Last week, I was pleased to be given the opportunity to tour the northern NSW Murray Darling Basin with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment, the Hon Bob Baldwin. Also joining us on the tour was the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder together with representatives from the Department of the Environment and…
DetailsFollowing extensive sittings of Federal Parliament in Canberra and hours of debate, the Government’s Senate voting reform bill has finally passed through the Parliament. These reforms were vital and are designed to empower voters to have their preferences reflected in any Senate election, by improving the transparency of Senate voting arrangements. The reforms include the…
DetailsDubbo Sports Awards huge success I was very pleased to host the 14th annual Dubbo Sports Awards alongside my colleague Federal Member for Calare, Andrew Gee and the Dubbo Sports Council at the Dubbo RSL on Friday evening. This year, the event recognised the outstanding achievements of Dubbo’s and Wellington’s most talented sports people across…
DetailsThe Federal Government has released the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO). The purpose of the MYEFO is to provide an update on the economic and fiscal outlook for Australia. It also provides an update on the Federal Government’s budgetary position. It doesn’t come as any real surprise that the Government’s budgetary position…
DetailsThe Federal Government has allocated $35 million over 5 years for research into juvenile diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong auto-immune disease that usually occurs in childhood but can be diagnosed at any age. It is one of the most common chronic diseases in children and most newly diagnosed cases are in children under…
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,…
DetailsFollowing Warren Truss’ retirement as Leader of The Nationals and other movements in the Coalition Government over the past few weeks, the Turnbull Government Ministry has now been sworn in at Government House in Canberra. These changes have resulted in some significant milestones for The Nationals including a brand new leadership team which, for…
DetailsAt the end of 2014 I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. There have been many tragedies over the last 12 months both at home and abroad. The recent Sydney siege has shown that the world can indeed be a dangerous place. Christmas is a time when we…
DetailsThe 21st National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) was held in Canberra last week. At the NGA, the Australian Rural Road Group (ARRG) held its Annual General Meeting. I was pleased to be invited by the ARRG to speak at their meeting. The ARRG is a non-political organisation of over 100 rural…
DetailsOn the advice of the relevant security and intelligence agencies the National Terrorism Public Alert level has been increased from medium to high. This means that the current situation in Australia has changed from medium – “terrorist attack could occur” to high- “terrorist attack is likely”. This system is designed to guide national preparation and…
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