Universal pre-Kindergarten year underway in the regions

Families in Wagga Wagga, Kempsey, Nambucca, Bourke, Cobar, and Coonamble will be the first to benefit from the NSW Government’s landmark reform to introduce a universal pre-Kindergarten year of education for every child in NSW. Early childhood services in these first locations will begin rolling out the first stage of the universal pre-Kindergarten policy in…

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$6 million RFS helicopter lands in Coffs Harbour

Communities on the Mid North Coast are better protected thanks to a new multi-purpose Rural Fire Service helicopter unveiled at Coffs Harbour today. Nationals Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh joined RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers at the Coffs Harbour helicopter base to officially welcome the new asset. “Today’s announcement delivers on the NSW Government’s commitment…

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Mark Coulton’s Christmas Card photo competition winner

A stunning photograph of a bridge over floodwater near Walgett has been selected as the winner of federal Nationals MP for Parkes Mark Coulton’s 2022 Christmas Card Photo Competition. Mr Coulton said the image from Walgett photographer George Williams, entitled ‘Bridge Over Troubled Waters’, captures the old Two Mile Creek Rail Bridge at sunset, with…

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Multi-million dollar upgrade delivered for Monaro High

Monaro families are celebrating the delivery of the multi-million-dollar upgrade to Monaro High School that now provides some of the best facilities in southern NSW. Nationals Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell, Deputy Nationals Leader and local MLC Bronnie Taylor and Nationals Member for Monaro Nichole Overall were at the school to officially…

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Commemorating the fallen

Today, November 11, Australia commemorates the anniversary of the Armistice that ended the fighting in the First World War. Every year, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we mark the time and date in 1918 when the guns fell silent on the Western Front after more than four years…

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Flood Recovery Assistance for Cootamundra

A Recovery Assistance Point will begin operating in Cootamundra tomorrow (Friday, November 11) to support individuals, families, farmers and business owners recover from the recent flooding. Nationals Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said Recovery Assistance Points bring together NSW Government agencies, community organisations, and welfare bodies all under one roof. “As we transition from response…

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Coffs bypass business boost

Coffs Harbour businesses are about to get a boost from the city’s bypass, with an industry briefing being held for local subcontractors and suppliers by major contractor Ferrovial Gamuda Joint Venture. Nationals Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said with major construction to kick off early next year, the project team is keen to ensure…

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Labor rips funding from emergency personnel

At a time when Australia has been experiencing widespread and devastating flooding in multiple states, the Albanese Labor Government has chosen to rip funding from our crucial frontline workers. The Coalition Government backed our essential first responders by providing $10 million over two years to charity organisation Fortem Australia, for essential mental health and wellbeing…

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Game changing technology for wine industry

Wine producers across NSW will test a new vineyard management app to strengthen the industry’s ability to respond to biosecurity threats. Minister for Agriculture and Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the Track & Trace pilot project will be carried out in Mudgee, as well as Orange, Tumbarumba and Canberra. “Under the pilot,…

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New disaster reconstruction authority

A new authority dedicated to disaster preparedness, recovery, and reconstruction from natural disasters will be established under legislation introduced to Parliament today. The creation of a NSW Reconstruction Authority was a key recommendation of the independent Flood Inquiry, conducted by Professor Mary O’Kane AC and Mick Fuller APM. Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the Reconstruction…

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Improving access for all at Taree railway station

Access to the Taree railway station is about to improve with Abi Civil Pty Ltd awarded a contract for accessibility upgrades as part of the NSW Nationals in the state government’s Transport Access Program. Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Transport and Roads and Nationals Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead said the $3.6 million Taree station…

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Chris Gulaptis valedictory speech

There have been a few tears and plenty of laughs as Nationals Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis delivered his valedictory speech today. This is what he had to say. I feel like I am about to give my own eulogy—but no, he’s still alive, so it is actually last rites and confession. My staff and…

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Championing gender equality with landmark women’s strategy

The NSW Women’s Strategy 2023-2026 launched today, provides a whole-of-government and whole-of-community approach to improve the economic, social, physical, and mental wellbeing of women and girls across NSW. The Strategy focuses on three key pillars which will shape NSW Government policy and guide investment to ensure the best results for women in NSW. The pillars…

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Labor taxing flood grants?

Over a week has passed and there is still no clarification from the federal Labor government on whether victims of recent flooding across eastern Australia will be taxed on flood assistance grants they receive. Shadow Minister for Emergency Management, Senator Perin Davey, said the Prime Minister and Minister Murray Watt need to be more transparent…

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