Since coming to Parliament in March, I have taken every opportunity to wave the National Party flag and to promote regional NSW and the people who call this remarkable part of the world home.
There is a significant volume of committee and inquiry work underway, many of which are looking into matters at the very heart of National Party concerns. Some of the inquiries I am currently involved in that have important implications for our regions are:
- The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Scheme
- Animal welfare policy in NSW
- Response to major flooding across NSW in 2022
- Homelessness in older people over 55 in NSW (Chair)
- Commencement of Fisheries Management Amendment Act
- Approved charitable organisations under POCTAA.
These inquiries have involved site visits to forestry areas on the south and north coast, several days in the flood affected areas on the North Coast and Hawkesbury, and a visit to RSPCA and Animal Welfare League facilities in Western Sydney.
The committee work is a major part of the role of an Upper House member and it’s important our views are heard in this forum. With the opposition and cross bench using these committees as a strategy to overwhelm and attack Government, Wes and I certainly have our hands full on this front. I welcome your input into any of these issues to help inform and support this work.
On the floor of parliament, I have been able to promote many of the great aspects of regional NSW as well as protect some of the areas others seek to talk down. Our regional health services are one such example. We have a network of amazing health services in NSW and remarkable staff. Along with Minister Taylor and the NSW Government, these health workers could not be more committed
to delivering better health services and improving outcomes to the people of NSW. It was an honour recently to be able to commend their dedication to the patients they care for, the hospitals they work in and the communities they serve.
The same could be said for our teachers who I have also been able to acknowledge along with the success of the 2022 Royal Easter Show; our inland rail network and rail workers; Royce Simmons for his recent walk raising funds for Dementia Australia; the recovery efforts from the Northern Rivers floods; those who produce our regional newspapers and our regional sporting clubs for the important role they play in our communities.
Biosecurity is another issue of particular importance to regional NSW and I have been able to address this on a couple of occasions, including updating the house on the imminent threat from Lumpy Skin Disease and the actions that have been taken by the NSW Government to improve our biosecurity over the past few years.
Along with my National Party colleagues I have supported legislation aimed at preventing illegal protests and disruptions to public infrastructure. Such protests place unnecessary and unacceptable risks and inconveniences on the good people of New South Wales. I have also spoken against Greens legislation regarding the proposed Koala Park, an issue further addressed in the Timber inquiry I am part of.
In between this heavy parliamentary and committee schedule, I have been lucky enough to get into the western parts of the state as the Duty MLC for Barwon. This has included visits to Cobar, Broken Hill, Bourke, Wilcannia, Coonamble, Coonabarabran, Tooraweenah, Gilgandra, Silverton, Nevertire Hermidale and Nyngan. I have visited schools, hospitals, poultry, sheep and cattle farms, music festivals, local parks, local shows and art galleries. I have met with councils, NSW Farmers, National Party branches, pony clubs and other community groups as well as taking every opportunity to chat with locals.
To be a Nationals Member of Parliament is indeed an honour. If opportunities present for me to work with you as members, please feel free to reach out so we can continue to deliver for regional people and communities.
