It’s official: Sam Farraway joins the Upper House

A Bathurst-based small businessman and longtime NSW Nationals Member, Sam Farraway has been selected by a joint sitting of the NSW Parliament to fill a casual vacancy in the Legislative Council. Mr Farraway replaced former MLC and Nationals Deputy Leader, the Hon. Niall Blair, who retired from the Legislative Council on Wednesday. The 33-year-old has…

Labor sells out farmers by opposing trespass laws

The historic Right to Farm Bill has passed the Legislative Assembly, despite Labor’s best efforts to protect vegan vigilantes. Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Jenny Aitchinson and NSW Labor sold out and betrayed rural communities by opposing the Bill, which establishes the toughest penalties in the nation for illegal farm invasions. NSW Nationals Minister for…

Nats in Government boost Farm Household Allowance

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…

Nationals To Introduce Bill To Fast-Track Dam Building

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…

Cootamundra Hospital’s New Emergency Department Opens

NSW Nationals Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has officially opened Cootamundra Hospital’s newly upgraded Emergency Department. The $461,500 overhaul has created improved access for ambulances and patients, greatly enhancing the ability of local doctors, nurses and paramedics to provide state-of-the-art services for the Cootamundra community. “This is a fantastic investment in this community, sending a…

Billion-Dollar Investment In Regional Dams

The State and Federal Nationals in Government will deliver a $1 billion water infrastructure package for rural and regional communities impacted by the devastating drought in NSW. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Deputy Premier John Barilaro said both governments had been working together to fund critical water infrastructure projects, including new and expanded dam…

Water Minister Cracks The Whip On Bureaucrats

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…

Labor Slammed By Nats MP Over Drought Doubts

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…

Parkes Logistics Terminal

Facelift For Former Sheep Paddock

Work is almost complete on the Parkes Logistics Terminal, thanks to a partnership between Pacific National and The Nationals in Government. Located at the intersection of the main western railway line running from Sydney to Perth, the future Inland Rail corridor from Melbourne to Brisbane, and the Newell Highway, Parkes was the perfect place to…

First Homebuyer Bonanza In Regional NSW

Dubbo is top of the pops when it comes to regional first-home owners, with recent data outlining the city’s status as an area of growth. First homebuyers in regional NSW have saved millions of dollars in stamp duty thanks to the NSW Government’s Housing Affordability Strategy introduced in July 2017. NSW Nationals Member for Dubbo…