I was very disappointed to learn that as part of the Australian Electoral Commission’s (AEC) current review of voter services for the next Federal election, it is proposed that almost 20% of polling places in the Parkes Electorate will be abolished. The AEC have proposed the abolition of polling places at Albert, Baan Baa,…
DetailsLast week marked the two year anniversary of this Coalition Government. I am very proud to be part of a Government that cares about rural and regional Australia; a Government that has a clear plan to build a prosperous economy and a safe, secure Australia. I have been working very hard to do my…
DetailsI was honoured to host my colleague and friend, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development the Hon Warren Truss MP in Dubbo and Narromine last week. We firstly attended the Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets with the Mayor of Dubbo Councillor Mathew Dickerson viewing plans for the upgrade of the cattle…
DetailsWhilst our Prime Minister, the Hon Tony Abbott spent last week visiting Indigenous communities in the Torres Strait and on the tip of Cape York, I too spent the week meeting with some organisations undertaking significant work with members of Indigenous communities across the Parkes electorate. I had the pleasure of attending two events…
DetailsFederal Parliament sat in Canberra again last week and I took the opportunity to place on the record how pleased I am to be part of a Government that is providing $45 million over two years to fund small capital projects in our local communities. The Stronger Communities Programme is a new programme…
DetailsLast week I returned to a rather icy cold Canberra for the first week of Federal Parliament sitting since the winter break. As anticipated, it was a very busy week with the appointment of a new Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon Tony Smith MP and a special joint Coalition party room…
DetailsIt goes without saying that when Federal Parliament returns from its Winter break, there will be many issues on the table for extensive consideration and debate. Before this occurs, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge my colleague, the late Don Randall MP, who sadly passed away last month. Don was…
DetailsI was very pleased to host the Regional Higher Education Forum in Narrabri last week alongside the Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Education and Employment, Senator Bridget McKenzie. The meeting was attended by parents, students and people interested in education from a range of different locations within the Parkes electorate. Representatives from…
DetailsWith Parliament’s winter break still in full swing, I have enjoyed having the opportunity to get out and about and visit more towns across the Parkes electorate. Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting Coonabarabran, Warren and Nyngan as well as spending time in Moree and Dubbo. During my visits, I was…
DetailsLast week, I was pleased to be given the opportunity to tour the northern NSW Murray Darling Basin with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment, the Hon Bob Baldwin. Also joining us on the tour was the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder together with representatives from the Department of the Environment and…
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