Record canola crop boosts Winter harvest

Australian Winter crops are set for another bumper year with favourable conditions and a record amount of land sown. ABARES Executive Director Jared Greenville said the Australian Crop Report forecasts another harvest well above the historical average. “This year is looking set to be another strong year for growers, with the national Winter crop harvest…

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Smart Farms Small Grants boost for Cowper

Individuals and organisations in Cowper can apply for a share of $13 million in Smart Farms Small Grants funding from the NSW Nationals in the federal government for activities to assist farmers and land managers improve their understanding and management of their soil. Federal Nationals Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said the grants provide an…

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State-wide vaccination blitz for education staff

School, early childhood, TAFE NSW, Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university staff can access the Astra Zeneca vaccine, right across NSW. Nationals Minister for Education and Early Childhood Education Sarah Mitchell said tens of thousands of vaccinations have been reserved exclusively for education staff at the Qudos hub in Homebush. “The Qudos hub is…

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Sound decision to boost Riverina investment

A Wagga Wagga acoustic veneer panel manufacturer will soon have the specialist technology and equipment upgrades needed to service new local and overseas markets, thanks to support from the NSW Nationals in the state government’s Regional Job Creation Fund. Duty Nationals MLC for Wagga Wagga, Wes Fang, said a $330,000 grant from the NSW Nationals…

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Keeping cats at home to protect native wildlife

A new initiative has been launched to help curb the toll on native wildlife caused by domestic cats across the state. Domestic cats are estimated to kill around 67 million native mammals, 83 million native reptiles and 80 million native birds in Australia each year. Under the new initiative, RSPCA NSW will engage councils across…

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Looking after mental health in lockdown

NSW Nationals Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor, Chief NSW Psychiatrist Dr Murray Wright, and Lifeline Chairman John Brogden are calling on the community to be aware of their own mental health and that of their family and loved ones while COVID-19 restrictions remain in place. Mrs Taylor said lockdown can be an incredibly stressful…

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Local fishos reel in share of $17 million in new projects

The NSW Nationals in the state government have announced a record 94 grants have been awarded through the Recreational Fishing Trust. The Trust takes fishing licence fees and invests them back into local community projects like jetties, boat ramps, cleaning tables, and education projects. Through these latest grants, more than $17 million will be given…

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Millions available in sport grants

Local sporting organisations are being urged to apply for grants following the opening of Round Two of the Regional Sport Facility Fund. The Fund provides grants for new and upgraded sports facilities in regional NSW, Lord Howe Island and Far West NSW. Nationals Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead said the Fund was improving sport…

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Nats minister joins COVID vaccination frontline

Nationals Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth, and Women Bronnie Taylor has gone back to her roots, joining the frontline of the vaccine rollout to protect the community from COVID-19. After vaccinating 50 locals at the Ochre Health Clinic in Cooma this week alongside one of her former colleagues, Mrs Taylor declared “Sister Taylor is…

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Fisheries crackdown nets results

Fishers who flout the law are on notice after Nationals Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall revealed a 44 per cent increase in fines since 2018, as part of the NSW Nationals in the state government’s blitz on protecting and enhancing the state’s aquatic resources. Mr Marshall said there were 3,172 fines issued in 2020 under…

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NSW Nats call for east coast ag labour taskforce

As the NSW and Australian agricultural sectors grapple with critical labour shortages ahead of a predicted record harvest season, NSW Nationals Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall has called for an overhaul of the country’s approach to seasonal work. Mr Marshall declared his intent to work closely with the Queensland, Victorian, and Tasmanian Governments to establish…

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New bridge project taking shape

Plans are powering ahead for a new $12.5 million bridge to replace the ageing timber truss bridge at Rawsonville, west of Dubbo. Nationals Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said the new bridge will be built before the existing bridge is removed to minimise the impact on the community. “The majority of the community told us…

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NSW Nationals Member for Tweed Geoff Provest

Provest asks Queensland for a “please explain”

Nationals member for Tweed Geoff Provest has accused the Queensland government of blatant hypocrisy over its border policies. Mr Provest asked how it’s possible that yesterday a plane full of NRL players, their families, and associates were allowed to seamlessly cross the border into Queensland, flying from Sydney to Brisbane, landing and disembarking without a…

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