The announcement by Murray-Darling Basin Authority chief executive Phillip Glyde that the agency will investigate opportunities to decentralise is welcome news. I agree with the Minister for Agriculture the Hon Barnaby Joyce who said the ability of the MDBA to successfully deliver its functions is underpinned by its ability to engage with Basin communities and…
DetailsWith the opening of the 45th Parliament approaching, I was fortunate to be in Canberra last week to meet with newly elected MPs as they undertook a two day seminar outlining their roles and responsibilities. Thirty-nine newly elected Coalition, Labor and Independent MPs will take their seats in the House of Representatives when the House…
DetailsWestern NSW Cancer Centre update Last week I officially received a petition containing well over 45,000 signatures in support of an integrated cancer centre based at Dubbo Hospital. Receiving this petition is certainly one of those special moments in my parliamentary career to date. I could not have predicted the magnitude of the number of…
DetailsOpening of the 45th Parliament Last week I was in Canberra for the first sitting week of the 45th Parliament which began with a Welcome to Country ceremony in the Great Hall at Parliament House. On the opening day of the House of Representatives, Member for Casey, the Hon Tony Smith, was re-elected as Speaker…
DetailsTackling pests and weeds in NSW Landholders throughout the Federal electorate of Parkes will soon be better-equipped to tackle the scourge of pests and weeds thanks to a share in $3 million of federal funding for 23 projects across New South Wales. This is a very welcome announcement particularly for parts of New South Wales…
DetailsBudget Savings measures pass through Parliament It was another busy week in the Federal Parliament in Canberra last week. I was pleased that the Coalition Government was able to make tangible headway towards balancing the Budget with the passage of the Budget Savings (Omnibus) Bill. The amended Bill passed through the Senate late on Thursday…
DetailsAustralian Priority Investment Approach to Welfare Last week the Coalition Government announced the first stage in a new approach aiming to revolutionise the welfare system by focusing on improving the individual lives of people trapped in it. This is an issue that is very close to my heart as I represent an area that has…
DetailsThe recent announcement that the Coalition Government will cut the proposed backpacker tax from 32.5 per cent to 19 per cent from 1 January 2017 is good news for the Parkes electorate. The Government recognises that working holiday makers are an important part of Australia’s $43.4 billion tourism industry and a key source of labour,…
DetailsFederal funding towards Dubbo Airport upgrade I was very pleased to host the Deputy Leader of The Nationals and Minister for Regional Development, Fiona Nash in Dubbo last week to announce Federal funding for Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) towards their project to upgrade Dubbo Airport and its Aeromedical Facilities. DRC was successful in securing over…
DetailsSingapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement In conjunction with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s visit to Canberra last week, the Coalition Government delivered a comprehensive update of Australia’s second oldest free trade agreement, creating significant opportunities for local service providers and professionals to expand their business. The updated Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) delivers greater access…
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