Feds Welcomes Labour Party Support For Sharemilking Law Review
Federated Farmers says it welcomes Labour's commitment to reviewing the Sharemilking Agreements Act, calling on other major parties to do the same.
Labour Party Leader Chris Hipkins has announced a reshuffle of the party's caucus portfolios.
The reshuffle was announced two weeks before two new list MPs - Dan Rosewarne and Georgie Dansey - are sworn in.
Hipkins says the refreshed portfolios ensure the team will "hit the ground running" at the election in November.
Rosewarne, a former captain in the New Zealand army, picks up the Rural Communities portfolio previously held by Jo Luxton.
Earlier this week, it was announced Rosewarne would run in the Waimakiri district at the November 2026 election. He has previously lost the seat three times.
He entered Parliament in June 2022 as a list MP following the resignation of Kris Faafoi but was placed too far down the Labour Party's list at the 2023 election to retain the position.
Luxton retains the Agriculture and Biosecurity portfolios and picks up the Customs portfolio.
Former Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor picks up the Defence portfolio.
Meanwhile, Willow-Jean Prime will lose her education portfolio, which goes to former Police Minister Ginny Andersen. Prime will instead become spokesperson for Social Development and Employment.
Hipkins says that portfolio "requires care, empathy, and a strong focus on improving outcomes for New Zealanders".
“New Zealanders are looking for a government that’s focused on the issues that matter - the cost of living, jobs, health and homes. Our team is energised, experienced, and ready to govern,” Hipkins concludes.
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) and Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network are calling for investment in a proposed new training pathway for rural GPs, warning that many rural practices are struggling to recruit while a large share of the existing workforce nears retirement.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Synlait has swung to second-half profit as operations stabilise, but the dairy processor still posted a $75.4m annual loss.
LIC shareholders have elected a new North Island representative to the co-operative's Board, along with five representatives to its Shareholder Reference Group (SRG), following the company's Annual Meeting held in Invercargill.
Farmers across parts of Southland and South Otago are continuing to deal with difficult conditions after a prolonged run of wet weather, with pressure building around feed supply, stock management, pasture damage, farm infrastructure and everyday workloads.
Federated Farmers says it welcomes Labour's commitment to reviewing the Sharemilking Agreements Act, calling on other major parties to do the same.

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