Latest News
Deputy PM slams petrol price gap
Nationals Leader Michael McCormack has strongly criticised petrol companies for failing to pass on price drops to regional customers. The COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on the Australian economy and every motorist in regional Australia deserves price...
Department of Regional NSW established
A dedicated Department of Regional NSW has been established to better coordinate support for communities, businesses and farmers in the bush that have endured drought, bushfire and flood and now face the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Deputy Premier, NSW Nationals...
Prioritising safety on the Mitchell Highway
A suite of safety measures are being rolled out along the Mitchell Highway with construction of wider road shoulders, improvements to drainage and installation of new roadside barriers now underway at Cooba Road, west of Dubbo. NSW Nationals Member for Dubbo Dugald...
Securing freight access for farms and fisheries
A new $110 million initiative will back Australia’s agricultural and fisheries sector by helping them export their high-quality produce into key overseas markets, with return flights bringing back vital medical supplies, medicines and equipment. In addition, around...
Diamond Beach firies benefit from community grant
NSW Nationals Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead has welcomed the funding announcement of $7750 for Diamond Beach RFS as part of the Community Building Partnership Scheme. This is fantastic news for not only Diamond Beach RFS, but the entire local community who...
Meals on wheels services get more support
Regional seniors will benefit from reinforced and prioritised support for Meals on Wheels and similar services as people adhere to COVID-19 restrictions and stay at home. Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals Leader Michael McCormack said this $59.3 million measure was...
Wyangala Dam project moving ahead
Key engineering and environmental advisors have been appointed for the raising of the Wyangala Dam wall. NSW Nationals Water Minister Melinda Pavey announced a Stantec-GHD joint venture had been engaged for the project, which aimed to increase Wyangala’s storage...
Regional jobs to be saved with JobKeeper payment
The Federal Government will provide an unprecedented wage subsidy to around six million workers, including many throughout regional Australia, says Nationals Leader Michael McCormack. The Deputy Prime Minister and Riverina MP said the $130 billion JobKeeper payment...
Stay at home, say Nats MPs
The NSW Nationals in Government are asking people to put off non-essential travel between regional NSW towns and remote communities, telling them Easter holiday plans should be indefinitely postponed in line with the nationwide effort to slow the spread of the...
Exemptions for truckies at rest stops
The NSW Nationals have welcomed a common-sense exemption to keep freight moving, with restrictions on roadside eateries, truck driver lounges and rest stops eased. The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and the National Cabinet approved an...
One-off payment for drought-affected farmers
Producers, farm workers and farm contractors and suppliers can now apply for a one-off $3000 payment through the Nationals in Government’s Drought Communities Support Initiative. Nationals Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said the Commonwealth had topped up funding for...
Recyclers get grant for upgrades
Kurrajong Waratah’s recycling facility in West Wyalong will be undergoing upgrades thanks to funding from the NSW Nationals in Government. Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke announced a $22,340 grant from the Community Building Partnerships fund which will be used to...
Use technology to beat isolation blues
Tweed Nationals MP Geoff Provest says his office has been inundated with calls about the coronavirus and he is advising locals to obey all the new rules including social distancing but to increase contact with loved ones through phone and internet technology. "Our...
Billions in tax relief, fund for jobs, help for vulnerable
The NSW Government has released the second stage of its economic package aimed at keeping people in jobs, helping businesses and supporting our most vulnerable in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key elements of the NSW COVID-19 stage two package include: Keeping...
Foreign investment crackdown to protect the regions
Foreign investment review laws will be changed to ensure the interests of regional, rural and remote businesses are protected through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. All proposed foreign investments into Australia subject to the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act...
Additional support for critical regional aviation services
The Federal Nationals in Government will provide additional support to help maintain the regional air network as part of the response to the COVID-19 crisis with a $198 million Regional Air Network Assistance Package, bringing the total aviation commitment to $1...
Police crackdown on reckless social gatherings
Police will have the power to issue $1000 on-the-spot fines for individuals and $5000 for corporations not complying with ministerial directions relating to COVID-19, as part of a state-wide crackdown on reckless behaviour to slow the spread of the virus. Deputy NSW...
Let common courtesy be infectious
NSW Nationals Leader and Deputy Premier John Barilaro says it's important to stick together during tough times such as these, in this opinion piece below: This week a number of restrictions were announced. These restrictions are designed to prevent numbers of people...