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5 years ago, the government doubled the dole – now it’s doubling down on poverty and punishment

Thursday 20 March marks 5 years since the Scott Morrison government raised income support by $275 per week. Overnight, it lifted nearly a million people over the poverty line – but later Morrison ripped away these supports, plunging people back into poverty.

On the same day this year, the Albanese government will increase JobSeeker by only the legislated indexation rate – a paltry $1.55 per week, leaving single JobSeeker recipients $220 below the poverty line.

News headlines say we’re in a cost of living crisis, but this is an unnatural crisis created by political cowardice: Poverty is a policy choice, and one that Parliament could overturn today.

Welfare recipients and advocates are holding a joint press conference at Parliament House on Thursday 20 March to mark this anniversary and share the simple policy solutions that could end poverty in Australia: increase payments, expand eligibility, and end the punishing and pointless system of “mutual” obligations.

For those who can’t make it to Canberra, there will also be a free online event on Monday 24 March at 7:30pm AEDT with Antipoverty Centre, Australian Unemployed Workers’ Union, Anti-Poverty Network Queensland, Anti-Poverty Network South Australia and Nobody Deserves Poverty.

Fiona Moore – Nobody Deserves Poverty; Disability Support Pension recipient:

“The coronavirus supplement in 2020 showed that governments can choose to lift people out of poverty overnight. With the supplement, people were happier and healthier – able to buy fresh fruit and vegetables and the medications they needed. Many were able to actually find work in this time without the added survival pressures of poverty. Keeping people in poverty is unnecessary, and subsidies are no substitute to giving people cash to support themselves.”

Brendan Folwell – Anti-Poverty Network South Australia:

“The COVID supplement was a wake-up call for our members who saw that a better life was possible with just a small increase to their welfare payments. Forcing people back below the poverty line was an act of cruelty that will not be forgotten any time soon.”

Avery Howard – Vice-President, Australian Unemployed Workers’ Union; JobSeeker recipient:

“With the fourth Budget from this Government being handed down next week, they have shown us time and time again that they are choosing to keep millions of us in poverty. The Supplement made it obvious that they can vastly alleviate poverty in Australia, but they are intentionally keeping us back in some misguided attempt at a ‘responsible budget’. There’s never anything responsible about trapping people in poverty.”

Kristin O’Connell – Co-coordinator, Antipoverty Centre; Disability Support Pension recipient:

“Five years on, when Centrelink payments feel more inadequate than ever, it is hard to think about the extraordinary outpouring of relief and joy when the JobSeeker payment was lifted to the poverty line, and the despair when it was ripped away. It is cruel and insulting for governments to insist every six months that the crumbs we receive through indexation are an ‘increase’, while our rent and bills go up faster than payments ever do.”

Jayden Oxton-White – Anti-Poverty Network Queensland; Disability Support Pension recipient:

“2020 was the first time in decades that we had a substantial raise to JobSeeker. This showed people that both major parties were well aware just how dire the situation is for people on income support payments. The fact that they then took it away further illustrates just how callous this colonial system is to those who are disenfranchised.”

Maiy Azize – Deputy Director, Anglicare Australia:

“Five years ago, the Government gave hope to hundreds of thousands of people when it raised the rate of JobSeeker and pulled them out of poverty. Lives were transformed, with many people being able to afford food and shelter – and plan for the future for the first time. It is all the more hurtful that we’ve gone so far backwards. The Government chose to end poverty once before. It can choose to do it again.”

Elise Klein OAM – Associate Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU:

“5 years ago, the Federal government showed how to end poverty in Australia. Today, rather than doing what we know works, the government chooses to inflict poverty on thousands of Australians. This is not necessary, make no mistake about it. Poverty in Australia is largely a government policy choice”.

EPA INVESTIGATING SUSPECTED CORELLA MASS POISONING IN NEWCASTLE

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is calling for the public’s help in its investigation into the suspected mass poisoning of hundreds of native Corella birds across multiple Newcastle suburbs, including Hamilton, Carrington, Waratah, Broadmeadow, Lambton, and near Newcastle University.

