag Visa and the Pacific Australian Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.

The plan was announced earlier this week by the Labor Party. It will see the Australian Agriculture Visa embedded as a visa class under the expanded PALM scheme and the Federal Government bearing the travel costs for Pacific workers under the Seasonal Worker Programme. It will also allow Pacific Labour Scheme participants to bring family members to live and work in Australia.

Click here to read the Labour Party's Plan.

For more coverage of the announcement, follow the links below.

• Labour's Ag Visa plan does not go far enough in securing workers (AUSVEG)
• Agriculture visa to be ditched, Labor says, looking to Pacific to fill worker shortage as election looms | (ABC Rural)
• Labor agriculture workforce shortage policy revealed in Pacific pitch | (Queensland Country Life)
• Labor to pay for Pacific workers’ travel to Australia | (The Weekly Times)

FEATURED ARTICLE
How to Stick to Your Goals - So Your Motivation Won't Fade

With another year in the rear-view mirror, it’s a great time to set new goals for the year and beyond. Fresh year, fresh start. But how can we ensure we will stick to our goals and our motivation won’t fade out? 

Read more

The National Farmers' Federation's Five Key Priorities

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has outlined five key priorities a future Government must deliver on day one of its National Conference in Canberra.

1. $4.1 billion for the establishment of 20 Regional Development Precincts;
2. A $2 billion fund to reward land managers who improve the health of their landscape;
3. A $5 billion Rural Telecommunications Fund to improve connectivity for remote Australians; 
4. The fast-tracking of discussions to lock in 10 Ag Visa partner countries;
5. Reform to competition law to protect farmers from unfair practices. 

The NFF also released the 'Time to Thrive' platform to an audience at the National Convention Centre and invites all stakeholders to share the Time to Thrive Election manifesto.

Click here to read the full media release.

FEATURED WEBINAR
Building Resilient Horticulture Supply Chains & Traceability Solutions

In this webinar, Leading Australian technology and service providers will discuss the benefits of integrating origin verification and IoT into horticulture supply chains. The webinar will also discuss growth opportunities in export markets and how provenance and traceability play an important part in this process.

The discussion will cover the benefits, details and barriers associated with these services and welcomes a Q&A discussion at the end. The discussion will be held within the context of typical supply chain risks and relevant events that have impacted horticulture supply chains to remain relevant.

Register here.

INDUSTRY NOTICES AND UPDATES

New Plant Export Industry Advice Notice

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) has released a new Industry Advice Notice (IAN), to advise industry that applications are required to export bananas, capsicum, papaya and sweetcorn to New Zealand for the 2022-23 season.

This applies where farm and packhouse accreditation is required when conducting in-field controls as a management option.

Click here for more information.

National Plant Biosecurity Strategy Released

The 2021-2031 National Plant Biosecurity Strategy (NPBS) was released this week, where Plant Health Australia (PHA) provides a framework to strengthen Australia’s plant biosecurity system over the next decade.

The second-generation strategy outlines four focus areas needed to build a resilient and contemporary national plant biosecurity system that will continue to support Australian plant industries, economy, environment and communities.

The strategy has been designed to inform investment across all aspects of the system, guide efforts to address the most important priorities and effectively manage current and future biosecurity challenges. The updated NPBS builds on the achievements of the 2010-2020 strategy while remaining agile and responsive to the changing biosecurity environment.

Read the full media release here.

Click here to find more information on Plant Health Australia's incursion management. 

We want your feedback – Ensure VegNET continues to meet your needs

The purpose of this survey is to seek feedback and input from vegetable growers, service providers and others who work in the industry, to ensure the national vegetable extension program, VegNET, continues to meet the needs of growers and industry.

The survey will be open for a period of three (3) months from April to June 2022 to allow maximum responses and ensure a representative cross-section of the industry is reached. To achieve this, the survey distribution will be staged across different regions to best suit seasonal conditions and avoid peak production times.

This is the first survey as part of VegNET Phase 3 and will be undertaken in years 1, 3 and 5 of delivery. Responses to this survey will remain confidential and no comments will be attributed to individuals.

This survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Complete the survey here or contact your Regional Development Officer, Michael Bartholomew on 0427 373 037, to complete the survey over the phone or in person. 

Grow Your Career in Horticulture as a Biosecurity Officer

Biosecurity is an important role in protecting Australian produce from exotic or local plant pests and disease.

While Australian Border control helps to prevent the incoming of many foreign pest and disease, it is important that biosecurity officers like Maddy can help to identify and contain outbreaks when they do occur.

This video is part of AUSVEG's Grow Your Career in Horticulture video series. Click here to view the series.