Mr COULTON (Parkes—Chief Nationals Whip) (13:51): Over the term of this government, we’ve seen a cutback in funding going into regional Australia. We’ve seen the cessation of local government programs that were for community infrastructure for roads, Roads of Strategic Importance, the Stronger Communities Program. So, the Growing Regions Program, which is the, I guess…
DetailsMr COULTON (Parkes—Chief Nationals Whip) (13:51): Over the years, I’ve heard magnificent speeches in this place about decentralisation, regional development, lower carbon emissions, cheaper prices in our capital cities, better access to ports for farms and miners, lower use of fossil fuel, jobs for Aboriginal people, a lower death toll on the Newell Highway and…
DetailsMr COULTON (Parkes—Chief Nationals Whip) (18:37): I rise tonight to speak on the Future Made in Australia Bill 2024, and I’ll state from the outset that I am opposed to this bill. I’ve been listening to the speeches, particularly on the other side, and sometimes I think I’m in a high school debating club where…
DetailsMr COULTON (Parkes—Chief Nationals Whip) (16:36): Last weekend in the far west of New South Wales, in my electorate, there was a three-day music festival, the Mundi Mundi Bash. There were 14,500 people, and 5,000 caravans rolled into town. Broken Hill and Silverton were absolutely chock-a-block with people. While they were there, they undertook the…
DetailsMr COULTON (Parkes—Chief Nationals Whip) (16:05): A short while ago, early in the winter, Wee Waa lost one of its most loved and respected citizens. Frank Hadley, a cotton pioneer, passed away at Wee Waa at the age of 97. Frank was a pioneer in the true sense of the word. Frank and Paul Kahl,…
DetailsMr COULTON (Parkes—Chief Nationals Whip) (13:48): There are a lot of words spoken in this place about a cleaner future and reducing our emissions. The reality is that we can’t do that without a mining sector. The critical minerals—the cobalt, the rare earths, the magnetite, the clean coal—are all the things we need for a…
DetailsMr COULTON (Parkes—Chief Nationals Whip) (18:12): I’d like to touch on a few things this evening that are of concern to me. I might just comment on the member for Canberra’s contribution a little while ago. It was quite a thoughtful contribution, and I’d just like to add to it. With the current debate in…
DetailsMr COULTON (Parkes—Chief Nationals Whip) (16:13): I would like to compliment the one-term member opposite for her contribution. If it’s all right with her, I might put that on my Facebook page so that I can explain to my constituents exactly what’s wrong with this place at the moment! Why don’t those on that side…
DetailsMr COULTON (Parkes—Chief Nationals Whip) (17:26): I’m very pleased to back up my colleague and friend the member for Gippsland on this important motion. I’m a little bit confused by the contribution of my colleague the member for Robertson just then, because a previous member for Robertson who is now a senator for New South…
DetailsMr COULTON (Parkes—Chief Nationals Whip) (13:50): Decisions made in this place have consequences. This is not a philosophical debating club at the local university or high school. Decisions that are made here impact on people. We’ve seen this week the debate on the export of live sheep—a great debate here, with lots of virtue signalling…
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