The EPA received initial reports on Monday 17 March 2025 of 14 sick and dead birds in Hamilton but by midday reports had escalated to hundreds of affected birds in Carrington and surrounding areas.

NSW EPA Executive Director of Regulatory Operations, Jason Gordon, said the EPA is investigating pesticide misuse as the possible cause based on EPA observations and advice from local veterinarians.

“This is a serious incident, and any assistance from the public could be critical to our investigation,” Mr Gordon said.

“This is a very distressing situation for everybody involved, particularly the wildlife carers and residents who are finding and collecting the birds as well as the vets who are treating them.

“The birds are exhibiting symptoms such as bleeding, staggering, paralysis, and an inability to fly and so far, we understand that veterinary clinics across Newcastle have reported over 200 bird deaths.

“We have collected samples for testing, and our officers will be visiting all sites where sick or dead birds have been found over the coming days. Anyone who thinks they may have information on how the birds have died or on potential pesticides misuse is strongly encouraged to call the EPA on 131 555.

“The misuse of pesticides, whether deliberate or unintentional, is completely unacceptable and carries heavy penalties. If you use pesticides, it is essential to follow label directions and be mindful of the surrounding environment and wildlife.”

Wildlife volunteers from Hunter Wildlife Rescue and WIRES, along with members of the public, have been assisting in the response and transporting sick birds to veterinary clinics. Members of the public should avoid handling affected wildlife.

The negligent use of pesticides in a manner that harms any non-target animal, or plant can attract penalties of up to $500,000 for an individual and $2,000,000 for a corporation.

Native Species Headed to Extinction due to Albanese Government

The ACT Greens have called on Labor Minister for the Environment Tanya Plibersek to revoke the Canberra Airport’s approval to build a 35 metre wide road which will bisect the habitat of critically endangered species and push the Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon further into extinction.

Deputy Leader of the ACT Greens Jo Clay said that despite the community’s best efforts, the Northern Road development at the Canberra Airport precinct will likely see one of the last three remaining dragon populations perish.

“Labor talks a big game to protect the environment with promises of no new extinctions under their watch. But when action is needed, they simply sit back, fold to developers and put our species and ecosystems at risk of extinction,” Ms Clay said.

“This road is not needed – I understand its main function is to serve as a private, VIP road for people like Dutton and Albo. It’s another example of Labor being more connected to the needs of developers and big corporations than everyday people and our planet.

“Across Australia there are very few patches of Natural Temperate Grassland the size of the area that the Northern Road will bisect. This road will fragment the population and could make one of our last three dragon populations extinct. How much more destruction must there be until Labor says enough is enough?”

In 2023, the former ACT Greens Environment Minister and community secured a commitment from Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to reconsider protections for the earless dragon before this road progresses.

“There has been no transparency or explanation from the Minister on why this work was allowed to commence. This site is critical for the dragon and other threatened species. She committed to no new extinctions but she is watching another happen all over again,” said Isabel Mudford, Greens candidate for Canberra.

“Tanya Plibersek must halt this project before the Federal caretaker period commences – otherwise we will see another species become extinct under hers and the Albanese Government’s watch.

”Our national environmental laws have been failing for years – Labor have thrown in the towel this term to fundamentally reform our systems.

“With Greens in the balance of power we can deliver environmental laws that prevent destructive developments like this one, and hold corporations to account for the damage they cause,” said Ms Mudford.

