FULL SHOW 26th MARCH 2026

Rural Queensland Today, hosted by Ben Dobbin on 26th March 2026, opens with a return after technical difficulties, setting a tone of urgency and frustration. The episode centers on two major crises: the fallout from the EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement, which agricultural leaders like Josie Angus and the NFF condemn as a catastrophic failure that undermines Australian beef and dairy producers, and a worsening fuel crisis driving up costs for farmers, transporters, and rural communities. Josie Angus delivers a fiery critique of the trade deal, exposing misleading statistics and calling out the government for surrendering valuable market access without reciprocal benefits. Meanwhile, Darren Lee from the Whitsundays shares his family’s distress over proposed wind farms just 1.5km from their home, highlighting community outrage, lack of meaningful consultation, and the urgent need for stronger developer codes and decommissioning safeguards. The episode also features Ken Mills Machinery’s pledge to absorb fuel cost increases and offer 10% discounts on services through April, a rare example of industry solidarity. In a powerful segment, Member for Gregory Sean Dillon warns of a national fuel emergency, stressing that regional Queensland is being left behind despite the federal government’s delayed response, and calls for immediate national coordination, price caps, and accountability to prevent economic collapse. The episode closes with a somber reflection on the fragility of rural livelihoods in the face of policy failures and global shocks. Key takeaways include: 1) The EU trade deal delivers far less than promised and risks long-term damage to Australia’s red meat and dairy sectors; 2) Wind farm proposals must be subject to stronger community safeguards, including 3km setbacks and enforceable decommissioning plans; 3) Rural businesses need immediate, coordinated federal support to manage soaring fuel costs; 4) Industry leaders must lead with empathy and shared sacrifice, as demonstrated by Ken Mills Machinery’s initiative; 5) Regional communities are being left behind in national crises, demanding urgent, targeted intervention; 6) Transparency and accountability are essential to prevent price gouging; 7) Long-term energy and resource security require state-led exploration and processing, but cannot replace immediate crisis response; 8) Community-led advocacy, like Darren Lee’s 6,500-signature petition, is a powerful tool for change.