Renewable energy was on the agenda again in Parliament last week, with the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment Bill up for debate. The proposed legislative amendments contained in the bill restore some balance in the Renewable Energy Target (RET) Scheme. They also bring the RET back to a more achievable level. Renewable energy plays an…
Last week in Canberra, I had the pleasure of meeting the students from the current Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD) program. During their visit to Parliament House, the students were treated to a special meeting with Prime Minister, the Hon Tony Abbott MP. The students also met with some of my other…
There has been a significant amount of discussion in the community of late around the growing use of crystal methamphetamine, known as ‘ice’. Last week, Assistant Minister for Health, Senator The Hon Fiona Nash, visited Dubbo where she undertook a community consultation with local professionals and organisations involved with tackling drug and alcohol issues across…
Last week was a big one in Canberra with the Coalition Government handing down its second Budget. This Budget has been carefully considered, is appropriate for our economic times and has been designed to be a real shot in the arm for rural and regional Australia. The people of the Parkes electorate face a…
As we move through the 2015 Federal budget week, I believe it is important to reflect on last year’s budget and consider how this year will be different. Last year’s budget was tough, responding to a lot of hard decisions that needed to be made. As difficult as it was, last year’s budget was also…
This week I had the pleasure of officially opening the new and improved Trangie-Nevertire Irrigation Scheme. The opening took place on the Macquarie River at Gin Gin and represented more than half a decade of hard work by the Scheme board and members. The scheme will provide long-term water efficiency and crop productivity gains for…
Tax-deductible donations to hundreds of environmental groups will be scrutinised in a new inquiry by a Federal Government House of Representatives Environment Committee. The committee has launched an inquiry into the administration, transparency and effectiveness of the Register of Environmental Organisations (the Register) in supporting practical action to improve the environment. The committee looks forward…
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a Federal MP is meeting and working with inspirational people. Recently I had the privilege of becoming the first supporter to sign up to Kelly Foran’s Friendly Faces’ fundraising campaign. Kelly, who lives in Maules Creek, has faced many adversities in her life. In 2002 she was…
On 25th April Australians will commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Gallipoli landings during the First World War and honour the sacrifices of those service personnel who helped forge our national identity. This Anzac Day Australians are also being asked to spare a thought for our current serving personnel and recently returned veterans who have…
Our tax system was built in the 1950s and it is time that we have a discussion as a nation about what changes should be introduced to make sure that we can keep up with the times. Globalisation and the digital economy have transformed the way that we do business. Our reliance on income tax…