Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and Nationals candidate for Parkes Jamie Chaffey are backing calls for the NSW Government to take immediate action to address escalating youth crime.
Change needed to address crime
The Moree, Narrabri and Gunnedah communities are still reeling from the tragic death of a man after the motorcycle he was riding collided with a vehicle allegedly stolen by three 14-year-olds from Moree.
Sadly, this incident is just the tip of the iceberg. Communities throughout my electorate have been dealing with youth crime for years, but over the past year it seems to have escalated and now it’s resulted in the death of an innocent man.
It should never have come to this, but enough is enough and our communities deserve to see some action to tackle this issue and help them feel safe.
I’m backing my state Nationals colleague, Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan in his calls for the NSW Government to take immediate action and deliver major legislative reforms to address this issue. In particular, bail laws need to change so that courts cannot grant bail to repeat serious offenders, regardless of their age.
We can’t keep throwing money at the issue and funding the same services that are currently not making a difference. Something needs to change if we want to see real, tangible outcomes on the ground.
Back to school costs hit families hard
Most children across the Parkes electorate will be returning to the classroom this week, however new data has revealed that back-to-school costs are further burdening many families that are already struggling with the basics as a result of Labor’s cost-of-living crisis.
Under the Labor Government, education costs have risen an alarming 11 per cent and parents are being forced to make impossible choices. Many families are unable to afford basic school supplies, uniforms or digital devices.
According to The Smith Family’s recent Pulse survey, 87 per cent of parents worried about affording back-to-school costs. The findings reveal more than half of parents fear their children will miss out on essential digital devices, and nearly 60 per cent said 2024 was harder than ever to cover school costs due to skyrocketing everyday expenses like groceries, rent, and petrol.
Education is a fundamental right; yet under Labor, it is becoming increasingly out of reach for many Australian families. Children cannot reach their best potential if they cannot access the basics to succeed in the classroom. Only a Coalition government will fight cost-of-living pressures, build a stronger economy and get Australia back on track.
Australia Day honours
I’d like to congratulate the eight people from the Parkes electorate who were named in the Australia Day 2025 Honours List, including Shanna Whan from Narrabri who received a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), Dennis Lowder from Wee Waa who received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), Patricia Hadley from Narrabri who received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), Rodney Towney from Dubbo who received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), Kim Vodic from Broken Hill who received an Australian Corrections Medal (ACM), Inspector Helen McWilliam from Moree who received an Australian Police Medal (APM), Anthony Battam from Narrabri who received an Emergency Services Medal (ESM), and William Birch from Narrabri who received a Public Service Medal (PSM).
An incredible honour for each of these well-deserving individuals who contribute so much to our wonderful electorate!
Reminder to submit Stronger Communities applications
Community groups in the Parkes electorate have until this Friday 7 February to submit their Expressions of Interest (EOI) for Round 9 of the Stronger Communities Programme.
Grants of up to $20,000 are available for community organisations and local governing bodies for infrastructure projects that deliver social benefits for local communities. Dozens of community groups have benefitted from this funding over the years, and I look forward to seeing some great projects go ahead under this latest round.
If your community group has a suitable project in mind, I encourage you to check the guidelines and submit an Expression of Interest to my office by 5pm AEDT on Friday 7 February. For more information and to download an EOI form, visit my website: www.markcoulton.com.au/funding-available-to-grow-stronger-communities/