ABS 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…
DetailsAs part of my Parliamentary Committee service in Canberra, I am currently a Member of the House of Representatives Indigenous Affairs Committee. With the Federal electorate of Parkes currently spanning one-third of Western New South Wales (NSW), I am proud to represent more Aboriginal people than nearly any other Member of Parliament in Canberra.…
DetailsLast week in Canberra, I had the pleasure of meeting the students from the current Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD) program. During their visit to Parliament House, the students were treated to a special meeting with Prime Minister, the Hon Tony Abbott MP. The students also met with some of my other…
DetailsIt goes without saying that when Federal Parliament returns from its Winter break, there will be many issues on the table for extensive consideration and debate. Before this occurs, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge my colleague, the late Don Randall MP, who sadly passed away last month. Don was…
DetailsThis week marks the return to Parliament for 2014 and the new Government is determined to continue the return of sensible and stable governance. One of the key issues in the coming sitting weeks will be the carbon tax. Whilst the Coalition has acted quickly to get rid of the Carbon Tax, it is…
DetailsThe future of freight in Australia will be key to our productivity. This is why I am so passionate about the future of the Inland Rail. Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss came to Moree on Friday 7th March to attend the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail Symposium. The Symposium was a great success and I…
DetailsThe end of this week Australia will see world leaders arriving for the G20 Leaders’ Summit. As host, it has been up to Australia to make sure the meeting isn’t just a high-level talk-fest. We are determined that world leaders use their influence to deliver the economic growth, jobs and financial stability that will benefit…
DetailsI welcome the Commonwealth-State joint-funding announcement of $2.59 million in projects to help better protect New South Wales (NSW) communities from the threat of bush fire. This funding commitment will contribute $300,000 to the NSW Rural Fire Service for aerial firefighting supply tanks in the Warrumbungle, Moree Plains, Narromine, Gwydir and Narrabri local government areas.…
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…
DetailsIt is important for Australia to be united if we are to deal with the challenges that we will inevitably face in the future. Australia is a country which shows a remarkable ability to pull together in times of crises and the sense of community is especially strong in country areas. Tragedies like the loss…
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