Background:

The Northern Road Development was granted approval in 2009 under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, subject to varied conditions. These conditions were set without any consultation with the ACT Government. A Grassland Earless Dragon Recovery Team was responsible for implementing a Recovery Plan at that time. They advised the road would have minimal impact on the population if it went around the core habitat area.
In 2023 the Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon was up-listed to ‘critically endangered’ – the last stop before extinction. The Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek committed to reconsider protections for the earless dragon before this road progresses.
The ACT Government 2024-25 budget included funding for emergency response measures to rescue the Canberra Earless Dragon from extinction.
Construction was first reported by the media on Monday 24 February 2025. In these articles, Canberra Airport Group are reported to have agreed to pause road construction.
Following news coverage, the ACT Greens contacted both Minister Plibersek’s office and the Canberra Airport Group on 25 February 2025. This was followed up with a formal letter to Minister Plibersek on Wednesday 5 March 2025. To date, there has been no response.
The ACT Greens formally wrote to the ACT Chief Minister and ACT Environment Minister on Sunday 2 March 2025 seeking urgent action to elevate the issue with their Federal counterparts and ensure the Canberra Airport Road does not make a species extinct.
The Australian Greens wrote to Minister Plibersek on Thursday 6 March 2025 calling for the Minister to intervene and revoke the road development.
The ACT Greens were alerted on Thursday 13 March 2025 that construction has recommenced on the road. Ms Clay visited the site and confirmed construction vehicles operating on Friday 14 March 2025.

Over to you, Tanya

The Greens have welcomed a historic breakthrough for better management of packaging waste and recycling in Australia, following today’s release of a joint statement from key industry groups in support of a mandatory product stewardship scheme for packaging by 2026.

The question is, will Labor act now?

Greens spokesperson for waste and recycling, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:

“Australia has missed plastic and waste reduction targets for decades because our self-regulated or voluntary system of reducing plastics simply does not work.

“Agreement between industry and environment groups for binding regulations on reducing packaging waste is an important and historic moment. Having the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) sign-on is especially significant.

“APCO has always been coy about publicly advocating for a mandatory product stewardship scheme, even though many of its members want stronger regulation from government. The organisation has been plagued by a handful of powerful packaging companies, retailers or brands that have refused to do the right thing in committing to national waste reduction and recycling targets.

“Successive governments have spent decades delaying action on legislating legally binding packaging reduction regulations, in the hope that big corporations will miraculously pick up their game. The polluters have had their chance to clean up their act and they haven’t.

“Tanya Plibersek threatened multiple times in this parliament that she would step in and regulate polluters if they couldn’t get their act together, but she has never followed through. In the dying days of this parliament there is an opportunity here for her to win some credibility back by finally introducing a mandated product stewardship scheme for packaging and soft plastics.”

CYCLONES AND HEATWAVES MUST BE WAKE UP CALL FOR LABOR AS GREENS PUSH LARGE SCALE CLIMATE ACTION PACKAGE

Today the Leader of the Victorian Greens Ellen Sandell has called for a large-scale home and community electrification package including extra rebates for batteries and solar panels, home insulation and the reinstatement of the community climate adaptation grants program, which was cancelled by the Victorian Labor Government.

Ms Sandell has called for this climate action package to be included in the upcoming Victorian State Budget, saying that the recent cyclone Alfred that hit Queensland and New South Wales needs to be a wake up call for all politicians that much more needs to be done to avert more climate disasters.

It comes as Victoria also just recorded its hottest summer on record, with many people forced to swelter in recurring heatwaves or face massive energy bills for running air conditioning.

Extreme weather events are costing billions of dollars as recent reports indicate that Cyclone Alfred has cost more than $1.2 billion of damage, people missing work and having their businesses forced shut by ongoing power outages.

The Victorian Greens say that we need to be doing more to prepare communities and prevent them from footing the bill of climate disasters, but instead Labor continues to burn coal and gas and has cut multiple climate programs.

Infrastructure Victoria just outlined that we’re behind on climate targets and the most recent data says that Victoria’s emissions have risen by 5%.

While Labor has cut the Community Climate Change Adaption Program, the battery rebate program, Home Heating and Cooling Program and reduced solar panel rebates as well as continuing to burn coal and gas.

The Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell said that the Victorian Government was not doing enough to prevent climate disasters or prepare communities for extreme weather – and that a large-scale cash-back program to move homes away from gas and install batteries and solar on Victorian homes would reduce energy bills as well as reduce emissions.

the Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell:

“Labor in Victoria has cancelled and cut multiple climate change programs while continuing to burn coal and gas which make climate change worse.”

