Coulton’s Catch Up – Planting trees for the Queen’s Jubilee, Local community projects backed by bushfire grants, Better aged care services, New website to help navigate childcare services

Planting trees to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee Eligible groups and organisations in the Parkes electorate are being invited to put forward their project ideas for an Australian Government grant to plant trees in honour of the legacy of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and her 70 years of service to Australia and the Commonwealth. The…

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Feb212022

Coulton’s Catch Up – Biodiversity Bill for farmers, Communities in the Parkes electorate to benefit from media reform package, Reopening to tourists and other international travellers and Funding to help preserve wartime heritage

BIODIVERSITY BILL FOR FARMERS On 9 February 2022, the Agriculture Biodiversity Stewardship Market Bill was introduced to parliament. This Bill will create a framework to support new income streams for farmers, improved biodiversity, and international recognition of Australia’s biodiversity stewardship credentials. The Bill builds on the Agriculture Biodiversity Stewardship Package, which aims to improve on-farm…

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Feb142022

Coulton’s Catch Up – Improving the health of our rivers, New veteran wellbeing grants, Grants open for soil carbon measurement projects, Scholarships for rural students

Improving the health of our rivers The Coalition Government is committed to improving the health of rivers in the Murray-Darling Basin, and I was pleased to join some of my National Party colleagues for a few exciting announcements for the Parkes electorate last week. We are providing $80 million to New South Wales to deliver…

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Feb72022

Coulton’s Catch Up – Australia Day celebrations, Exciting week of openings, Flood recovery grants for small businesses

Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton (second from right) pictured with Lachlan Shire Council General Manager Greg Tory, Citizen of the Year Dr Khaled Bardawil, Australia Day Ambassador Donna Burton from Coonabarabran, Australia Day Award winner Sue Nicholls, Sportsperson of the Year Dylan Bendell and Mayor John Medcalf OAM in Lake Cargelligo. Australia…

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Jan312022

Coulton’s Catch Up – Improving disability support for local Indigenous people, Funding available for remote airstrips, Reflect, respect and celebrate Australia Day, Backing women in STEM

Improving disability support for local Indigenous people Five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations in the Parkes electorate have received funding from the Federal Government to improve delivery of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) support services. Bourke Aboriginal Corporation Health Service, Brewarrina Aboriginal Medical Service, Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service, Pius X Aboriginal Corporation and…

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Jan242022

Coulon’s Catch Up – Powering local community groups, Supporting country shows, Changes to Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, National plan to end violence against women and children

Powering local community groups Power bills are often one of the biggest overheads for not-for-profit organisations, so I was thrilled to announce last week that 10 community groups in the Parkes electorate will share in a total of $67,700 to help reduce their energy costs. Provided through the Federal Government’s Powering Communities Program, the grants…

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Jan172022

Coulton’s Catch Up – Free RATs for concession card holders, Grants for flood-affected primary producers, Building drought resilient leaders

Free RATs for concession card holders The Prime Minister announced last week that 6.6 million pensioners and Commonwealth concession card holders will have access to free Rapid Antigen Tests, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the country. Up to 10 tests will be available over three months (a maximum of five in a month)…

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Jan102022

Coulton’s Catch Up – Christmas gift for local volunteers, Funds on offer to build better regions, Disaster allowance now available, Christmas wishes

Christmas gift for local volunteers Last week I was thrilled to announce that a total of 30 community groups in the Parkes electorate will share in more than $109,000 under the latest round of the Federal Government’s Volunteer Grants program. Volunteers play a vital role in shaping this electorate; they give countless hours of their…

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Dec202021

Coulton’s Catch Up – Catching up with local communities, Attracting more doctors to the bush, An early Christmas present for two Men’s Sheds, Applications open for Regional Connectivity Program

Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton (fourth from right) pictured with members of the Mendooran Men’s Shed. Catching up with local communities I had a big week on the road last week, visiting a number of community groups throughout the Warrumbungle and Coonamble shires. It was great to stop and catch up with…

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Dec132021