Coulton’s Catch Up: Labor cuts key infrastructure; The Basin comes to Parliament; Threats are not acceptable

Labor cuts key infrastructure I’m appalled by the results of the Labor Government’s Infrastructure Review, part of which was released last Thursday, with more detail expected to be revealed. The Minister for Infrastructure has cut the Moree Intermodal Overpass and the Northern NSW Inland Port at Narrabri which are crucial elements of the Inland Rail.…

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Coulton’s Catch Up: King’s Birthday Honours for the Parkes electorate; Regional connectivity grants close soon; Environmental bill a negative for farming communities

King’s Birthday Honours for the Parkes electorate The 2023 King’s Birthday Honours List was announced yesterday, with many outstanding people named from the Parkes electorate, including: Mr Roger Butler (Moree) was appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the community through charitable and volunteer organisations. Mrs Jennifer Armstrong (Dubbo) was…

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Coulton’s Catch Up: Inquiry into COVID-19; World Pharmacists Day; Assistance for tertiary students and apprentices

Inquiry into COVID-19 Recently the Labor Government began its Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry (the Inquiry) with the purpose of identifying lessons learned to improve Australia’s preparedness for future pandemics. I welcome this Inquiry as I believe it’s a good thing to assess what did and didn’t work during the COVID-19 Pandemic. When the Pandemic…

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Coulton’s Catch Up: Inquiry calls for feedback into flood insurance; Have your say on the Regional Investment Corporation; Work experience student program

Photo caption: Flooding in Condobolin, 2022   Inquiry calls for feedback into flood insurance A Federal Inquiry is currently being conducted into insurers’ responses to 2022 major flood claims, and I’m encouraging affected constituents to participate. I’ve been contacted by many residents from areas as far afield as Gunnedah, Wee Waa and Narrabri who have…

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Coulton’s Catch Up: Heroic army nurse honoured; Connections with the Republic of Korea; Local champion sets her sights on Paris

Heroic army nurse honoured Last week I visited the newly unveiled statue of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bullwinkel AO MBE at the Australian War Memorial. This remarkable woman is a hero and deserving of each of the many accolades she received during her life. She is the first individual woman or nurse to be honoured by…

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Coulton’s Catch Up: Ground-breaking Baaka Cultural Centre; Speaking up for free speech; Recognising our local veterans

Ground-breaking Baaka Cultural Centre I was thrilled to be part of the ground-breaking ceremony for the Baaka Cultural Centre project last week in Wilcannia. After some setbacks, this $9.5 million project is finally underway and I can’t wait to see the old Knox and Downs building in Wilcannia’s main street transformed into a fabulous centre…

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Coulton’s Catch Up: Flooding in the north-west; Honours for Parkes constituents; Meeting with the Muslim community

Flooding in the north-west Tropical cyclone Kirrily has resulted in large storms across north-western NSW, and Lightning Ridge has been one area of the electorate hit particularly hard by heavy rainfall. While this has benefited some, it has also caused significant damage to homes and businesses. My thoughts are with constituents who have withstood the…

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Coulton’s Catch Up: Farewelling Scott Morrison; Australia Day 2024; MindSpot free mental health support; Rebuilding Regional Communities grants

Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and Robyn Coulton with then Prime Minister Scott Morrison at Government House Farewelling Scott Morrison Scott Morrison has recently announced that he will retire from politics after more than 16 years as a Federal Member of Parliament. I was elected on the same day 16 years ago…

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Coulton’s Catch Up: Down the Track for good food – Visits to Men’s Sheds – Youth Week 2023 – Improvements for Lachlan and Western Regional Services

Down the Track for good food I met up with the young people at Down The Track in Lake Cargelligo early last week where they were working hard in the Trackin’ Good food van. This food van is part of one of two streams offered by the Down The Track program, including hospitality and agriculture.…

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