“Communities shouldn’t have to continue to foot the bill for climate disasters while Labor governments cut climate programs and continue to burn coal and gas”

“We’ve just had the hottest summer in Victoria’s history and Cyclone Alfred wreaked havoc on NSW and Queensland, it’s not good enough for governments just to clean up after climate disasters, we need to prepare communities for the future and do everything we can to prevent future climate disasters by reducing our emissions now.”

“The Greens are calling on Labor to reinstate cash-back programs for home batteries, and increase rebates for home solar panels, so that people can afford to move away from expensive gas heating to reduce their emissions and their energy bills”

Greens call for Royal Commission to examine horrific practices in privatised childcare system

In light of Four Corners’ reporting overnight suggesting Australia’s early childhood education and care system is at breaking point, the Greens are urging the Government to set up a Royal Commission.

Investigative reporting from the ABC’s Four Corners program has highlighted a series of deeply troubling revelations including instances of serious abuse, staff misconduct, over-enrolment and other issues caused by a trend of putting profit over care. There is evidence that these issues may be systemic and occurring in centres across the country.

The Greens early childhood education spokesperson, Victorian Senator Steph Hodgins-May, says the Prime Minister cannot keep ignoring alarm bells, such as those identified in the Four Corners report, and must set out a clear roadmap to reform via a Royal Commission, similar to the one into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Greens early childhood education spokesperson, Senator Steph Hodgins-May:

“The Prime Minister can’t keep ignoring the alarm bells that are ringing so loudly within the childcare sector. It’s time for a serious overhaul.

“The Greens are urging the government to initiate a Royal Commission, like was done with the crisis in the aged care system, to make sure that every childcare centre in the country is operating safely for both the kids in care as well as the staff.

“The reports we know about are likely just the tip of the iceberg. A Royal Commission into privatised early childhood education would bring to light the extent of the problem, and help pave the way for reform.

“The current system is riddled with problems after years of neglect and marketisation of policy—it is too expensive, inaccessible and, at times, even harmful.

“Labor’s childcare subsidy encourages for-profit providers to minimise costs, increase fees and make greater returns often at the expense of our kids. It’s a broken system.

“The Greens believe in free universal education for all—right through from children to university—but we recognise a low-cost flat fee of $10 a day would be a significant improvement on the current approach.

“With more Greens in Parliament, we can fight for free, universal and high-quality early childhood education.”

Housing Delivery Authority delivers 15 more State Significant Developments

The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces has declared a further 15 housing proposals as State Significant Development (SSD) following recommendations from the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA).

These new housing proposals, if approved, could deliver more than 7,000 new homes.

After three briefings in two months a total of 44 housing development proposals have been declared state significant under the HDA, with the potential to deliver more than 22,000 new homes, once proposals are assessed.

Since the first meeting, nine projects have also had Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements issued, the first step in the assessment process which signals a good flow of projects progressing quickly along the SSD pathway.

To date, the Authority has received over 250 expressions of interest. At its latest meeting, 32 proposals were examined.

The authority is prioritising high-quality housing projects with detailed plans that can be submitted within nine months and can begin construction within 12 months of approval. To be declared state significant, proposals submitted to the HDA that are already being assessed via another planning pathway need to be withdrawn from that pathway.

All proposals declared as SSD will have their development applications assessed by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, without needing to be approved by councils. This can cut approval times and speed up the delivery of new homes.

This is all part of the Minns Government’s plan to build a better NSW with more homes and services, so young people, families and key local workers have somewhere to live and in the communities they choose.

The HDA builds on the Minns Government’s recent reforms to the planning system to speed up the delivery of more homes, including:

The development of the NSW Pattern Book and accelerated planning pathway for those who use the pre-approved patterns.
The largest rezoning in NSW history around transport hubs and shopping centres to address the “missing middle.”
The largest ever investment in the delivery of social and affordable housing in NSW.
$200 million in financial incentives for councils that meet the new expectations for development applications, planning proposals and strategic planning.
$450 million to build new apartments for essential workers including nurses, paramedics, teachers, allied health care workers, police officers and firefighters.

