Hancock Prospecting, Woolworths and Toyota Australia Back News Australia’s 2026 National Bush Summit
June 02, 2026
Hancock Prospecting, Woolworths and Toyota Australia are backing News Australia’s 2026 National Bush Summit this August. Hancock Prospecting and its S. Kidman and Co business return as National Presenting Partner for the fourth consecutive year, Woolworths is back as naming rights sponsor of the Bush Champions awards program, and Toyota Australia returns as official supporter of the Bush Summit Road Trip.
The Prime Minister will attend the Summit in Dubbo on August 27, joined by State and Territory leaders from across the country. The Summit unites decision-makers, business leaders, community advocates and policymakers in a national conversation about the future of regional and rural Australia.
News Corp Australasia Executive Chairman Michael Miller said: “Returning to Dubbo where the very first Bush Summit was held in 2019 with the Prime Minister and senior leaders present is an important moment for regional Australia. The continued support of Hancock Prospecting, Woolworths and Toyota Australia speaks to the genuine impact this platform delivers. Together we are ensuring the conversations that matter most to regional communities are heard at the highest levels.”
Hancock Prospecting and S. Kidman Executive Chairman Gina Rinehart said: “The Bush Summit is important because our fantastic farmers and pastoralists, and regional Australians are truly struggling with rising taxes, endless government tape and bad energy policies that are driving up costs and destroying prime farm land and making it harder and harder to provide for their families, invest, employ, and survive.”
Woolworths Bush Champions
Nominations open today for the Woolworths Bush Champions, recognising the best of regional Australia across three categories: Young Champion, Agricultural Champion and Community Champion. Winners will be announced at the Bush Summit dinner in Dubbo on August 26, with the Prime Minister in attendance.
Toyota Road Trip
Toyota Australia is backing the National Bush Summit Road Trip, with News Australia’s celebrated cartoonist and adventurer Warren Brown and senior journalist Patrick Carlyon hitting the road in a Toyota HiLux to travel through regional communities ahead of the Summit. They will bring the stories, voices and spirit of the bush to life across all News Australia platforms, setting the agenda in the weeks leading up to Dubbo.
Have Your Say
The Have Your Say survey launches today, giving Australians the opportunity to shape the Summit agenda and contribute to the national conversation on regional Australia. Live across News Australia’s State and Communities mastheads including The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, The Courier-Mail, The Advertiser, NT News, The Weekly Times, Townsville Bulletin, The Mercury, Cairns Post, Gold Coast Bulletin, The Chronicle, and Geelong Advertiser, the survey invites Australians to share their views on the issues facing regional and rural communities.
Sky News Australia
Sky News Australia returns as the broadcast partner of the 2026 National Bush Summit. In the weeks leading up to the event, a weekly segment will take cameras into regional towns across the country, bringing the stories of the bush to a national audience. On August 27, the Summit will be broadcast live across Sky News, Sky News Extra and Sky News Regional, and streamed via SkyNews.com.au
