Parliament votes for water Royal Commission after years of rural pressureIN SHORT• Independent MP Helen Dalton has secured a parliamentary vote supporting a Federal Royal Commission into water management, following years of calls from rural communities for transparency and accountability• The motion calls for full cooperation with compulsory production of all water modelling, data, licences and compliance records, formally acknowledging the harm caused to communities by current water policy• The vote puts pressure on Premier Chris Minns to act, after Parliament previously supported a Royal Commission in 2019 and a parliamentary committee recommended one in 2018Independent MP Helen Dalton has secured a formal parliamentary vote supporting a Federal Royal Commission into water management, following a successful Public Interest Debate.The motion, which passed after 40 minutes of debate, calls for immediate support for a Royal Commission with full cooperation and compulsory production of all modelling, data, licences, compliance records and intergovernmental agreements."This is a huge moment for rural communities as well as the rest of Australia," Mrs Dalton said."This Parliament has now voted to support a Royal Commission into water. That is not symbolic.""This means the Government must now act to achieve this Royal Commission and I will be putting as much pressure on Premier Chris Minns as I can in order to achieve this," Helen said.The motion formally acknowledges the social, economic and environmental harm caused by the current water management framework, harm that has been felt acutely in western NSW towns dependent on reliable river flows for agriculture and community survival."Only a Royal Commission will reveal how and why the management of our rivers systems has failed Australia for decades," Helen said.Mrs Dalton highlighted that calls for a Royal Commission are not new. Parliament debated and supported one in 2019, with current Premier Chris Minns among those who voted for it. A NSW parliamentary committee in 2018, including current senior Ministers, recommended a Royal Commission after hearing evidence from experts, irrigators and communities."We recognised the problem in 2018. We debated it in 2019. It was raised again in 2020," she said."Six years later, communities are still paying the price because governments have chosen not to act."The debate exposed concerns about flawed modelling, contested science, weak compliance and broken trust in Basin Plan implementation, issues that have direct implications for water allocations, environmental flows and the viability of irrigation-dependent communities in the lower Murray-Darling system."This is about truth," Mrs Dalton said. "We will never fix this problem, unless governments are honest about the problem.""When billions of dollars are spent and entire communities are devastated, people deserve to see the evidence. Governments must be open and honest if they want to win back the trust of voters on the issue off water,"Mrs Dalton said only a Royal Commission with full coercive powers could restore confidence, expose wrongdoing and deliver reform that puts communities, rivers and food production on a sustainable footing."If Governments have nothing to hide, they should not be afraid of a Royal Commission," Helen said.

Removing Barriers to Sorry Business: Travel Support for Aboriginal FamiliesIn ShortTravel Funding: Financial assistance is available for Aboriginal people in NSW traveling over 150km for Sorry Business.Early Application: Applicants must apply at least three days before travel to allow for processing.Local Support: Staff at the Central West Family Support Group are ready to help with paperwork in Lake Cargelligo and Condobolin.Financial barriers should never stand in the way of cultural obligations. For Aboriginal community members across the Back Country, the Aboriginal Funeral Transport Program is providing vital support to ensure families can attend funerals and Sorry Business, regardless of the distance.With local support workers stationed nearby in Lake Cargelligo and Condobolin, the program is designed to assist those who need to travel more than 150 kilometres from home to honour their loved ones.For First Nation people, attending Sorry Business is a deeply significant cultural practice. It is a time for mourning, ceremony, and honouring traditional customs. The service recognises that these obligations are essential for community healing and connection."Attending these ceremonies is an essential part of Aboriginal culture, allowing families and communities to grieve together, share stories, and honour the deceased," the program guidelines state.To ensure residents across the region can access this support, the Central West Family Support Group acts as a bridge, removing the stress of travel costs during an already difficult time.Where to Get HelpIf you need to travel, contact the nearest office as soon as possible:Condobolin Office: 6 Lachlan Street | Ph: 6895 2533Lake Cargelligo Office: 24A Foster Street | Ph: 6898 2195For more details on eligibility, visit the Transport for NSW website.

