Growing agricultural productivity The future of Australian agriculture, associated jobs and the economy is being supported through the Government’s investment in productivity and growth in this year’s Budget. I welcome the funding to boost agricultural productivity, as an essential part of the sector reaching its potential. The Government sees a bright future for Aussie agriculture, but there is much more hard work…
Funding for essential health and mental health programmes The Coalition Government will provide support for three essential health and mental health programmes that will benefit many people in the electorate of Parkes. The Government will provide the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine to every pregnant woman in the country, protecting both baby and mother from this life-threatening disease. The $39.5…
Men’s Sheds helping men to stay healthy Men’s Sheds in the electorate of Parkes are helping men to stay healthy and strong in every way. The many sheds around the electorate offer a friendly welcoming environment where men can connect with each other without pressure and as Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Men’s Sheds, I…
Helping Older Australians into work The Coalition Government has announced two organisations that will help mature-age people in the Central West region of New South Wales who are looking for work or preparing for a new career path. The Career Transition Assistance (CTA) program will help older workers become more competitive in their local labour…
Independent Review into Regional, Rural and Remote Education The Coalition Government has released an extensive report to guide efforts to overcome the educational divide between capital cities and regional and rural areas. The final report of the Independent Review into Regional, Rural and Remote Education, led by Emeritus Professor Dr John Halsey will help ensure regional and…
Independent Inquiry into the system of Compensation and rehabilitation for veterans The Coalition Government has announced a Productivity Commission inquiry into the system of compensation and rehabilitation for veterans. The Commission is the Government's independent research and advisory body on a range of issues affecting the welfare of Australians. This inquiry will examine whether the system…
Tackling homelessness in the electorate of Parkes Young people at risk of homelessness in the electorate of Parkes will receive greater support through increased Government funding. The Coalition Government has provided up to $1,282,079 to Reconnect services in the electorate. Reconnect provides support and assistance to young people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Reconnect services will help stabilise the…
New regulatory powers and lower NBN prices delivering better broadband for consumers New consumer protection, greater transparency and lower wholesale prices are delivering an improved experience for users on the National Broadband Network (NBN). The Australian Communications and Media Authority [ACMA] released new rules to stop the handballing of complaints between telcos and nbn, giving…
4.7 million Australians to benefit from indexation Around 4.7 million pension and allowance recipients will receive an increase to their welfare payments from 20 March. The increases will help pensioners and allowance recipients to keep up with increases in living costs. From 20 March, pension payments including Age Pension and Disability Support Pension will increase…
100,000 more Australians move off welfare and into work More than 100,000 of the most disadvantaged Australians – many of them long-term unemployed welfare recipients – have gained a job through the Nationals-Liberal Government’s wage subsidy program since 2015. Wage subsidies are supporting businesses to give vital work opportunities to Australians facing disadvantage. The best…