The National Farmers’ Federation is urging policymakers to prioritize long-term workforce sustainability, highlighting the critical need for unskilled and semi-skilled labor alongside targeted skilled migration to support regional producers.
Politics
Subsidy to help local students visit parliament
Primary and secondary schools in the New England are being encouraged to include a visit to the NSW Parliament as part of their 2026 excursion calendar.
New year brings cheaper medicines, higher energy bills
A cut to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme co-payment will slash the cost of medicines but Australians face higher power bills in 2026.
AI poster advertising Joyce at Tamworth rally fake
Anonymous posts in local Facebook groups promoting an appearance by Member for New England Barnaby Joyce at an unauthorised political rally, this time in Tamworth, have been quickly deleted.
Coulda, shoulda, woulda stories of 2025
$400,000 for something that doesn’t exist, the secret NSW Health doesn’t want to tell you, and why new roads are falling apart faster than old ones… here’s three of the biggest stories we couldn’t tell you in 2025.
NSW Government issues urgent plea to motorists to drive safely throughout summer holidays: Double demerits in force
The State Government has issued an urgent plea for motorists to drive safely ahead of the busy holiday period, as traffic volumes increase across New South Wales and double demerits come into force.
NSW RFS ‘red fleet’ ownership delayed by bureacracy
NSW councils hoping for a swift resolution to long running ownership issues surrounding the Rural Fire Service Red Fleet have been left disappointed with the NSW Government’s response to a parliamentary inquiry.
Local councils ready for further phase out of single use plastics
Local councils across the New England are preparing for the next phase of single use plastic phase outs, as the NSW Government moves to further reduce plastic waste under the NSW Plastics Plan 2.0.
Christmas comes early for safe drivers
Safe drivers and motorcyclists across New South Wales are set to receive an early Christmas present, with the NSW Government announcing the Demerit Point Reward Program will be made permanent.
New road categorisation system a win for councils
Local councils across the New England can look forward to a smoother ride ahead, with the NSW Government unveiling a new, modern road recategorisation system