$5,000 Boost for Rural Nursing Students: Applications Now OpenIn ShortFinancial Support: A $5,000 incentive is available to cover travel and accommodation costs for Diploma of Nursing students.Rural Focus: The scholarship targets regional and remote students who face extra expenses during practical placements.Deadline: Applications for the Rural Travel Scholarship Incentive close on 2 April 2026.Aspiring nurses across the region have a new reason to pursue their qualifications. The Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) is offering a $5,000 scholarship specifically designed to ease the financial burden on rural students completing their Diploma of Nursing.For many in regional or remote communities, the cost of fuel, accommodation, and travel to reach practical placements can be a major roadblock. This incentive aims to level the playing field, ensuring that geography doesn't stand in the way of a local career in healthcare.In shires like Wilcannia,Hay and Balranald, where local hospitals and aged care facilities are the backbone of the community, attracting and retaining nursing staff is vital. By removing these financial barriers, the program encourages locals to train and remain in the bush. According to HETI, successful applicants will join a team "enriching health in millions of ways every day across New South Wales."This incentive is part of a broader commitment to regional health, with further opportunities available via the NSW Health Rural Scholarships portal.Apply Now: Detailed requirements and the application portal can be found at the HETI website

In ShortMajor Inundation: The Silver City Highway is affected by significant floodwaters near Fowler’s Gap, which recorded 66.2mm in just six hours on Sunday evening.Travel Warning: Motorists traveling from Hay, Balranald, and the Central Darling are urged to check road conditions via Live Traffic NSW; never drive through floodwaters.Arid Zone Alert: With annual rainfall typically under 200mm, dry creek beds are transforming into fast-flowing rivers, posing a major risk to isolated properties and travelers.Outback Deluge: Silver City Highway Flooded as Tropical Rain Batters Far WestSpectacular yet dangerous scenes have emerged from the far west of New South Wales as a humid tropical airmass has dumped significant rainfall across the region. The Silver City Highway near Fowler’s Gap Station is currently inundated, with rainfall totals across the district climbing as high as 118mm.The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has issued severe weather advice for flash flooding, specifically highlighting risks for communities in Tibooburra, Wanaaring, Louth, and Milparinka.While the Silver City Highway was recently fully sealed to improve flood immunity, the sheer volume of water has tested the new infrastructure's numerous floodways and low-level crossings.The Bureau of Meteorology warned that while daytime maximums remain high (30°C to 37°C), the risk of severe thunderstorms remains. These storms can bring damaging winds and large hail alongside intense bursts of rain.SES Reminder: Conditions in the outback change rapidly. If it's flooded, forget it. For emergency assistance, contact the NSW SES on 132 500. If life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

In Short:Strict Penalties: NSW landlords face up to one year in prison and fines of $165,000 for knowingly permitting illegal tobacco or vape sales on their property.Lease Termination: New powers allow landlords to bypass mediation and terminate leases immediately if a Closure Order is issued against a tenant.Organised Crime Link: The crackdown follows a surge in "earn or burn" extortion tactics and over 250 firebombings linked to illicit trade syndicates nationwide. Landlords warned: gaol time and $165k fines for illegal tobacco salesCommercial property owners are being put on notice; turning a blind eye to illegal tobacco and vape sales could now lead to a prison cell.New South Wales has joined a national crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade, introducing the Public Health (Tobacco) Amendment (Landlord Offences) Bill 2025. The laws target landlords who knowingly allow their premises to be used for criminal activity, rather than taking steps to evict non-compliant tenants.While the high-profile firebombings have largely occurred in metropolitan hubs, the supply chains for illicit tobacco often snake through regional hubs like Hay and Balranald. Local landlords, particularly those leasing to small convenience stores or mixed-retail outlets, now have a legal obligation to ensure their tenants hold a valid NSW Tobacco Licence.NSW Health Minister Ryan Park issued a reminder that the laws are designed to protect the community. "We know that the vast majority of landlords do the right thing, but those bad actors out there not only undermine legitimate business, they also expose communities to criminal activity," Mr Park said.Between January and October last year, NSW Health seized over 11.8 million cigarettes and $18.9 million worth of illegal goods. For property owners, the message is clear; due diligence is no longer optional.Under the new regime, if a shop is caught selling illegal vapes or tobacco, authorities can issue a Closure Order for up to 12 months.Key Change: Landlords can now terminate these leases with 28 days' written notice. Tenants under these orders lose their usual rights to mediation or compensation, protecting the landlord from protracted legal disputes.

