Honours for Nats’ statesmen

Congratulations to John Anderson and Larry Anthony, who’ve been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday honours. Mr Anderson – the former federal Nats’ leader and Deputy Prime Minister – has been appointed a companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AC) It’s the country’s highest Queen’s Birthday Honour. The citation reads “For eminent…

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Country shows to shine

The Young, Bribbarree, and Murrumburrah Harden Shows are all set to shine brighter than ever this year thanks to the NSW Nationals in the state government’s Country Shows Support Package. This package has already delivered funds to many of the shows held across the Cootamundra electorate, supporting shows that have had several challenging years of…

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Nats deliver frontline funding to fight biosecurity threats

The NSW community, environment and economy will be better protected against growing biosecurity threats with a record $163.9 million in the 2022-23 NSW Budget. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said focusing on biosecurity measures is critical when it comes to the protection and ongoing strength of regional communities. “The regions continue…

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Funding to get local sport back in the game

Sporting clubs in the Upper Hunter electorate have received funding for new equipment, programs, and facilities to get more people involved in sport following the awarding of grants under the NSW Nationals in the state government’s Local Sport Grant Program. Over 800 sporting organisations across the state will share in $3.9 million funding through the…

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100 days on – flood repairs powering ahead

Three months after unprecedented floods devastated parts of NSW, the mammoth effort to repair regional road and rail links is powering ahead. Nationals Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said Transport for NSW crews have been working around the clock to reconnect communities since the first wave of extreme weather triggered the February-March…

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Record agricultural exports defy disruptions

Australia’s agricultural exports are set to hit a record $65 billion in value in 2022-23 as total production tops $80 billion for a second straight year. Executive Director of ABARES Dr Jared Greenville said the sector would weather input and supply chain challenges to produce $80.4 billion in commodities on the back of favourable conditions…

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Increased pay and $3,000 bonus for health workers

The NSW Government has announced a new public sector wages policy to provide increased pay for public sector employees including nurses, teachers, and paramedics. The new two-year policy provides among the highest public sector wages growth in the country with employees offered a 3.0 per cent remuneration increase per annum in 2022-23 and 2023-24, with…

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The nation’s largest-ever health workforce boost

A record 10,148 full-time equivalent staff will be recruited to hospitals and health services across NSW over four years, in the nation’s largest-ever health workforce boost, as part of the NSW Government’s 2022-23 Budget. 7,674 more workers would be recruited in the first year, which will help ease pressure on COVID-fatigued health staff and fast-track…

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Stunning new walk opens in the Snowies

The second stage of a world-class multi-day walk, featuring the country’s highest suspension bridge between Guthega and Charlotte Pass in Kosciuszko National Park, is now complete. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the spectacular new nine-kilometre track along the upper Snowy River is helping to establish the region as a key…

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Rates relief for flood victims

Thousands of ratepayers whose properties were damaged in this year’s devastating floods will receive rates relief, thanks to a $40 million funding package from the NSW Nationals in the state government. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said ratepayers in any of the seven Northern Rivers Local Government Areas (LGAs) who made…

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Locals have their say on proposed Nundle windfarm

A proposed windfarm in the Nundle area containing 65 turbines continues to attract community interest. The project was first proposed for the region in 2018 and taken over by Engie Hills of Gold in 2020. Nationals Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the windfarm proposal has been the subject of intense debate both for and…

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Certainty for North Coast timber processors

Timber processors on the flood-affected NSW North Coast have been given certainty to invest in their businesses and equipment, following the NSW Nationals in the state government’s announcement of a five-year extension to existing wood supply agreements. Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the additional five-year deal has aligned the expiry date for all timber supply…

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Road and bridge improvements for Dungog

Motorists in Dungog Shire are seeing the results of initiatives being delivered to improve safety on local and rural roads. Upper Hunter Nationals MP Dave Layzell has hosted Nationals Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway on a tour of the vital works being delivered by Dungog Shire Council to reduce its backlog of…

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New lights unveiled at Dungowan Recreation Ground

The Dungowan Cowboys are training under new lights after works were completed on the $186,881 Dungowan Recreation Ground lighting project, funded by the NSW Nationals in the state government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund. Nationals Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson attended the Cowboys training session to see the lights in action. “The Cowboys have a fantastic…

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