IMAGE: Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Agriculture Minister David Littleproud pictured at rams sales.

Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Agriculture Minister David Littleproud is calling on Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Agriculture Minister Murray Watt to investigate supermarket meat sale prices. 

Mr Littleproud said Treasurer Chalmers and Minister Watt must urgently direct the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to hold a price inquiry. 

“According to Meat and Livestock Australia, some sheep and lamb categories have fallen by up to 70 per cent in the saleyards in the last 12 months,” Mr Littleproud said. 

“Lamb prices have drastically reduced and cattle prices have fallen by about 60 per cent. Yet families at the supermarkets have barely noticed a difference in prices.” 

While a farmer’s payment for cattle (eastern young cattle indicator) has fallen from $10.21 per kilo to just $3.65 per kilo over the past 12 months, at the supermarket it still costs around $36 per kilo for grass-fed rump steak, $25 per kilo for beef rump roast and $19 for a kilo of grass-fed beef mince. 

A farmer’s payment for lamb (national trade price) has fallen from $8.39 per kilo to $4.82 per kilo, yet families at the supermarket are paying $27 for a kilo of grass-fed graze lamb boneless shoulder roast, $18 for one kilo of lamb loin chops and $8 per kilo of lamb leg roast. 

A competition task force recently established by Labor, to conduct a review of competition policy settings over a two-year period, failed to provide the urgent response that families and farmers required. 

“This is impacting family budgets right now. It needs an urgent response because families and farmers can’t afford to wait potentially two years for answers. 

“Many families are struggling to afford their grocery bill each week so it’s important the government acts swiftly to ensure there’s transparency in meat prices.” 

IMAGE: Forbes Garden Club will be having a break and will be looking forward to the next meeting which will be our AGM in February 2024.

Our final Garden Club meeting for the year was held in the garden at the home of Kingsley and Helen Green. A beautiful garden of trees shrubs and more recently sculptures made by Kingsley Helen gave us an outline of years spent experimenting with different gardens and plants to suit the climate and over the years have seen many changes President Elvy welcomed 23 members to the meeting as well as visitors Angela Dent and Lorraine Everest Therese Davis read the minutes of the previous meeting Correspondence was a thank you from the Arts Society.

Annie Mooy gave us a comprehensive treasurers report announcing she will not be nominating for the position next year. Elvy said she was “delighted with the two day open gardens recently held with eight gardens open for inspection”. There were many visitors who came from local and regional towns and enjoyed the opportunity to wander around. Each raising money for their designated charity. 

Our members were encouraged to vote for a charity. as it was decided to donate the $3000 to different charities following such a successful year. 

This Saturday November 11th at 12pm we will be celebrating 70 years of the Forbes Garden Club at the Town Hall Members will be enjoying a 2 course dinner with a special guest Sue Mowle from Gardening Australia catered for by Eat Your Greens We hope you have all bought your tickets for this special event 

Green Thumb 

George Barnes has been named the number one worker who has organised and run the greatest number craft groups in Australia. Working locally to implement the Bunnings Community Involvement Program, George has been guiding, instructing and entertaining multiple craft groups from Forbes, Parkes, Eugowra, West Wyalong, Peak Hill and Lake Cargelligo. He visits these groups once a month bringing with him all the tools and equipment necessary to make a crafty project. 

Mr Barnes commented that “over the last year I have instructed thirteen groups per month”. This number, approximately 3 groups per week, makes him number one in the country for providing the most activities and inspiring community groups to get busy. 

Groups at the local HAC centres, CWA and numerous other community groups in these communities have benefitted greatly from his commitment and passion He has provided the opportunity for members to experience the making of different craft projects such as making teddy bears, wooden toy trucks and cars, designing art and drawings, wooden jewellery boxes, tips on planting and how to looking after various flowers and herbs, dot art and much more. His enthusiasm for this type of community involvement makes the learning experience and social outings for many people an event to look forward to. 

George said, “It is a privilege to run these groups as I not only get to meet different people, but I also gets to do something fun and rewarding.” 

Sustainability groups at the local Pre-schools and Public Schools, where students learn about the environment and how to look after it, is also part of the Community Involvement Program which George implements.