AFP calls on school communities to combat rise in forced marriageIn ShortRising Reports: Forced marriage reports to the AFP jumped nearly 30 per cent last financial year, rising from 91 to 118 cases.Schools as Shield: Educators are uniquely positioned to spot ‘subtle’ behavioural changes in students at risk.It is a Crime: Forced marriage has been illegal in Australia since 2013; it differs from ‘arranged’ marriage as it involves coercion, threats, or a lack of legal age/consent.As school gates prepare to swing open across the state, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) is urging local communities to stay vigilant against a quiet but growing crime, forced marriage.Data from the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) reveals that reports of forced marriage jumped nearly 30 per cent last financial year, rising from 91 cases in 2023-24 to 118 in 2024-25.While these figures may seem a world away from the quiet streets of the Far West, AFP Commander Human Exploitation Helen Schneider says the risk is very real and often hidden."It’s a crime people often assume doesn’t happen here in Australia. But it can and it does, it could be happening in your neighbourhood and your street," Commander Schneider said.In regional towns where everyone knows everyone, the proximity of teachers to their students is a major asset in identifying potential victims. Because local educators interact with students daily, they are often the first to notice the subtle shifts that signal a child might be in trouble."Because educators interact with their students day in and day out, they get to know them at a fundamental level," Commander Schneider said. "This uniquely positions them to identify any changes in behaviour that could seem incredibly subtle to an outsider."Forced marriage occurs when a person is married without freely and fully consenting due to coercion, threats, or deception. In Australia, the legal age for marriage is 18 (or 16 with court permission to marry an adult).Key indicators for community members to watch for include:Isolation: A sudden withdrawal from school friends or social circles.Monitoring: Students who appear constantly monitored by family members or have very limited privacy.Travel anxiety: Expressing fear or concern regarding upcoming family travel overseas.Family history: Older siblings who may have left school early to marry young.Commander Schneider noted that the crime is particularly difficult to police because it often involves family members. Victims may feel a sense of conflicting loyalty or fear retribution."People may not report this crime due to a lack of awareness of their rights, a distrust of law enforcement, and a fear of retribution, especially when the perpetrators are from their own communities or families," she said.The AFP continues to deploy Human Exploitation Community Officers (HECO) to engage with at-risk areas and schools, providing advice on rights and how to seek help safely.Commander Schneider emphasised that help is available for anyone, regardless of ethnicity or gender. "If you suspect you, or someone you know at school, is being forced, threatened, coerced or deceived into marriage, please do not hesitate to seek help."How to seek help:Immediate Danger: Call Triple Zero (000).Report Concerns: Call 131 AFP (237) or use the AFP’s online human trafficking report.Support: Contact My Blue Sky or Life Without Barrier’s Forced Marriage Specialist Support Program.

The rally that wouldn't stop: A decade of dirt, dust, and $4.38 MillionIn Short:The 100% Rule: Unlike many charity events, every single dollar raised by participants goes directly to Country Hope, thanks to the organisers self-funding all logistics.A Decade of Impact: Over ten years, the rally has raised a staggering $4.38 million to provide financial and emotional support to regional families facing life-threatening childhood illnesses.Beyond the Drive: The event supports the towns it passes through, including an opening night auction that has raised an average of $10,000 to $12,000 for immediate local community needs.How Tammy and Gavin Gilbert turned a simple idea into $4.38 million for Country Hope, and why, ten years on, it's still going strong.It started with a conversation. Gavin Gilbert had been on a couple of car rallies, loved them, genuinely loved them, but something about the way they were set up nagged at him. He found out that most charity rallies didn't actually require 100 per cent of the money raised to go to the charity. Some only needed 51 per cent. The rest could go to costs, overheads, organisers.Gavin looked at that number and thought, why not just do it properly?So he and his wife Tammy sat down, did their research, and started looking at charities. A lot of the ones they looked at already received government funding. But one caught their eye, a local children's charity called Country Hope. They didn't get a cent of government funding. They were doing extraordinary work for some of the most vulnerable families in regional Australia. And they needed help.The first Riverina Outback Rally, or, as it was known back then, the Riverina Redneck Rally, raised $123,000. That was about half of Country Hope's entire budget at the time. Ten years and ten rallies later, the total sits at $4.38 million. And counting.Before you go any further with this story, you need to understand what Country Hope does. Because it's the reason everything else in this piece matters. Country Hope isn't just another children's charity. It doesn't just help the kid who's sick. It helps the whole family. When a child in regional Australia is diagnosed with cancer or another life-threatening illness, the family doesn't just face the medical battle, they face the financial one too. The cost of getting to the hospital. The cost of staying near their child while treatment happens. The mortgage that still needs paying while a parent can't work. The phone bill. The groceries. All of it.Country Hope steps in and covers those things. And because they receive no government funding whatsoever, every single dollar they get comes from people like Tammy and Gavin, and the extraordinary mob of humans who get in a car every March and drive into the unknown for five days. "They don't just help the child who's sick," Tammy said. "They help the whole family. They pay for the mortgage, they pay for the phone bill, like those sort of things. I was like, right, we want to do something that's gonna be 100 per cent."And the need has only grown. COVID didn't just test the rally itself, it increased the demand for Country