Parliament returns I’m pleased the past week has seen the Coalition Government continue to prioritise the drought. The Government is making changes to the Farm Household Allowance (FHA) to help more farmers and has introduced a Bill to extend income support to four years in every 10 years; relax the off-farm income offset and increase…
DetailsSeven days & seven different Parkes electorate communities Throughout last week I spent time in seven different communities in my electorate including Coonabarabran, Tottenham, Lake Cargelligo, Condobolin, Nyngan, Dubbo and Warren, and I managed to fulfil commitments under my Ministerial portfolios as well. It was a great week marking the end of my time out…
DetailsBacking councils to back rural communities Drought and building stronger regional communities were both on the agenda at the Orana Joint Organisation meeting in Narromine early last week. I was pleased to hear from member councils including Bogan, Gilgandra, Mid-Western Regional, Narromine, Warren and Warrumbungle Shire Councils about their local issues and priorities. Member councils…
DetailsNorth West farming success I thoroughly enjoyed spending time in the North West of my electorate last week. Touring around Robert Hoddle’s orange farm near Gunnedah was a highlight. It was great to witness a successful harvest, and to see farmers looking at how innovation can apply to the citrus industry. With water so scarce…
DetailsTough new farm trespass laws Tough new farm trespass laws recently passed both houses of Parliament, which will protect our farmers from the unlawful actions of animal activists. I have heard from a number of farmers and constituents in my electorate who are deeply concerned about on-farm intimidation and attacks by out-of-line activists, including some…
DetailsMore drought funds for Parkes electorate I was thrilled to announce more than $113,000 in drought funding for my electorate last week under the Tackling Tough Times Together program. Communities dealing with drought at Wee Waa will benefit through an upgrade to fire protection at the showground pavilion, while 24 students from Bellata, Bullarah and…
DetailsWeek on the road I spent last week on the road travelling from Warialda to Broken Hill via Moree, Walgett, Grawin, Brewarrina, Bourke and Cobar, to catch up with local councils, community groups and constituents. With such a large electorate in geographical terms, it’s never easy getting to every community in Parkes, though I always…
DetailsA win for Indigenous education I’m a keen advocate for the work of Clontarf Academies, which is why I was so pleased to speak at the launch of Narromine Clontarf Academy last week. Already more than 60 young Indigenous boys are benefitting from this academy, with that number expected to grow next year. In my…
DetailsAgQuip, Inland Rail, local government I always enjoy my time at AgQuip, and this year was no different. AgQuip is synonymous with primary producers and machinery enthusiasts right around my electorate, and it’s a great day out for locals in the region. I took the opportunity while I was in town to catch up with…
DetailsNew opportunities for North West students Minister for Education Dan Tehan joined me in the North West last week to officially open the Country University Centres – North West regional study hub. The hub means that students living in the Moree and Narrabri areas will have access to campus-like facilities with modern IT equipment, and…
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