Exorbitant fares, late cancellations and airports running at a loss. Regional Capitals Australia has told a Senate inquiry the system is broken, and it wants a $200 million fix.
RK Crosby
RK Crosby is a broadcaster, journalist and pollster, and publisher of the New England Times.
Posted inAgribusiness, Agriculture, Local News
Farmers welcome confidence rebound, but new cost pressures loom
Farmer confidence is bouncing back, but rising fuel and fertiliser costs, diesel security fears and a backpacker visa freeze could put that recovery at risk.
Posted inIndigenous, NSW Politics
Crown land reforms pass NSW Parliament after land rights fight
NSW Parliament has passed sweeping Crown land reforms, but only after last minute amendments to address Aboriginal land council concerns over 44,000 unresolved land claims.
Posted inCrime, Legal, Tamworth
Man charged after West Tamworth road rage crash
A parked-car argument, an alleged pursuit through West Tamworth streets, and a ute crashing into a home. A 43-year-old man now faces five charges.
Posted inCrime, Domestic Violence, Mole River
Man charged with murder after body found at Mole River
A man has been charged with murder after a woman’s body was found at a fire-damaged Mole River property following a reported domestic violence incident.
Posted inAccidents and road closures, Federal Politics, Roads and Infrastructure
Nationals slam Federal road toll data
882 lives lost on Australian roads so far this year. The federal Coalition says it is the worst result since governments vowed to halve the road toll, and Labor still has no plan to replace.
Posted inArmidale, Sport, Sport and fitness events, Youth
Are you the next Makuach Maluach or Gout Gout? Sporting talent hunt for Armidale’s multicultural youth
Armidale teens from Ezidi, Congolese and other multicultural backgrounds get their shot at being scouted next week, home schoolers included, as NIAS brings its Talent ID Day to SportUNE.
Posted inArmidale, Federal Politics, Immigration, Long Read
Demographic bulimia: why immigration is a stuck-in-the-muck issue
Labor, the Coalition and One Nation all say they want fewer migrants. Australia’s economy, its farms and its own refugee-resettlement towns all need more of them. It’s a clash between electoral populism and policy reality with no solution.
Posted inGunnedah Shire, Local politics and councils
Deputy mayor under fire for ‘working mum’ remarks
New deputy mayor Rob Hooke says his predecessor couldn’t do the job because she’s a “working mum”. She’s hit back, and revealed the real reason she stepped aside.
Posted inFundraiser, Grants and funding, Health, Youth
Push to lower Young Australian of the Year age after Dusty’s Canberra walk
A 12-year-old walked 540km to Canberra for sick country kids, and came home with $2 million and a push to change the rules for Young Australian of the Year.