Hope's services. More families struggling. More kids needing help. Which makes what Tammy and Gavin have built even more critical.Here's how the rally works. Up to 80 cars line up. Teams of two. A mystery route that nobody knows until the morning of each day, and off you go. Five days. Around 2,500 kilometres. Dirt roads, corrugated tracks, dust, heat, the occasional breakdown, and somewhere in the middle of all of it, some of the best scenery this country has to offer. This year they're starting out of Wagga Wagga, which is where they finished in that very first rally, a nice full-circle moment for the tenth event, and finishing in Bendemere, near Armadale."It's a surprise every morning where we end up," Tammy said. "They get the map every morning that tells them where we're going. And I think that's half the fun of it as well."It's not a race. It's not about speed or who gets there first. It's about the drive, the adventure, the company, and the fact that every single kilometre being covered is putting money into the hands of families who desperately need it. The teams fundraise before they go, some scraping together the $3,000 minimum, others raising tens of thousands, and then once the rally starts, the focus shifts to the communities they roll through.There's an auction on the opening night. It raises an average of $10,000 to $12,000, and that money goes directly to whatever community they're starting in. But it's not a pre-planned thing. They decide on the night, based on what's actually needed. Last year, it went to a school for kids with disabilities. "We don't decide until that night where it's going," Tammy explained. "There's no promises or anything, because it depends on what's going on in the community. It might be a family. It might be a school."The auction itself is something to behold. People paying twenty dollars for a cup. A hundred dollars for a pair of underpants with someone's picture on them. Ridiculous, beautiful, completely over-the-top generosity that only happens when a room full of people decides that the cause is worth being silly for. "We're all standing here buying auction items, paying $20 for a cup, people paying $100 for a pair of underpants that's got a picture of someone on them," Tammy said, laughing. "And it all goes to help somebody else. It's amazing what can happen when you all get together."Throughout the week, the rally mob drops into the towns they pass through, books and toys to schools, a boost to the local economy as 80 cars worth of people hit the pubs and diners. It's not organised as a grand gesture. It just happens, naturally, because that's who these people are.You might have noticed the rally used to be called the Riverina Redneck Rally. It's a good name, fun, irreverent, very much in the spirit of the thing. But Tammy and Gavin changed it to the Riverina Outback Rally, and the reason is pretty telling. When people heard "Redneck Rally," some of them assumed it was just a bunch of blokes going for a drive in the sun. A lark. A weekend away. The name didn't quite communicate what it actually was, a serious, disciplined, beautifully organised fundraising operation that happened to also be an incredible adventure.That first meeting with Country Hope was interesting, Tammy admitted. "We used to be known as the Redneck Rally. Just, you know, you going out in the sun, that sort of stuff. So they weren't sure what to expect." But after that first rally raised $123,000, Country Hope knew exactly what they had. And the name change helped clarify things for everyone else.Here's the thing that sets the Riverina Outback Rally apart from almost every other charity event you've ever heard of. Tammy and Gavin do it themselves. They don't outsource it. They don't hand it off to an event management company and take a cut. They run it, the planning, the logistics, the sponsor chasing, the route planning, the everything, so that every single dollar raised goes straight to Country Hope. It's not a small amount of work. It's essentially eleven months of the year.The rally itself is in March. The minute they get back, Tammy and Gavin sit down and write everything down, what worked, what didn't, every conversation they had, every issue that came up. Then they switch off. No phones, no emails, nothing rally-related for about three weeks, except a bit of media stuff. Then they start again. Gavin works out the start and finish points. They contact councils. They get the sanction letter from Country Hope. Expressions of interest open around June so people have nine months to fundraise."We normally have straight away, you know, at least 60 (entrants)," Tammy said. "And then within a few weeks you've got 100. So then you accept them, and you'll always lose people. That's how it works. That's how life goes."You'll have the ones who fundraise straight away, teams with $28,000 or $29,000 raised and events still running six weeks out from the rally. And you'll have the ones who turn up on the weekend before, saying they've had this going on, that going on, haven't got a sponsor yet, money will be in by Sunday. Deadline's the deadline. "You always have those," Tammy said, with the weary fondness of someone who's seen it a hundred times. "But you'll always have the ones who fundraise straight away."Some teams are quiet during the event even though they've fundraised hard all year. Others are loud and present the whole time but struggled to scrape together the minimum. “You don't know what people have going on behind closed doors,” Tammy points out. “You just make space for all of it."Because we want 100 per cent to go to the charity, we do it ourselves," Tammy said simply. "And that's what makes it work." They have children. They have grandchildren. They have their own business. And yet, year after year, they keep doing it.No one does this alone, and Tammy is the first to say so. "I'm very lucky to have an amazing group of support crew and mates and things, people who just step up and make it happen," she said. U-Haul Australia has been on board for the last nine years. They supply all the trailers. They supply the vehicles. They put two of their guys on every single trailer. They even supply the food along the way, because U-Haul also owns Country Cookies in Donald, and those cookies have become a beloved part of the rally experience.Then there's Darren, who's gone above and beyond in ways that have nothing to do with the rally itself. He organised the artwork on the U-Haul trailers, pictures of small country pubs from all over the region. Little pubs that most of Australia has never heard