Budget is a big win for rural and regional Australia

A strong focus on regional Australia in this year’s Federal Budget will provide a secure and strong platform for small business, farmers and rural communities in the Parkes electorate according to the Federal Member, Mark Coulton.   Mr Coulton has lauded the Budget and said it will provide many opportunities for jobs and growth throughout…

Details

COULTON’S CATCH UP 18TH MAY

Last week was a big one in Canberra with the Coalition Government handing down its second Budget. This Budget has been carefully considered, is appropriate for our economic times and has been designed to be a real shot in the arm for rural and regional Australia.   The people of the Parkes electorate face a…

Details

Round Two opens for Stronger Regions

Councils and incorporated not-for-profit organisations in the electorate of Parkes will now be able to apply for funding of between $20,000 and $10 million for capital infrastructure projects under Round Two of the National Stronger Regions Fund.   The National Stronger Regions Fund demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthening regions across Australia by investing in…

Details

Local business benefiting from small business package

The Coalition Government’s Growing Jobs and Small Business package has attracted positive feedback from local businesses across the Parkes electorate.   Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, has received praise from numerous local businesses that are already experiencing increases in sales because of this package.   “The package was announced last week as part of…

Details

New scholarships for rural arts leaders

Mark Coulton, Federal Member for Parkes, has invited aspiring arts leaders living in regional and rural Australia to apply for a new scholarship to further develop their leadership skills.   “The Australia Council Scholarship will provide $150,000 over the next three years for three high-performing regional arts leaders to participate in the Australian Rural Leadership…

Details

COULTON’S CATCH UP 25TH MAY

There has been a significant amount of discussion in the community of late around the growing use of crystal methamphetamine, known as ‘ice’. Last week, Assistant Minister for Health, Senator The Hon Fiona Nash, visited Dubbo where she undertook a community consultation with local professionals and organisations involved with tackling drug and alcohol issues across…

Details

Connecting job seekers and jobactive providers

The transition to the Australian Government’s new jobactive employment service took another step forward today with job seekers starting to receive advice about which local firm will help them to look for work in the future.   Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, said that the Government’s new $6.8 billion jobactive employment service, which starts…

Details

Funding for Sporting Schools now open

Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, said sporting opportunities for children were set to expand now that local primary schools could apply for funding through the Abbott Government’s $100 million Sporting Schools programme.   Mr Coulton said the before, during and after school hours sporting programme is designed to deliver sports for local schools’ particular…

Details

Country towns receive boost to attract doctors

Towns throughout the Parkes electorate are among 450 country towns who will find it easier to attract doctors under an overhauled GP Rural Incentives Program, Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, said.   Under changes announced by Assistant Minister for Health, Fiona Nash, some 450 country towns will receive increased subsidies to attract and retain…

Details