Recommendations from the HDA are published as required under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 before the SSD declaration. For more information visit Housing Delivery Authority | Planning.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“These latest projects that I have declared as State Significant Developments have the potential to deliver more than 7,000 new homes including affordable housing.

“The Housing Delivery Authority is not a silver bullet to our housing supply challenges, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction.

“In three briefings, I have declared projects that could deliver more than 22,000 dwellings into a state-assessed planning pathway, proponents now have nine months to prepares their planning documents, and must commence construction if they are approved within 12 months, because the need for housing is too urgent.”

New police wanding powers tackling knife crime across the state

The Minns Labor Government’s crackdown on knife crime has seen more than 90 dangerous weapons seized from our streets since the NSW Police Force began wanding operations in December.

The force has conducted 34 wanding operations across metro and regional NSW, scanning 4,147 individuals, seizing 91 unlawful weapons and charging 67 people with 71 weapons offences.

Weapons seized include knives, tasers, sling shots, knuckle dusters, machetes and folding kitchen knives.

Under Operation Ares, officers are conducting high-visibility policing operations and using handheld scanners or electronic metal detecting ‘wands’ to scan individuals within a designated area for dangerous weapons.

Locations of the operations include Sydney CBD, Liverpool, Campbelltown, Blacktown, Mt Druitt, Parramatta, Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Wollongong, Wagga Wagga, Nowra, Bomaderry, Albury and Lavington.

The Minns Labor Government has taken decisive action to give police further resources to create a safer NSW and send the clear message that knife crime will not be tolerated.

Under the powers, modelled on Queensland’s Jack’s Law, police can stop and scan individuals without a warrant at designated areas.

When switched on by NSW Police, the powers can be used in public spaces including public transport stations, shopping precincts, and certain sporting venues.

These police powers complement other measures introduced by this Government to address knife crime, including:

Doubling the penalty for selling a knife to a child under 16 to $11,000 and introducing a custodial sentence of up to 12 months for the offence; and
Creating a new offence for selling knives to children aged 16 or 17 without a reasonable excuse.

The NSW Government remains committed to reducing knife crime and building a safer NSW through continued legislative and operational policing efforts.

Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said:

“The number of weapons that have been seized already is shocking.

“To have taken almost 100 knives and other weapons off our streets is as horrifying as it is important.

“Our tough knife laws are working and getting weapons out of our community.

“The NSW Government and NSW Police are confronting knife crime and sending a strong message that it is not tolerated.”

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley said:

“Everybody deserves to feel and be safe in public and it’s clear that these new laws are making NSW a safer place.

“I want to thank the NSW Police who are working around the clock to seize dangerous weapons and keep our community safe from the devastating effects of knife crime.

“There are very few excuses to carry a knife in public – anyone thinking about leaving home with a dangerous weapon should think again. The NSW Police are cracking down hard and you will be caught.”

NSW Police Force Public Transport and Public Safety Command Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty said:

“During the 34 operations we have not only seized dangerous knives and weapons, but we have arrested 67 people with offences and put them before the courts.

“There are only very few purposes for anyone to have a knife in their possession in public. In most circumstances, it is illegal and will only lead to tragedy and the death of innocent people.

“We want people to feel and be safe while they go about their daily lives at shopping centres or on public transport.

“Our high-visibility operations are designed to send a message to people and deter them from carrying knives and weapons.”

NSW Government to crack down on practice of ‘claim farming’

The NSW Government will crack down on the predatory practice of ‘claim farming’ where vulnerable people are pressured to lodge compensation claims.Claim farmers often use unethical and high-pressure tactics to target those such as child abuse victim-survivors. The NSW Government is introducing the Claim Farming Practices Prohibition Bill 2025, to:

prohibit a person from contacting another person to solicit them to make a relevant claim
prohibit a person from buying or selling a relevant claim referral
prevent lawyers who are convicted of these offences from charging legal costs in relation to the claim, and to require them to refund any costs already received.

