Working Holiday Maker visa changes raise concerns for cotton workforce

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Cotton Australia

Cotton Matters

Matt Linnegar
 

Cotton Australia appoints Matt Linnegar as new General Manager 

Cotton Australia has appointed Matt Linnegar as its new General Manager to succeed long-serving General Manager Michael Murray who is retiring in November after 16 years with the organisation. 

Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay said Mr Linnegar brings more than three decades of experience across agriculture, leadership, advocacy, water policy and stakeholder engagement, making him exceptionally well-placed to lead the organisation into its next chapter. 

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Latest News

 
irrigation

Submission to the Independent Review of the Water Act 2007 

Cotton Australia has made a submission to the Independent Review of the Water Act 2007, calling for the next phase of water reform to focus on getting better results from the system we already have, rather than another round of major changes or taking more water out of agricultural production.

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Working holidat visa employees make up a large portion of seasonal ginning staff

Working Holiday Maker visa changes raise concerns for cotton workforce

The National Farmers' Federation has recently received advice from the Australian Government regarding forthcoming changes to the Working Holiday Maker visa program that may impact the availability and timing of seasonal workers across agriculture. With Working Holiday Makers an important source of seasonal labour for cotton, Cotton Australia Chair Liz Stott has joined other peak industry body leaders in calling for greater clarity and consultation on the changes.

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Toowoomba Financial skills workshop

Workshop helps young Darling Downs growers strengthen financial skills 

A group of young cotton growers from the Darling Downs have strengthened their financial management skills following a two-day workshop in Toowoomba. Coordinated by Cotton Australia, the Financial Skills Workshop brought together 13 young growers for practical training in measuring financial performance, gross margin analysis and cash flow budgeting. 

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Northern Australia panel at the Australian Cotton Connference

Australian Cotton Conference Panel: Northern Australia's Potential 

Cotton’s potential in northern Australia is becoming clearer as growers build experience from Far North Queensland to the Northern Territory and across to the Ord. That was the focus of the ‘Cotton’s Newest Frontier: Northern Australia’s Potential’ panel at the Australian Cotton Conference. 

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AFCL visit salvos textile recovery

Australian Future Cotton Leaders visit Salvos textile recovery facility

As part of the Future Cotton Leaders program, participants recently had the opportunity to step beyond the farm and visit the Salvos Stores Textile Recovery Facility just outside Brisbane. For many of the Future Cotton Leaders, their work is focused on the beginning of the textile supply chain, growing the fibre.

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Rebecca Scurr

Growers encouraged to use social media to share cotton story

Australian cotton has a strong story to tell – but how do we make sure it reaches people beyond the farm gate? That was the focus of Cotton Australia’s social media workshop at the Australian Cotton Conference recently, which explored how growers and industry advocates can use online platforms to build trust, reach new audiences and share the real story of cotton.

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Solar on Farm.

More opportunities for solar on farm

From 1 October 2026, the federal solar rebate is expected to become available for solar systems up to 1 megawatt (MW), up from the current 100 kilowatt (kW) limit. The government estimates the rebate will reduce the cost of eligible systems by around 20 per cent. This could mean a saving of about $68,000 on a 250 kW system and $136,000 on a 500 kW system.

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Crayfish release upper namoi 2026

Applications are now open for CRDC Grassroots Grants

Applications are now open for CRDC Grassroots Grants, with up to $10,000 available to Cotton Grower Associations for projects that engage growers, address regional challenges and build skills, knowledge and networks. Since 2011, the program has supported 102 projects with more than $890,000 in funding across Australia’s cotton-growing valleys.

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News in Brief

Telemetry subsidy available for Queensland growers 

Irrigators with a licence to take unsupplemented surface water in specified Queensland Murray-Darling Basin water management areas must have an approved telemetry device connected to their water meter by December 2026. 

Subsidies for telemetry are available for eligible irrigators in the Balonne and Condamine Water Management Areas. 

Find out more
 

CA welcomes RIDA protections in critical minerals legislation

The Queensland Government recently passed the State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026. The Bill featured amendments called for by Cotton Australia and the Queensland Farmers' Federation (QFF) to protect the rights of Queensland farmers and the state’s prime agricultural land.

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The Australian Future Cotton Leaders Program

2026 Future Cotton leaders

The Australian Future Cotton Leaders Program: 2026 cohort share their insights

The 2026 cohort of Australian Future Cotton Leaders Program featured 17 participants from across the cotton supply chain, including growers, agronomists, consultants and merchants. Since its inception in 2006 the program has produced over 140 graduates.

 
 
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P: 02 9669 5222    |    E:  talktous@cotton.org.au

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