More than 140,000 students across NSW have returned to face-to-face learning for the start of Term 4. With COVID-19 restrictions eased across many parts of rural and regional NSW, 721 schools – almost a third of the state’s public schools – have welcomed all students back on site. Students have returned to COVID-safe settings that…
As we emerge from lockdown, we must embrace this time as a new beginning for our state and welcome the opportunity it presents for a refresh. I have decided now is the right time for me to hand the reins over to new leadership and resign as Deputy Premier of NSW. Serving as Deputy Premier…
The draft plan for the management of wild horses in the Kosciuszko National Park has been released for public comment. Nationals Member for Monaro John Barilaro said the release of the draft plan marks a significant step forward in striking the right balance between recognising the cultural heritage values of the wild horses while protecting…
17 government MPs from across Australia have come together to support a Private Members Bill which will see telecommunications companies made accountable for continued poor service in regional and metropolitan areas. Federal Nationals Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said an alarming number of his constituents told him horror stories about telecommunications, particularly during the recent…
Harvest contractors will be able to use the 11 freight-friendly testing sites designed to keep freight moving and drivers COVID-safe under the latest measure the NSW Nationals in the state government are rolling out to support the industry through a bumper harvest. Nationals Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said allowing harvest contractors…
The NSW Nationals in the state government have launched a new Workplace Pulse Check tool to help businesses improve their mental health support and access relevant training and materials from SafeWork NSW. Nationals Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson said by undertaking the pulse check as part of October’s Mental Health Month, business owners and…
The concrete has set on a new performance studio to seat 150 people at the Manning Entertainment Centre in Taree. The space will complement the existing 500-seat main auditorium and is jointly funded by the NSW Nationals in the federal government ($1 million), the NSW Nationals in the state government ($1.55 million), MidCoast Council ($438,000)…
Stay-at-home orders will be extended for a number of Local Government Areas in regional NSW due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health risk. The orders will be extended for the following LGAs until Monday, October 11: Bathurst Regional Bourke Central Coast City of Cessnock Dubbo Regional Eurobodalla Goulburn Mulwaree Kiama. City of Lake Macquarie City…
Schools will begin their staggered return to face-to-face learning on Monday, October 18 – one week earlier than initially planned. Nationals Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said an additional week of quality face-to-face learning for students is worth having and can be achieved in a safe and sensible way. “It’s fantastic…
A reminder that daylight saving starts in NSW this weekend. Clocks move forward an hour on Sunday morning, October 3, with 2am becoming 3am. With public health orders still in place, people are being asked to enjoy the lighter evenings responsibly to keep the community safe. Most electronic devices automatically update to daylight saving time,…
Picturesque Corcoran Park, located on the Clarence River in Grafton, is set for a major upgrade thanks to $982,000 in joint funding from the NSW Nationals in the federal and state governments. Federal Nationals Member for Page Kevin Hogan said the project will boost economic recovery and create jobs in the local community. “The project…
NSW is set to attract more than $37 billion in investment while slashing emissions by 50 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, under updated projections and objectives released as part of the Net Zero: Stage 1 Implementation Update. Deputy Premier John Barilaro said regional communities will reap the benefits of new industries set to…
Federal Nationals Member for Page Kevin Hogan is encouraging people to continue to get vaccinated, with many pharmacies signing up to administer the Moderna vaccine. “Thank you to everyone who has already been vaccinated, this is our path back to normal life,” Mr Hogan said. “So far there have been over 26 million doses administered,…
Upper Hunter Nationals MP Dave Layzell is encouraging parents, carers and community members supporting young people to attend free online mental health workshops hosted by headspace in collaboration with local community stakeholders. The 49 additional workshops will help parents and carers better understand the unique challenges young people are facing and show how to access…
Under the Reopening NSW roadmap at 80 per cent, the following freedoms will apply only to fully vaccinated adults (16+) and those with medical exemptions (staff and patrons). Gatherings in the home and outdoor public spaces Up to 10 visitors will be allowed in a home (not including children 12 and under) Up to 20…
