I rise tonight to speak about an issue that has become quite a problem in western New South Wales, including in my electorate of Parkes. That issue is the shortage of skilled workers. In the last season since the drought broke there has been a real shortage of people to do the job, mainly in…
I also rise to speak on the motion introduced to this House by the member for Gippsland. I note that the member for Gippsland is one of the true champions of environmental issues in this place and he comes from a practical background rather than some sort of philosophical position. It is important to note…
Mark Coulton (Parkes, National Party) I too rise to make some brief comments on this discussion paper. Indeed sometimes in this job as a member of parliament you get to a point where you think you have done something worthwhile as part of a team, and today is one of those occasions. One of the…
Mr COULTON (Parkes–The Nationals Chief Whip) (11:51): I acknowledge the previous speaker and thank her for the leniency she showed to me in the chamber last week-but that is as far as it goes! I am sorry the member for Parramatta has left. I could give her a quick history lesson. The member for Gippsland…
Mr COULTON (Parkes–The Nationals Chief Whip) (11:36): I rise to support the motion moved by the member for Dawson. I say at the outset that I am a little disappointed in my colleagues on the other side of the chamber. They seem to have misread the intention of this motion. The member for Dawson and…
Mr COULTON (Parkes–The Nationals Chief Whip) (09:37): I thank the member for Kingston for the segue into my statement, which is about the telecommunications survey that I have just undertaken in the Parkes electorate. In May I sent out a survey to every resident of the Parkes electorate asking them questions about the telecommunication services…
Mr COULTON (Parkes–The Nationals Chief Whip) (13:58): I rise to acknowledge a letter that I received from one of my constituents, Eliza Vail. Eliza is in fifth class at Dubbo South Public School and has written to me about her concerns regarding litter around her community. She believes that there should be stronger penalties for…
Mr COULTON (Parkes–The Nationals Chief Whip) (10:57): I too rise this morning to speak in support of this motion moved by the member for Cowper. I also acknowledge the contributions made by other members. It is important to note that 2012 is the International Year of the Cooperative and that there are over two million…
Mr COULTON (Parkes–The Nationals Chief Whip) (21:11): I too rise to speak on the motion introduced by the member for Kingston. I commend her on her valiant effort in failing health as she battled through her speech, perhaps in need of a little olive oil herself. While I completely agree with the sentiment of the…
Mr COULTON (Parkes–The Nationals Chief Whip) (10:27): Last night on its 7.30 program the ABC ran a very powerful piece, which I think is to be concluded tonight, about the village of Toomelah. Toomelah is a small Aboriginal community in the northern part of New South Wales at the top end of my electorate. Unfortunately,…