of, immortalised on the side of a trailer as it rolls through the outback. It's a small thing, maybe. But for a tiny pub in the middle of nowhere, seeing your building up there on a trailer driving past thousands of people? That's something.It hasn't all been smooth. Tammy is honest about that. COVID was the biggest hurdle. Making the rally happen during a pandemic, keeping it going when so many community events around the country just folded, that took grit. When they couldn't run the rally itself, they improvised. They ran a tinny run from Darlington Point to Hay to raise enough money to keep the event alive for the following year. They didn't ask for grants. They didn't hold out their hand. They just found a way.Weather has thrown its own curveballs. Last year they were somewhere that hit 46 or 47 degrees the entire week they were there. Six days after they left, the same area flooded. Roads get blocked. Plans change on the fly. You go on the bitumen instead of the dirt. You reroute. You adapt. That's just how it is. "You'll get to a place and if the roads are blocked, you just have to go a different way," Tammy said. "You just gotta put things in place to make it happen."And here's the part that nobody really talks about enough, but that might actually be the most beautiful thing about the whole rally. The people who do this aren't all the same. They're not all from the same town, or the same background, or the same tax bracket. Some teams have fundraised $28,000 or $29,000 and still have events running. Others have struggled all year just to scrape together the minimum. Some people budget for months just to afford the week itself. Others barely blink at the cost. But on that road, none of that matters. Not really."The most amazing friendships have been formed from people who wouldn't have come into contact in normal everyday life," Tammy said, and there's a warmth in the way she says it that tells you she's seen it happen, again and again, right in front of her. People from all different walks of life, thrown together by a shared road and a shared purpose, finding each other in the dust and the heat and the chaos of five days on the move. Amazing families. Kids making mates. Whole families becoming friends. The kind of connections that start on a rally and last for years, long after the cars have stopped, long after the dust has settled."You don't know what goes on behind closed doors," Tammy said. "What people have got happening in their lives. But you put all lots of different people together, and it's amazing what can happen."When you ask Tammy where she sees the rally going, she's measured about it. Things change. Insurance changes. Communities change. The world changed in ways nobody predicted. But the core of it, the why of it, hasn't shifted an inch. "We're hoping it'll continue for quite a while," she said. "I'm hoping our kids take it on. But at this stage, they're not quite ready for that. So yeah, we just take it year by year."Year by year. That's how they've done it from the start. Not with a grand five-year plan or a corporate strategy. With a dream, a stubbornly generous couple, and a mob of incredible people who get in a car every March and drive into the unknown because someone, somewhere, needs them to. "This is his dream," Tammy said of Gavin, "and he's made it happen."She's being modest. They both made it happen. But you can hear the pride in her voice, the kind of pride that comes from watching someone you love do something that actually, genuinely, matters. $4.38 million. Ten rallies. Hundreds of families helped. And somewhere out there, right now, a team is still fundraising, still planning, still believing in the dream. Not bad for a bloke who just wanted 100 per cent to go to the charity.The Riverina Outback Rally raises funds for Country Hope, a family-centred support organisation for country children diagnosed with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. For more information, visit riverinaoutbackrally.com.au

USU Demands Federal Funding Boost for NSW Local ChildcareIn ShortThe Funding Crisis: The USU reports that NSW councils have lost billions over the last decade due to "cost-shifting," forcing a choice between infrastructure and community services.Childcare at Risk: Not-for-profit council childcare is outperforming for-profit centers, yet lack of federal support is threatening the availability of quality care in regional areas and Western Sydney.The 1% Demand: The Union is calling for federal grants to be restored to 1% of Commonwealth tax revenue, alongside a federally funded apprenticeship scheme for every council.The United Services Union (USU) is calling on Senators and MPs to support a major funding boost for local councils to prevent further cuts to essential community services across the state. As the House of Representatives inquiry into local government sustainability concludes its submission phase, Branch Secretary, Graeme Kelly said workers in NSW are struggling to maintain infrastructure and services while dealing with the burden of rate pegging. "The local council is often the heart of our community," Mr. Kelly said. "But in New South Wales, for-profit Early Childhood Education Centre (ECEC) providers are more likely to fail minimum standards than not-for-profit providers like councils. “We need federal funding to prioritise local government ECEC, so families get the quality care they deserve."The union’s submission highlights that New South Wales councils have been hit by a loss of billions of dollars over the last decade thanks to cost-shifting. The USU is demanding that federal funding be tied to a commitment that councils protect good jobs with secure conditions. "We are seeing families in Western Sydney and regional New South Wales unable to find quality care because councils are being forced to choose between fixing roads and keeping childcare open," Mr. Kelly said."We need the federal government to support our calls for sustainable funding that recognises the value of council-run care".The USU is calling for federal government financial assistance grants to be returned to at least 1% of Commonwealth tax revenue and for a federally funded trainee and apprenticeship scheme where every council employs apprentices and trainees. "Working families in New South Wales are being held to ransom by a broken funding model," Mr. Kelly said."We are calling for a dedicated federal pipeline to help councils reclaim the early childhood sector, ensuring that every dollar of taxpayer funding goes toward child safety rather than shareholder dividends."

