Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton (centre) met with Karen Ingram and Carl Moss from Marathon Health in Condobolin last week.

Jamie Chaffey preselected as Nationals’ candidate

I’m delighted that Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey has been preselected as The Nationals’ candidate to contest the seat of Parkes at the next federal election.

I have worked closely with Jamie over the years both in his role as Mayor and his involvement with The Nationals and I know he has a deep passion for bettering our region.

I’m excited the Party has chosen someone of such high calibre. Jamie has been a hardworking community leader; he understands the issues facing our communities and knows that regional Australia is the backbone of our economy.

He is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in, and I know he will work tirelessly to ensure the people of the Parkes electorate can continue to thrive into the future.

I look forward to working with Jamie until the election is called, helping him meet and get to know as many people in the electorate as possible.

Concern about Rex airlines

I’m very concerned about Rex Airlines going into voluntary administration.

Rex provides a vital service to two communities in the Parkes electorate – Dubbo and Broken Hill, as well as the surrounding towns and villages – not only as a connection for our rural and regional people to the capital cities, but as competition for the larger airlines.

Our regional people deserve affordable airfares and reliable connections, and Rex helps keep our aviation industry competitive.

We cannot afford to lose that service and so I urge the Labor Government to do what it can to ensure Rex can remain in the air.

The previous Coalition Government provided considerable support to Rex during the COVID-19 pandemic because we understood the importance of these smaller airlines to regional Australia.

Rural and regional Australians, particularly those in Broken Hill and the Far West, rely on air connectivity to the major cities for business, health and leisure and we need to ensure they won’t be left up in the air.

Week on the road

It was great to be out on the road last week catching up with councils and community groups in Coonabarabran, Lake Cargelligo, Condobolin and Trangie.

I met with a number of community groups that had received Volunteer Grants including the Coonabarabran Golf Club, Condobolin Picnic Race Club and Trangie Central School P and C, as well as Trangie CWA which has received a $19,343 FRRR Small Network Grant to upgrade the CWA rooms.

I also presented new flags to the student leaders at Trangie Central School and Condobolin Public School and met with the Rapid Relief Team in Lake Cargelligo to discuss how they can collaborate with the Federal Government to support farmers in the Parkes electorate who are experiencing hardships.

I caught up with Carl and Karen from Marathon Health which has just received a $180,000 extension of its funding under the Strong and Resilient Communities – Inclusive Communities Activity for its project in Condobolin that connects and re-engages young boys with education and/or the workforce.

Also in Condobolin, it was a pleasure, as always, to catch up with Ally Coe from the Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation to discuss how the Wiradjuri Study Centre might benefit from funding that the NSW Aboriginal Culture Heritage and Arts Association received to promote professional development within its visual arts hub membership network.

In Coonabarabran, it was an honour to present a Certificate of Appreciation to local veteran Donald Harrod, in recognition of his service during the Vietnam War.

Topping off the busy week were productive meetings with the mayors and general managers of Warrumbungle and Lachlan shire councils.

Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program

Councils in the Parkes electorate have the opportunity to apply for funding under the new Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.

This combines the former Bridges Renewal Program and Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program into a single program.

State and territory governments and local councils are able to apply for funding of up to $5 million per project through the program for projects that improve road safety, productivity, bridge renewal, road resilience, sustainability and/or heavy vehicle rest areas.

Applications for tranche one of the SLRIP are open until 30 September 2024.

For more information, visit https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/about/local-initiatives/safer-local-roads-and-infrastructure-program