Coulton’s Catch Up: Senator Bridget McKenzie visits the Inland Rail – Anzac Day in Broken Hill – Saluting Their Service Certificates of Appreciation

Senator Bridget McKenzie visits the Inland Rail Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Senator Bridget McKenzie joined me to view the progress which has been made on the Inland Rail at Narromine and Narrabri, and to discuss the dangers posed to this crucial project by Labor’s indecision. Any delays or slowing of this project…

Coulton’s Catch Up: Down the Track for good food – Visits to Men’s Sheds – Youth Week 2023 – Improvements for Lachlan and Western Regional Services

Down the Track for good food I met up with the young people at Down The Track in Lake Cargelligo early last week where they were working hard in the Trackin’ Good food van. This food van is part of one of two streams offered by the Down The Track program, including hospitality and agriculture.…

Coulton’s Catch Up: Anzac biscuit recipe on its way – Former Chief Medical Officer retires – Servicemen and women of Dunedoo honoured in book – Saluting Their Service

Anzac biscuit recipe on its way In coming weeks residents of the Parkes electorate should receive a special card to commemorate Anzac Day and the sacrifices our brave servicemen and women have made to keep us safe during conflict. On the back you will find an original recipe for Anzac biscuits provided by Bob Lawson…

Coulton’s Catch Up: Community Celebration in Wilcannia – Visiting the new Broken Hill Children’s Contact Service – Release of the Schott report on the Inland Rail

Community Celebration in Wilcannia In Wilcannia last week I was pleased to attend the Community Celebration to launch the Central Darling Shire Heritage Trail. As part of this project the Central Darling Shire Heritage Trail Tourism App has been created. This app provides self-guided driving and walking tours of towns such as Wilcannia, Whitecliffs and…

Coulton’s Catch Up: Tyron and Jolie excel in shearing – Where is key funding for the Parkes electorate? – Supporting the resources sector – Rural generalists program is going well

Tyron and Jolie excel in shearing Two young people from the Parkes electorate – Tyron Cochrane from Goodooga and Jolie Orcher from Bourke – have excelled in the Junior Golden Shears, a prestigious New Zealand shearing competition. Tyron is only eighteen and is the first Australian to win since 1961 as well as the first…

Coulton’s Catch Up – Issues with the Safeguard Mechanism, uncertainty around the Inland Rail, Voice to Parliament developments, aged care staffing requirements

Issues with the Safeguard Mechanism I spoke in Parliament on 21 March on the Labor Government’s Safeguard Mechanism (Crediting) Amendment Bill 2022 and made the observation that it all sounded very similar to around a decade ago with the Carbon Tax. Again, Labor is looking to use a tax system rather than innovation to reduce…

Coulton’s Catch Up – On the road to Bourke, meetings in Brewarrina, Senator Dean Smith visits the Parkes electorate

On the road to Bourke It was good to be on the road again last week, and on the way to Bourke I stopped at a grain receival site to talk to locals about the rail line which runs from Burren Junction to Merrywinebone. This section of rail is in need of work, and concerned…

Coulton’s Catch Up – Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme, the importance of kidney checks, National Reconstruction Fund

Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme I had the privilege of speaking in Parliament last week to support the motion of my friend and colleague the Hon Michael McCormack MP, Member for Riverina, to continue the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. The PALM scheme helps to fill labour gaps in rural and regional Australia and…

Coulton’s Catch Up – Work begins on New Dubbo Bridge, Castlereagh River Revitalisation, opening of the new Warren Museum and Art Gallery, exciting developments for the Far West

Work begins on New Dubbo Bridge It was wonderful to see construction work has begun on the foundations of the New Dubbo Bridge after years of planning and investment by the former Coalition Government in conjunction with the New South Wales Government.   I’ve been actively involved in advocating for this project to proceed and…

Coulton’s Catch Up – Spotlight on bank closures, concerns over water buybacks, Voice meetings and tree plantings

Spotlight on bank closures It was good to host Senator Matthew Canavan in Moree last week to talk to locals about the impact of bank closures, just a day before Westpac’s Moree branch closed its doors for the final time after almost 150 years of serving the community. Senator Canavan is currently touring around the…