Devastating bushfires My heart is with those who have been affected by the devastating fires in affected areas of New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. These fires are unprecedented and while we are prepared, well organised and well resourced, the rapidly escalating damage and the heart-breaking human cost calls for nothing less than…
DetailsChristmas wishes With this being my last column for 2019, I’d like to wish all of my constituents a happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous 2020. I hope that many of you will be able to enjoy some time with loved ones throughout the festive season. I’ll be back with my weekly column in…
DetailsBacking local schools with infrastructure grants There were plenty of energetic, smiling faces at St Pius X Primary in Dubbo during my visit to the school last week. I was delighted to announce funding of more than $1 million for the school to upgrade its facilities for students and staff. The grant has been committed…
DetailsMore drought funds for local councils All 18 local councils in my electorate, and the Unincorporated Far West, can now apply for up to $1 million each under the Drought Communities Programme (DCP) to help stimulate local jobs and business. This is on top of the $1 million per council which was delivered for local…
DetailsTrade creating a stronger economy I was pleased to address the important topic of trade during Question Time in Parliament last week. Our ag and mineral exports make an important contribution to Australia’s economic prosperity, and to the vitality of our regional and rural communities. Trade creates more jobs and increases our capacity to pay…
DetailsShaded saleyards ahead of summer Last week I was joined by Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Ben Shields as we proudly unveiled the new shade sails at the Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets, made possible with $195,000 in funding from the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Programme (DCP). The DCP is all about creating projects that provide local…
DetailsRoad infrastructure milestone It was wonderful to spend time in my electorate last week including in the Moree, Dubbo, Coonabarabran, Gunnedah and Warialda areas. A highlight was the sod-turn for the Grain Valley Way upgrade, which took place near Mullaley on Friday. The project has been funded by both the Australian and NSW Governments, which…
DetailsSpotlight on drought in Parkes electorate It’s important that my Federal colleagues see for themselves the devastating impact of the drought. That’s why I was so pleased to host the Federal Agriculture Minister, Senator Bridget McKenzie in Moree over the weekend. I introduced the Minister to well-known Moree businessman, Col Thomas of Thomas-Lee Motorcycles. Col,…
DetailsHave your say on Future Drought Fund The Future Drought Fund Consultative Committee will hold public consultations in my electorate this month, to help inform the Committee on the best ways for the Future Drought Fund to invest in drought resilience. The Committee is particularly interested in hearing from farmers, local communities and industry organisations,…
DetailsHot topics in Parliament It’s been another productive week in Canberra which marks the last Parliamentary sitting week before its return in late November. The coming weeks will see me travelling for Ministerial duties, as well as spending as much time as I can in the Parkes electorate. I was pleased to meet with representatives…
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