“Metropolitan Disconnect”: Chaffey Warns Gun Reforms and Looming Drought Threaten Parkes ElectorateIn ShortLegislative Pushback: MP Jamie Chaffey has voted against new gun law and hate speech reforms, arguing they unfairly target law-abiding rural owners instead of addressing the root causes of violence.Drought Warning: Recent DPI data shows 45% of NSW is currently drought-affected, with conditions expected to intensify in Dubbo, Coonabarabran, and Wanaaring by March.Call for Action: Chaffey is criticising state and federal "silence" on the worsening season, demanding immediate acknowledgment and support for shires currently under water restrictions.NSW regions are facing a dual challenge as federal legislative shifts on firearm ownership collide with a worsening seasonal outlook across the Parkes electorate, according to Jamie Chaffey MP.The Member for Parkes has reaffirmed his commitment to local constituents following a turbulent period in Canberra, as the National and Liberal Parties grapple with leadership issues Mr Chaffey said with communities across regional NSW feeling the pressure of both regulatory changes and environmental shifts, the MP suggests that the disconnect between metropolitan policy and rural reality is widening.Standing Firm on Legislative ChangesRecent weeks have seen significant debate regarding hate speech legislation and gun law reforms. Mr Coulton said that the speed at which these amendments were brought to the floor left little room for thorough consultation with the rural communities they impact most.Explaining his decision to vote against the measures, Mr Coulton said:"Through many, many personal representations, phone calls, emails and letters, people in the Parkes electorate told me they were deeply concerned about the proposed changes to hate speech legislation and gun laws. I attended Parliament with the intention of making these concerns plain."He expressed concern that the new reforms could jeopardise the livelihoods of legitimate firearm owners in the region who already adhere to strict regulations. Addressing the broader context of national security and public safety, he added:"What happened at Bondi Beach was horrendous. But kicking out in haste at legitimate firearms owners and providers who are already following rigid regulations is not the way to deal with Islamic extremists. I will continue to fight these unfair reforms."Drought Spectres and Water ScarcityWhile legislative battles continue in the capital, the immediate threat for many landholders across regional NSW districts is the rapidly drying landscape.“At home in the Parkes electorate, people are again facing the spectre of drought,” Mr Chaffey said. “The last seasonal update for New South Wales released in December by the Department of Primary Industries showed 45% of the state was in a drought category. This included Bourke, White Cliffs, Broken Hill, Menindee and a number of other areas which were listed as ‘drought-affected (intensifying)’.” “It also noted the most likely outcome by the end of March this year is for drought conditions to increase in areas including Dubbo, Coonabarabran and Wanaaring.”“A number of shires across the electorate, such as Gunnedah, Lachlan, Bogan, Liverpool Plains, Cobar, Central Darling, Narrabri, Moree Plains, Narromine, Coonamble, Broken Hill, Parkes, Forbes and Walgett have introduced water restrictions to conserve water.”“There has been a conspicuous silence from both state and federal Labor Governments in acknowledging the dry conditions facing regional communities, and it is critical that this threat is not only acknowledged, but that action is taken to assist those who are struggling.”Available Support ServicesWith the memory of the "Millennial Drought" still fresh for many, residents are encouraged to monitor their wellbeing and seek financial or agricultural advice early.Drought Hub: droughthub.nsw.gov.auRural Financial Counselling Service: Professional planning and support.Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP): Mental health assistance for regional areas.Local Land Services: Support via the Drought Adoption Officer program.Community Resilience in the Wake of TragedyThe Member for Parkes also addressed the recent tragedy in Lake Cargelligo, where a violent attack claimed four lives. Mr Coulton joined the community in mourning, while also cautioning against using the event to justify stricter licensing for law-abiding owners."The man who allegedly committed this terrible act was not a licensed gun owner and abided by no existing gun laws. Again, the evil is not in the weapon, but in the person who holds it. More must be done to protect communities from domestic violence."