Claim farmers may obtain someone’s personal information without consent to make unsolicited contact and use high-pressure tactics such as harassment and intimidation. The practices used by claim farmers can cause distress to victim-survivors who are pressured to lodge civil compensation claims. Claim farmers charge referral fees to ‘sell’ the claim to a legal practice or another claim farming organisation. They often make promises about legal entitlements that may not be correct or in the claimant’s best interests. The bill will prohibit claim farming for personal injury claims under the Civil Liability Act 2002 and arising from intentional torts (intentional acts that result in injury or death). The Civil Liability Act 2002 applies to many types of claims, including serious injury, medical negligence, and public and product liability. Intentional torts cover acts such as child abuse, assault and deprivation of liberty. Existing offences such as fraud will still apply in addition to the claim farming bill. Dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception currently carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment. Prohibiting claim farming will not prevent abuse victims from bringing a claim for compensation, which can be done by contacting a lawyer directly. Attorney General Michael Daley said: “It’s abhorrent that individuals and organisations are seeking to profit off vulnerable people such as victim-survivors of child sexual abuse. “The NSW Government is listening to advocates who have called for a ban on this predatory and exploitative practice that worsens the trauma experienced by victim-survivors. “We have carefully consulted with the community and are moving to stop the harm inflicted by this egregious behaviour.”

Central West and southern NSW farmers big winners with $6.1 million to improve rural connectivity

As part of the NSW State and Federal Government’s plan to improve regional and rural connectivity farmers and families across the state’s central west will benefit from major upgrades with 17 new telecommunication towers set to be built across the region by the end of 2025.

Overall, the NSW Government and Australian Governments have provided up to $6.1 million to improve rural connectivity to around 1,500 premises across Weddin Shire, Burcher, Burra, Eumungerie, Glen Davis, Talbingo in the central west and Burra, Urila and Talbingo in southern NSW.

Improvements will be delivered through new services provided by YLess4U and Connected Farms, enabling farmers to access reliable communications and data directly from their paddocks, maximising productivity and saving time and money.

Primary producers and agricultural businesses are increasingly relying on the internet, with modern farming technology such as livestock monitoring, smart irrigation systems and wireless drone inspections for land surveying now being used alongside AgTech in tractors, headers and centre-pivot watering systems.

This new funding will allow growers in the Weddin Shire and surrounding areas to fully harness modern farming technology through improved coverage.

Currently, machinery programmed to sow seeds in a designated area across Weddin Shire farmland can only be configured using farm-office based computers with wired internet connections, as there are no reliable wireless options out on the farm.

In the Weddin Agriculture Precinct, Connected Farms will deliver a network providing mobile services and high speed fixed wireless broadband to more than 200 premises in Caragabal, Bribbaree, Piney Range and Pullabooka.

Dual SIM phones will allow locals to make calls and access mobile data via the Connected Farms network, while still accessing other mobile voice and data networks.

In addition to unlocking modern Agtech methods, locals and visitors alike will have improved access to emergency services during disasters and unexpected events.

In Burcher, Burra, Eumungerie, Glen Davis, Talbingo and Urila, telecommunications provider, YLess4U will deliver high speed fixed wireless broadband to premises providing locals farmers and their families with fast and reliable internet.

For more information on the latest Regional Connectivity Program, visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications-arts/internet/regional-connectivity-program

For information on co-funded regional NSW projects, visit www.nsw.gov.au/connectregionalNSW

Federal Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland

“Every Australian deserves access to fast, reliable and affordable connectivity regardless of whether they live.

“Since coming to office, the Albanese Government has been working to bridge the digital divide with a focus on regional New South Wales.

“These upgrades will make a meaningful difference to residents, local businesses and visitors to the Central West.

