Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and Nationals’ candidate for Parkes Jamie Chaffey met with Jobs Australia’s Tracey Reid at Allawah Cottage, a crisis accommodation for women, children and pets escaping domestic violence. Jobs Australia is seeking funding to build another cottage to meet increased demand.
Tourism to boom in Collarenebri
I was thrilled to take part in the official opening of the Collarenebri Bore Baths last week.
This is a fantastic facility that will draw thousands of tourists to town, significantly boosting the local economy, local businesses and the wider community.
I’m proud to have helped secure more than $900,000 in funding for this project under the former Coalition Government’s Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program, helping to create economic activity for communities like Collarenebri that have been seriously impacted by water buybacks.
The Nationals’ candidate for Parkes Jamie Chaffey also joined me in Moree and Gunnedah last week and together we attended the Barwon Learning Centre open day, inspected the progress on the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre and Moree Town Hall, and met with Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association about water buybacks and Bamara about its NDIS rollout in Moree.
In Gunnedah, Jamie conducted his last official citizenship ceremony as Mayor of Gunnedah, before we both visited Allawah Cottage, Alkira Aged Care facility and inspected the progress of the Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary. We also attended the Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting. It was a busy but productive few days.
Fighting for farmers
Tomorrow I’ll be standing with farmers from across the country, in a rally outside Parliament House against Labor’s anti-farming ideology.
Our farmers have been under constant attack by Labor and its anti-farming policies – including water buybacks, reckless renewables, endless cuts to regional infrastructure funding, unnecessary red tape and its senseless phase out of our live sheep export trade.
The Nationals are demanding 10 key changes by Labor including the reinstatement of the live sheep export trade; bringing back the Agriculture Visa and fixing the PALM scheme mess; stopping water buybacks; introducing a container levy, reversing cuts to regional infrastructure; stopping Labor’s truckie tax and vehicle efficiency standard; creating a mix of energy; scrapping harmful emissions profiles; stopping proposed taxes on superannuation and ensuring the 88-day backpacker work visa remains in place.
We will continue fighting for our farmers to get a fair go.
Funding for isolated aged care providers
Residential aged care facilities in the Parkes electorate have the opportunity to apply for funding under the 2024-25 Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) Transition Fund.
Up to $500,000 is available for aged care providers in isolated and remote communities or those that have at least 50 per cent Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander residents. Funding can be used for a range of expenses to help cover the higher costs of delivering care.
Eligible providers will be invited to apply. Applications close at 2pm on Thursday 12 September. For more information, visit GrantConnect at www.grants.gov.au/Go/Show?GoUuid=c4c48bae-4cb1-41d4-a316-6925e49274b0
Grants available for innovative ideas
Applications for the 2024 Innovate with nbn Grants Program are now open.
The initiative aims to help regional based businesses and individuals transform their great ideas into game-changing achievements. A total of $125,000 in funding is up for grabs to support regional and remote businesses drive the development and adoption of their ideas. Across seven categories – Agriculture, Arts, Education, Health, Indigenous Business, Tourism, and Women in Regional Business – each winner receives $15,000.
The overall Innovate with nbn® Champion will be awarded an additional $20,000 grant to help take their idea to the next level. Applications close on midnight Sunday 29 September. For more information and to apply visit www.nbnco.com.au/innovatewithnbn
