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…
DetailsOn the road My wife Robyn and I had a busy week on the road last week attending meetings and events in Dubbo, Gunnedah and Moree. In Dubbo, I was very pleased to join the residents and staff members of Kintyre Living to officially turn the first sod for construction of an 80-bed residential aged…
DetailsABS Census Over the past week my offices have received enquiries about the upcoming 2016 Census. It is compulsory for everyone to complete the Census as it provides important information about Australia’s people and their housing as well as helping to estimate Australia’s population. This information is then used to distribute government funds and plan…
DetailsAEC Declaration The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has formally declared the result for the division of Parkes for the 45th Parliament, confirming my re-election as the Federal Member for Parkes. I am absolutely honoured to have been re-elected by the people of the Parkes electorate for a fourth term and I am very much looking…
DetailsTragedy during Bastille Day in Nice I was extremely saddened to awake to the terrible news last Friday of the attack on innocent people undertaking Bastille Day celebrations in Nice. It is truly disappointing that on France’s National Day, such a tragic event has taken place. I pass on my deepest sympathies to any local…
DetailsOn Sunday, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull declared victory in the 2016 federal election following Labor Leader Bill Shorten conceding defeat. For the Nationals, this means the time has come to negotiate a new Coalition Agreement with the Liberal Party. Negotiations for this Agreement will take place between the Leader of the Nationals and Deputy Prime…
DetailsI am pleased to announce that I have been re-elected as the Federal Member for Parkes following the election held on Saturday 2 July 2016. I am absolutely humbled that the people of the Parkes electorate have thrown their support behind me for a fourth time. I would like to thank the people of the…
DetailsTwo significant election commitments were announced last week that are focused on improving rural and regional areas including communities across the Parkes electorate. Firstly, it was announced that a re-elected Coalition Government will re-focus its billion dollar National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF) to be eligible only to regional, rural and remote Australia and be broadened…
DetailsIn 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote that there were only two things certain in life: death and taxes. It could be argued that there is in fact another certainty in life that we all experience every second of every day: ageing. Australia has an ever increasing ageing population and the people of the Parkes electorate are…
DetailsI was very pleased to have my colleague, Deputy Leader of the Nationals and Minister for Rural Health Fiona Nash, in Dubbo last week confirming that a re-elected Coalition Government will contribute $25 million towards construction of an integrated cancer centre for Western New South Wales (NSW), based at Dubbo Hospital. On another health issue,…
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