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…
DetailsCouncils 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…
DetailsLast 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…
DetailsFederal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, has expressed his anger regarding the future of the Walgett branch of the National Australia Bank (NAB). The NAB wrote to Mr Coulton in April this year advising that the Walgett branch will close on Friday, 2 October 2015 because the premises in Fox Street no longer meet required…
DetailsA 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…
DetailsFederal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton has welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s announcement that an infrastructure project will be funded in the Parkes electorate under the $1 billion National Stronger Regions Fund. The Government will provide $212 million in funding to 51 priority infrastructure projects nationwide in Round One of the programme, including…
DetailsAs we move through the 2015 Federal budget week, I believe it is important to reflect on last year’s budget and consider how this year will be different. Last year’s budget was tough, responding to a lot of hard decisions that needed to be made. As difficult as it was, last year’s budget was also…
DetailsPrime Minister the Hon. Tony Abbott MP, Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. Warren Truss MP and Minister for Agriculture the Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP, have today announced details of much needed drought assistance for regional communities and farmers. Rural communities suffering through extreme drought will be eligible for Commonwealth assistance as part of a…
DetailsYoung local artists will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with a world-class artist as a result of Australian and NSW Government support for a major international art event by Kaldor Public Art Projects. Kaldor Public Art Projects is bringing internationally renowned performance artist Marina Abramovi? to Dubbo for an immersive public art experience…
DetailsThis week I had the pleasure of officially opening the new and improved Trangie-Nevertire Irrigation Scheme. The opening took place on the Macquarie River at Gin Gin and represented more than half a decade of hard work by the Scheme board and members. The scheme will provide long-term water efficiency and crop productivity gains for…
Details