“Proudest day of my professional life”

Queensland M.P David Littleproud has been elected the new leader of The Nationals. M.Ps met in Canberra, electing Mr Littleproud as leader and NSW Senator Perin Davey as Deputy Leader. Bridget McKenzie has been re-elected the Nats’ Senate leader. David Littleproud was born and raised at Chinchilla in Queensland. For 20 years he owned a…

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The Sir Earle Page Memorial Trust lecture

Sir Earle Page was one of the founders of the Country Party of Australia, which went on to become the National Party. Sir Earle, who served briefly as Prime Minister in 1939, was the third longest-serving M.P in Australian history, spending just shy of 42 years in the parliament. The Sir Earle Page Memorial Trust,…

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Rural financial counselling service extended

Farmers will continue to benefit from free, independent financial planning and support thanks to the NSW Nationals in the state government. Nationals Member for Dubbo and Minister for Western NSW Dugald Saunders has announced an additional $5 million over the next three years to continue the NSW Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) across NSW. “There…

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Nats connecting thousands of regional students

More than 220,000 students in regional and remote areas of NSW are benefiting from the NSW Nationals in the state government’s $365.8 million Rural Access Gap (RAG) program, supplying digital devices to break the digital barrier and lead a tech revolution. Nationals Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell has met students and teachers…

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Funding to fireproof Black Head Surf Club

The NSW Nationals in the state government have announced $122,881 to upgrade facilities and improve accessibility at Blackhead Surf Life Saving Club, allowing it to operate as an emergency evacuation centre. Nationals Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery, Steph Cooke, said the project would reduce the risk of the clubhouse…

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New $470,000 firefighting truck for Forster

Myall Lakes’ newest emergency services asset has arrived in Forster, with Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters receiving a $470,000 state-of-the-art truck. Nationals Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the Compressed Air Foam System (CAFs) Class 2 Pumper allows firefighters to tackle structural, chemical, petrol and grass fires…

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Greens water push will destroy river communities

The Greens are already putting demands on the Albanese Labor Government to rewrite the Murray-Darling Basin Plan to the detriment of Basin communities. Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is not only trying to write the ALP’s water policy, but also dictate their Ministry demanding a South Australian Minister be appointed to oversee the Murray-Darling Basin Plan…

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Millions to keep students safe in the Tamworth region

The Tamworth region will receive more than $5.2 million for vital work to improve safety in school zones as part of the $40.8 million School Zone Infrastructure Sub Program, funded by the NSW and Australian governments. Nationals Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said the infrastructure upgrades will help pedestrians and motorists share the roads…

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Facelift for 92 year old Upper Rouchel bridge

The state-significant Junction Bridge at Upper Rouchel is to be brought back to its former glory. Nationals Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell said the rare Harvey Dare truss structure provided an important link for the local community, and rehabilitation works starting next week were needed to ensure it continued to give safe and reliable…

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Gunnedah hospital update

Work on the $53 million Gunnedah Hospital redevelopment project continues with further consultation sessions planned over the coming weeks. As the date nears for the release of the concept design, the project team will be back on the ground in Gunnedah meeting staff to commence developing the schematic designs. Nationals Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson…

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$6 million boost for recreational fishing industry

The NSW Nationals in the state government have announced a boost for recreational fishers, with 40 new projects to receive funding from the Recreational Fishing Trusts. Nationals Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Dugald Saunders said a wide range of applications have been received from fishing and community organisations, local councils, and universities across the…

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Labor’s plan for the regions exposed

With less than 48 hours until polls close, we’ve finally found out how Anthony Albanese plans to pay for his never-ending list of promises for the big cities – by slashing money for the bush. Whether it’s grants for men’s sheds, sports fields, halls and children’s centres from our $350 million Regional Community Development Grants…

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