NSW Nationals Member for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen says a new initiative will enable local tradies to get school maintenance jobs in the region. Mr Johnsen said local tradies would be given preference with a new online system allowing businesses to engage directly with the NSW Government on projects in the region. “The online procurement…
Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier and Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has welcomed the announcement of a new, dedicated Office of Drought Response which has been formed to better coordinate support delivered by all NSW Government agencies for farmers, communities, businesses and towns affected by drought. Ms Cooke said the formation of the new Office…
The Nationals in Government continues to stand with our drought-affected farmers and regional communities. We’ve committed more than $7 billion to drought. It’s not a set-and-forget response. We continue to listen to farmers and communities affected and will continue to respond. Our National Drought Response Plan has three parts: HELPING THOSE AFFECTED RIGHT NOW First,…
NSW Nationals Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has congratulated Tamworth City Dance Academy for being named Regional Business of the Year, New England North West. Mr Anderson also paid tribute to a number of businesses and people who were recognised at the awards ceremony as well. “Businesses small, medium or large are facing some pretty…
The Federal Nationals in Government have introduced improvements to the Farm Household Allowance (FHA) to help more farmers through periods of hardship. It is the next step in responding to the independent review of FHA which will see more than 30,000 farmers able to access this immediate support. Federal Nationals Member for Page Kevin Hogan…
NSW Nationals Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders has welcomed historic legislation to facilitate declared emergency drought works and fast-track the construction of new dams across drought-stricken regional NSW. Mr Saunders said this legislation would truncate processes to fast track water projects in order to secure short-term water supply. In addition, three new dams will be…
NSW Nationals Water Minister Melinda Pavey has told public servants that if building dams was not their priority then they should “vacate the room immediately”. Mrs Pavey showed up uninvited to a private meeting between some of NSW’s most senior bureaucrats, where she delivered a fiery spray at a speechless room. “If you’re not interested…
Federal Nationals Member for Page Kevin Hogan has hit out at Labor for suggesting drought-stricken farmers don’t need drought relief. Mr Hogan made the comments after meeting with Robert Gordon, one of many local farmers impacted by drought conditions in the Kyogle area. “Labor have questioned Kyogle’s need for drought assistance. People can see for…
The Nationals in Government are continuing to work hard on delivering real support for drought-affected communities. NSW Nationals Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said there was a lot of help on the table, with emergency assistance to maintain town water supplies, ongoing financial support for farmers and regional communities, keeping teachers at drought-affected schools, as…
Schools in drought-ravaged areas across the State will not lose any staff despite more families relocating out of regional areas, NSW Nationals Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell has announced. Ms Mitchell said 220 schools would have their entitlement guaranteed by default, with a further 36 schools encouraged to apply for staffing entitlement maintenance. “This Government…