Nuclear discussion draws attention

Members may have seen news reports this week about the NSW Nationals supporting the use of nuclear power. On Wednesday, the NSW Legislative Council Standing Committee on State Development delivered Report No. 46 — Uranium Mining and Nuclear Facilities (Prohibitions) Repeal Bill 2019. This cross-party inquiry into nuclear energy recommended the removal of a prohibition…

New employment model for GPs undertaking rural training

Trainee rural generalist doctors in the Murrumbidgee region can now work in private practices and local hospitals under a new and innovative employment model that will provide a greater range of care for local patients. Federal Nationals Regional Health Minister Mark Coulton said the Government was acutely aware of calls from communities to deliver initiatives…

More opportunities for gifted and talented students

NSW Nationals Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead has announced that the NSW Nationals in Government have expanded the Aurora College program to more than 600 public schools across the state including 22 in his area. Primary school students from Mr Bromhead’s Myall Lakes electorate are among those that now have access to a world-class…

Age limit for flu jab lowered

Families across regional NSW will have more access to influenza vaccinations with the lowering of the age pharmacists can administer flu jabs to children from 16 years to 10 years. NSW Nationals Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said this was fantastic news for families with more options to protect their children against flu, given the…

Disaster assistance available after storms and flood

Disaster assistance is now available to help people and businesses in the Kyogle, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley, Lismore, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Nambucca and Kempsey areas that have been impacted by storms and flooding. Assistance to these local government areas was announced by Deputy Nationals Leader and Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud under the jointly-funded…

Farraway hits the ground running for the west

NSW Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway has wasted no time advocating for western NSW, with funding for several community projects. The Bathurst-based Member of the Legislative Council has been a tireless champion for the bush, announcing $69,000 from the Stronger Country Communities Fund for the Maules Creek Campdraft Club, $529,667 for youth projects in…

Grain trains to remain thanks to Nats

The NSW Nationals in Government have halted proposed changes by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to change regulations governing locomotive emissions, which would have a devastating impact on industry. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro and Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Adam Marshall publicly opposed the proposal to introduce a new…

Rain a relief but not drought-breaking

Regional NSW is still experiencing the worst of the drought, despite ongoing rain in the Northern Valleys increasing the possibility of inflows into key dams. NSW Nationals Water Minister Melinda Pavey said embargoes were placed on irrigators across the Barwon-Darling over the weekend to replenish the river systems as much as possible. “Embargoes were placed…

MPs reflect on bushfire disaster

State and Federal Nationals have spoken about the effect of the bushfire disaster in Parliament this week, as some regions continue to battle blazes while in others the rebuilding and recovery effort continues. Dr David Gillespie, the Federal Member for Lyne on the mid-north coast, spoke about the fires that ripped through his region late…