I was very concerned to hear of Labor’s announcement that they intend to introduce an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and use Commonwealth legislation to reinstate native vegetation laws and restrict land clearing if elected to Government at this year’s Federal election. Labor’s intention to introduce an ETS represents yet another new Labor tax on hardworking…
Anzac Day always prompts us to take a moment to remember those who have served our country and the price they have paid, sometimes with their health and wellbeing, and in many cases with their lives. I attended the Kokoda Barracks in Dubbo a couple of weeks ago to look at the refurbishment of war…
It is very welcome news that when Federal Parliament returns this week, the Coalition Government will introduce two bills to abolish the Gillard Government's Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) and provide certainty to numerous small business owner-drivers across Australia. The RSRT has set a controversial minimum rates order that industry groups, farmers and truck drivers…
I welcome the Commonwealth-State joint-funding announcement of $2.59 million in projects to help better protect New South Wales (NSW) communities from the threat of bush fire. This funding commitment will contribute $300,000 to the NSW Rural Fire Service for aerial firefighting supply tanks in the Warrumbungle, Moree Plains, Narromine, Gwydir and Narrabri local government areas.…
With state Premiers in Canberra for the latest Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting, the states and territories agreed to sweeping reforms to country of origin food labelling which will give Australian consumers clearer and more meaningful information about the products they buy. This agreement comes after decades of frustration on the part of consumers…
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s announcement to recall Parliament from 18 April has certainly attracted some attention over recent days. The Prime Minister has made this decision in order to provide the Senate with ample opportunity to consider and pass what is known as the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) Bill and the Registered Organisations…
Following extensive sittings of Federal Parliament in Canberra and hours of debate, the Government’s Senate voting reform bill has finally passed through the Parliament. These reforms were vital and are designed to empower voters to have their preferences reflected in any Senate election, by improving the transparency of Senate voting arrangements. The reforms include the…
Over the past few months I have been contacted by many constituents from across the federal electorate of Parkes expressing their concerns about the future direction of superannuation in Australia. The Federal Government recognises that superannuation is, by its nature, a long-term investment and considers it important that people have sufficient confidence in the system…
As someone who currently represents a third of rural and regional NSW, I understand how valuable local news services are to my constituents. They not only keep locals informed but also tell the stories of our regional communities. Because of this I welcome the most significant changes to media laws in a generation that…
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has announced that this year’s federal election will be conducted on new House of Representatives electoral divisions in New South Wales (NSW). This announcement has confirmed that the federal electorate of Parkes will increase in size from 256,000 square kilometres to approximately 400,000 square kilometres. This means that…