Ahead of the 2016 federal election, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) last week released details of its proposal for changes to the federal electoral boundaries in New South Wales (NSW). Under the proposed changes, the Parkes electorate would see a rather significant increase in its geographic size. Currently this electorate covers almost one third…
DetailsLast week marked three months since the release of the Coalition Government’s $4 billion Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper. This Paper contains a range of initiatives designed to deliver practical support to the agricultural sector. I am very pleased to report that implementation of programmes and policies under this Paper is progressing well with farmers…
DetailsIn light of the Commonwealth Government’s announcement of its $100 million Women’s Safety package to respond to family and domestic violence, there has been a lot of discussion happening on this issue right across my electorate. On the one hand, I am very disappointed that many parts of my electorate have been identified as…
DetailsPrime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s new look ministry was sworn in by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove last week. Following this I have been busy speaking with many of my constituents about how their matters will be dealt with under the new Coalition Government. One particular matter being raised with me is the implementation of…
DetailsI was very disappointed to learn that as part of the Australian Electoral Commission’s (AEC) current review of voter services for the next Federal election, it is proposed that almost 20% of polling places in the Parkes Electorate will be abolished. The AEC have proposed the abolition of polling places at Albert, Baan Baa,…
DetailsLast week marked the two year anniversary of this Coalition Government. I am very proud to be part of a Government that cares about rural and regional Australia; a Government that has a clear plan to build a prosperous economy and a safe, secure Australia. I have been working very hard to do my…
DetailsI was honoured to host my colleague and friend, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development the Hon Warren Truss MP in Dubbo and Narromine last week. We firstly attended the Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets with the Mayor of Dubbo Councillor Mathew Dickerson viewing plans for the upgrade of the cattle…
DetailsWhilst our Prime Minister, the Hon Tony Abbott spent last week visiting Indigenous communities in the Torres Strait and on the tip of Cape York, I too spent the week meeting with some organisations undertaking significant work with members of Indigenous communities across the Parkes electorate. I had the pleasure of attending two events…
DetailsFederal Parliament sat in Canberra again last week and I took the opportunity to place on the record how pleased I am to be part of a Government that is providing $45 million over two years to fund small capital projects in our local communities. The Stronger Communities Programme is a new programme…
DetailsLast week I returned to a rather icy cold Canberra for the first week of Federal Parliament sitting since the winter break. As anticipated, it was a very busy week with the appointment of a new Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon Tony Smith MP and a special joint Coalition party room…
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