“Labor’s vision is for Australia to be the most connected continent, and we are working with the NSW Government and industry to deliver this.”

NSW Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty

“Residents in rural and regional areas deserve dependable telecommunications services to support their everyday needs and that is what this program is providing.

“Improved digital services is important for both the productivity of the farm business and for the daily logistical challenges of living in a rural area.

“Farmers and their families shouldn’t have to stand in the back yard waving their phones around to make a call.

“These upgrades will mean school children can easily contact their parents when the school bus drops them off at the farm gate.

co-founder and Growth Lead at Connected Farms Melissa Andrews

“These connectivity services will provide farmers with a platform to utilise the latest in real time digital and precision agricultural technologies across their farms to increase their operational efficiency,” Ms Andrews said.

”For many years, connectivity in many parts of Weddin Shire has been very limited and these services will also enable better communications and farm safety capability.”

YLess4U director Jason Green

“We’re proud to partner with the NSW Government as part of the Australian Government’s Regional Connectivity Program to deliver fixed wireless broadband services to over 900 homes and businesses across six communities in regional New South Wales,” Mr Green said.

“Once complete, residents and businesses will have access to faster, more reliable internet and a wide range of plans and pricing options, importantly at prices equivalent to those found in metropolitan areas.

Case study – Stuart McKellar

In the Weddin Shire, sheep and cropping farmer Stuart McKellar runs a large family operation alongside his wife, Cath, brother, Brett, and son, Scott.

Since the land was handed down from Stuart’s parents, the family have managed the farm together and as residents of rural Weddin Shire, they are all too familiar with the challenges brought on by the digital divide.

In 2023, when Stuart’s truck broke down 40 kilometres outside of Grenfell, he deliberately stopped the vehicle on a hill, knowing it was his only chance to get enough mobile reception to call for help.

When the mechanic arrived on-site, they realised that he would need to make five separate trips back into town to access the phone and internet coverage needed to diagnose the mechanical fault and get Stuart’s truck back on the road.

Unfortunately, these incidents aren’t the only way the digital divide affects Stuart and his family; it also impacts their daily sheep and cropping operations.

The business is forced to rely on paper-based vendor declarations and contracts because they lack the internet access required to download even low-megabyte digital resources.

Poor connectivity makes it hard for farmers to use modern tools like Variable Rate (VR) fertiliser tech, which usually lets them upload field data, like soil tests, straight from their tractor.

Without internet in the field, Stuart is forced to return to the home office to upload the required data and make adjustments before getting back to spreading fertiliser where it’s needed most.

This slows things down and means they can’t always make the best use of expensive inputs like lime and gypsum, or maximise crop growth efficiently.

Once the Connected Farms service becomes available in the area, challenges like Stuart’s will soon become a thing of the past and residents will finally have access to reliable mobile phone reception and metropolitan-grade internet, whether during car breakdowns or for everyday farming needs.

Weddin Shire farmer Stuart McKellar said:

“Connectivity has always been very poor around here and our dependence on data is getting greater and greater,” Mr McKellar said.

“Accidents often happen where there is no service, and that improved connectivity would not only make residents’ day-to-day lives easier but would increase farm safety across the shire.

“I recently broke down 40 kilometres from Grenfell and the mechanic had to make five trips out from town to fix the issue as we couldn’t get data out at the worksite. It’s an awful lot of travelling and time wasted and if we had decent internet connection, it would have been a simple fix.

“Currently, your phone will only work near a certain tree or on a hill, we have to use a paper-based vendor declaration because electronic ones won’t load, and we rely on internet in the home office to do simple things like searching the weather forecast.

“Any AgTech field adjustments that need to be done on farm machinery must be done on the house computer too – our farm is spread out across 30 kilometres so when you go out to the field and realise what you’ve preplanned is wrong, you have to take it back to the home office, where the internet is, to make the necessary adjustments.

“Once we have reliable coverage, it’ll be a big time saving and big benefit if we can make those adjustments on the spot.”