National Wastewater Drug Monitoring report to help flush out the crooks I welcome the release of the first National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program Report which will change the way our nation fights the scourge of ice. The Coalition Government provided the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) with a $3.6 million boost to detect ice hotspots,…
Already 800 submissions have been received for the new www.getoutofthecity.com.au campaign. The Senate inquiry was launched to put a stop to The Nationals’ plan of decentralisation. Regional Australians must tell city-based politicians why they need jobs and adding to the firepower from the bush is the Country Women’s Association calling for regional Australians to make…
I would like to urge regional Australians to have their say on plans to decentralise more government offices and agencies to country Australia as part of The Nationals plan to boost job opportunities in the bush. With the launch of the new Get out of the City Campaign (getoutofthecity.com.au), which aims to drive submissions from…
Natural disasters have hit the Parkes electorate on many occasions, but the recent bushfires in the Narrabri and Warrumbungle local government areas have been particularly devastating. Scorching temperatures across the electorate and other parts of New South Wales culminated in a number of fires breaking out across the State on Sunday 12th February. At Boggabri,…
Natural disasters have hit the Parkes electorate on many occasions, but the recent bushfires in the Narrabri and Warrumbungle local government areas have been particularly devastating. Scorching temperatures across the electorate and other parts of New South Wales culminated in a number of fires breaking out across the State on Sunday 12th February. At Boggabri,…
Changes to Coalition Ministerial Arrangements Last week, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced changes to the Coalition Ministry that he will be recommending to His Excellency the Governor General. I take this opportunity to congratulate Greg Hunt who will become the Minister for Health and Minister for Sport. I also congratulate Ken Wyatt, who will become…
Shining a spotlight on small business payment terms Payment terms and times for local small businesses are currently in the spotlight, thanks to an Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Inquiry. As I travel around my electorate and meet with local small businesses, I hear that cash-flow and payment terms are among the biggest…
Productivity Commission study into regional economies Last week it was announced that the Productivity Commission will undertake a study into regional economies. With our national economy’s transition away from the resources-led boom towards broader-based growth, we are seeing different challenges and opportunities for Australia’s regions. This study will help to determine how well different regions…
Broken Hill office open to the public I was very pleased to open the doors of my Broken Hill office to residents of Far West New South Wales (NSW) last week. The office is being looked after by two new staff members. They are Broken Hill residents who, along with the staff in my other…
Backpacker tax breakthrough The final sitting of Federal Parliament saw the Coalition Government deliver on some of its key promises including the so-called backpacker tax that passed through both Houses of Parliament late last Thursday evening. This tax will give certainty to those sections of rural and regional businesses that rely on backpackers, commencing in…