Justice over reputation: NSW moves to scrap ‘good character’ sentence discountsIn Short:Sentencing Shift: The NSW Government will introduce legislation to prevent offenders from using "good character" evidence to reduce sentences in domestic violence cases.Reducing Retraumatisation: The reform aims to stop victim-survivors from having to hear their abusers praised as "good people" in court, a practice that can downplay the harm caused.Rural Support Gap: While welcoming the law change, advocates warn that without urgent investment in regional housing and early intervention, many parents in the Back Country still face "impossible choices" between safety and homelessness.For communities across NSW including the Back Country this is a step toward a justice system that actually hears victim-survivors. But as Barnardos Australia points out, a law change doesn't fix the lack of safe housing or financial security in the bush.Victim-survivors across the regions may soon find the court process less gruelling, as the NSW Government prepares to scrap "good character" as a mitigating factor in domestic violence sentencing.Under the proposed changes, expected to be introduced this week, convicted offenders will be barred from relying on evidence of their previous good reputation to reduce their sentence. The move has been welcomed by Barnardos Australia as a vital step in creating a trauma-informed justice system.For many in the Back Country, where the social fabric is tight-knit and "reputation" often carries significant weight, the reform addresses a long-standing pain point for those seeking justice.Barnardos Program Manager Mark Hoare said the change recognises the emotional toll the current system takes on victim-survivors.“Victim-survivors should not have to sit through a sentence hearing and listen to the person who caused them harm being described as a ‘good person’. That can reinforce the idea that reputation matters more than violence,” Mr. Hoare said.The reform is also being hailed as a win for the region's youngest residents. Advocates argue that children are not just "witnesses" to domestic violence, but victim-survivors in their own right.“By downplaying harm with a ‘good character’ discount, that can send a confusing message to children who are also victim-survivors rather than focusing on the harm which has been caused,” Mr. Hoare said.While the legal shift is a positive milestone, local experts warn that for families in rural and remote communities is only one part of the battle. Barnardos Australia is urging the government to pair these reforms with a "relentless commitment" to early intervention and safe housing.Domestic and family violence remains the leading cause of people seeking homelessness support. In regional areas where rental markets are tight and crisis accommodation is scarce, the choice to leave an unsafe environment is often fraught with risk.“Too many parents are forced to make impossible choices because leaving an unsafe situation could mean facing insecure housing or homelessness. People shouldn’t be faced with that choice,” Mr. Hoare said.Barnardos is calling for urgent investment in services designed to keep families safe and prevent them from spiralling into poverty, which can have life-long effects for children in our communities.

Life-saving skills for Hay families: Infant First Aid workshop announcedIn Short:Essential Skills: The two-hour course covers critical emergency responses including DRSABCD, choking, drowning, seizures, asthma, and anaphylaxis.Subsidised Access: To support local families, Intereach is offering the training for a low $20 fee.Local Event: The workshop will be held at Intereach in Hay on Wednesday, 4th March 2026, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.For parents and caregivers in our remote communities, the distance to emergency services means that basic first aid knowledge is more than just a skill—it is a necessity.Intereach has announced it will host a subsidised 'Introduction to Infant First Aid' workshop in Hay this March, designed to give local families the confidence to handle high-pressure medical emergencies involving young children.The two-hour session will provide hands-on guidance on the DRSABCD emergency protocol, as well as specific responses for choking, drowning, and seizures. With regional families often facing unique environmental risks, the course also covers critical management of asthma and anaphylaxis.Intereach is subsidising the cost of the training through its Family and Mental Health Services, allowing residents to attend for a flat $20 cash fee on the day.The workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, 4th March 2026, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Intereach office located at 173-177 Lachlan Street, Hay.Local families are encouraged to act quickly to secure a spot. Registration and further information can be obtained by contacting Deidre McCalman of the Intereach Families Team on 1300 488 226 or via email at [email protected].

