Parkes Electorate to help shape Australia’s agriculture policy agenda

 Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton, has welcomed Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce’s announcement that the Agricultural Competitiveness Green Paper is now available for public comment. Mr Coulton said the Australian Government agricultural policy was focused on increasing returns at the farm gate. “The Coalition is continuing to deliver on its commitment to boost the competitiveness…

Coulton’s Catch Up 20th

 Small business is not only the engine room for the national economy, it is also crucial to the long term viability of our regional communities. The Federal Coalition has announced a number of low cost measures to help small business as a part of the Abbott Government’s Australian Small Business Advisory Programme (ASBAS). The Government…

Skilling Gwydir Students For Success

 Students in the Gwydir region will have the opportunity to learn useful vocational skills in the newly opened Gwydir Learning Region Trade Training Centre. The Gwydir Learning Region Trade Training Centre, with sites located at Warialda High School, Bingara Central School and at the Gwydir Shire Council, will allow secondary school students to earn qualifications…

Securing Great Artesian Basin water

 Regional and remote communities will benefit from the Australian Government’s announcement of $15.9 million to extend the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative (GABSI). South Australia Senator and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment Simon Birmingham said the Initiative was one of the most significant environmental projects in the nation. “The Great Artesian Basin…

Coulton’s Catch Up 6th October

 Last week the guidelines for the National Stronger Regions Fund were released by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss. The National Stronger Regions Fund will invest $1 billion over 5 years in economic development projects and small scale community infrastructure across Australia. The Fund will provide up to 50…

National Stronger Regions Fund applications open

 Applications under Round One of the Australian Government’s landmark $1 billion National Stronger Regions Fund are now open. The new Fund will target projects that deliver priority economic development and small scale community infrastructure at the local level throughout Australia. “This is a huge opportunity for local projects across the Parkes Electorate and regional Australia…

New Funding To Prevent Drowning

 The Australian Government has stepped up efforts to reduce the number of drowning deaths with the latest statistics showing 266 Australians drowned in the last year. Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, said the Royal Life Saving Society Drowning Report 2014 showed too many lives were being lost to drowning. Mr Coulton said the Minister…

Coulton’s Catch Up 29th September

 Six local engagement officers, chosen from over 100 applicants, have been selected and will be located within communities in the Murray Darling Basin to assist with participation in decision making around Commonwealth environmental water. The local engagement officers will be based in Dubbo, Deniliquin, Leeton (NSW), Mildura (VIC), Berri (SA) and Goondiwindi (QLD). I welcome…