Nats in government boost harvest workforce

The NSW Nationals in the federal government are getting workers into jobs on Australian farms. Following consultation with the agricultural industry the government is delivering a new more flexible approach to its Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job program for short-term agricultural work. Assistance to support people to take up short-term agricultural work will…

Koorawatha commemorates with restored honour rolls

The Koorawatha community will continue to commemorate its war service for years to come, with restoration work completed on the town’s Honour Rolls. Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke joined the community in unveiling the restored rolls, funded through a $9680 grant from the NSW Nationals in the state government’s Community War Memorial Fund. Ms Cooke…

Native fish return to river after 70 years

More than 7500 juvenile Macquarie Perch have been released into the Macquarie River, more than 70 years after the species was last recorded in the catchment. NSW Nationals Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall said the fish were released into the river at Winburndale Dam near Bathurst. “After a 70-year hiatus from the local waterway, it is…

Ambitious plan to improve the Great Western Highway

Planning is underway on making an 11-kilometre tunnel the central component of an upgraded Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Lithgow. Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the proposed tunnel, which would be the longest of its kind in Australia, would transform the state by better connecting the Central West to the east coast. “We have…

Country women get support from Nationals in government

Female sporting teams across regional NSW will benefit from new and improved facilities, thanks to the $100 million Stronger Country Communities Fund from the NSW Nationals in the state government. Deputy Premier John Barilaro, NSW Nationals Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor and NSW Nationals Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said applications…

Sky’s the limit for flood recovery

Drone technology is helping the NSW Nationals in the state government fast-track assessment of damage and rebuilding efforts following devastating floods earlier this year. Deputy Premier John Barilaro said data gathered by drones was providing a clear picture of the massive amount of soil and debris that needed to be removed and helped in developing…

Nats delivering more GPs for the bush

Increasing numbers of doctors are training to become GPs in regional, rural and remote areas, which will deliver significant benefits to patients and communities in the bush. The NSW Nationals in the Australian Government’s 2021 Australian General Practice Training program selection process has seen the largest number of acceptances – 1434 doctors – in several…

Safer loads on regional roads

A new safety campaign has been launched to reduce the number of dangerously loaded trucks operating on regional roads. Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals leader Michael McCormack has welcomed the project, which was initiated by the Parkes, Forbes, and Lachlan Shire Councils, and which is funded under the Federal Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative. “This…