‘Dismissive and out of touch’: Minister slammed over Euston health gapIn Short:Failed Response: Mayor Louie Zaffina has labelled the NSW Health Minister’s response to parliamentary questions about Euston’s health services as "unacceptable" and "fundamentally inadequate".Access Denied: Council argues that pointing residents to distant towns like Broken Hill ignores the reality of reduced cross-border access to Victorian services.Demands for Action: The Council is calling for an immediate feasibility assessment for a multi-purpose health facility in Euston and funded community transport solutions.The fight for equitable healthcare in the State’s far west has escalated, with Balranald Shire Council Mayor Louie Zaffina launching a scathing attack on the NSW Minister for Health over the lack of services in Euston.The Mayor’s comments follow a response to questions raised in Parliament by Member for Murray, Helen Dalton MP, which Mr. Zaffina described as "unacceptable, dismissive and fundamentally inadequate".For the communities of Balranald, Hay, Carrathool, and Central Darling, where distance is the greatest barrier to care, the Mayor’s frustration strikes a chord. He argues that the government is failing to account for the unique challenges faced by those living on the fringe of two state systems."The Minister's response offers absolutely nothing new to the people of Euston," Mayor Zaffina said. "It simply lists the same services residents have been forced to rely on, while completely ignoring the reality that cross-border access has been reduced and, in some cases, effectively removed".A major point of contention is the government’s suggestion that residents simply travel to other regional hubs for treatment."Pointing residents to Buronga, Balranald or Broken Hill is not a solution. It is a deflection," Mayor Zaffina said. "We are talking about elderly residents, people with chronic illness, families with limited transport options, and a community that already sits on the fringe of two state systems".The Mayor further criticised the reliance on the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Scheme (IPTAAS), stating that "telling people they can access [the scheme] is not health service delivery; it is an admission that the system is failing them".According to the Council, three critical questions posed by Helen Dalton MP regarding additional support, extra transport funding, and the assessment of a multi-purpose health facility all appear to have been answered with a "no"."The people of Euston deserve more than recycled talking points," Mayor Zaffina said. "They deserve action, accountability, and a health system that recognises they exist".Balranald Shire Council is now calling on the NSW Government to immediately commit to a formal feasibility assessment for a multi-purpose health facility in Euston, funded community transport solutions specific to the town’s needs, and practical interim measures to address the gap created by reduced cross-border access.Council has confirmed it will continue to work alongside Helen Dalton MP to advocate for the community until meaningful outcomes are delivered.

Your River, Your Future: The Fight to Save the Murray-Darling Basin Starts NowIn ShortA Decade of Change: The MDBA has released a major Discussion Paper to guide water management for the next 10 years, focusing on climate resilience rather than changing water extraction limits.Critical Challenges: While 20% of water has been recovered for the environment, the review targets urgent issues like drought, aging infrastructure, and declining native fish populations.Your Voice Matters: A 12-week consultation period is now open. Communities, farmers, and First Nations groups have until May 1, 2026, to influence the final recommendations.The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has officially launched a major review of the Basin Plan, releasing a comprehensive Discussion Paper that will chart the course for water management over the next ten years.Released on February 5, the MDBA says the Discussion Paper serves as a "foundation for dialogue," inviting farmers, town residents, and First Nations groups to weigh in on how to balance the needs of the environment with the survival of regional industries.MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville emphasized that while the Plan has delivered real benefits—including the recovery of 20% of the Basin’s consumptive water for the environment—the challenges ahead are growing."The Basin Plan has delivered real benefits, and we are starting to see improvements in some of the Basin's most important rivers and wetlands," Mr. McConville said. "But the evidence is also clear that climate change, ageing infrastructure, disconnected floodplains, declining native fish and poor water quality mean we need to do some things differently".A Changing ClimateA central theme of the review is the underlying drying trend facing the region. The MDBA notes that hotter temperatures and more extreme events, such as the 2017–2019 "Tinderbox drought," are the new reality.The Authority is not currently proposing changes to the Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDLs) - the maximum amount of water that can be extracted - but said it is instead focusing on how to build system resilience. According to The Authority, this includes exploring better ways to manage water during dry times and ensuring critical human water needs are met during extreme events.Local Concerns and Native FishFor many, the health of the river is best measured by what’s beneath the surface. The Discussion Paper acknowledges a long-term decline in native fish and proposes new options for fish-friendly infrastructure and better habitat restoration.Furthermore, the MDBA is seeking to move First Nations involvement to what they describe as "beyond consultation to genuine participation" in water planning and management.Have Your SayThe MDBA is now entering a 12-week extensive consultation period, with the Authority planning to travel throughout the Basin to listen to lived experiences."Nothing in the Review is yet settled, and we want to have a genuine conversation with communities," the MDBA stated.The feedback received will directly inform the final Review Report recommendations due to the Commonwealth Government by the end of 2026.Key Dates & Information:Submissions Open: Now.Submissions Close: 5:00 pm AEST, 1 May 2026.How to participate: Visit www.getinvolved.mdba.gov.au/2026basinplanreview or call 1800 230 067.

In Short:Federal government's $25 billion hospital funding deal announced 31 January includes $8.6 billion for NSW regional health, but distribution to remote areas like Hay, Balranald and the Far West remains unclear with no detail on how money will reach smallest hospitals.Independent MPs Roy Butler and Helen Dalton are fighting to split massive health districts, arguing 20 year old amalgamations have failed rural communities, with parliamentary inquiries underway and findings expected late 2025 or early 2026.Rural Australians die up to 13 years earlier than city residents, with an $8.35 billion funding gap between rural and urban health spending, while GP shortages and hospital service closures continue to erode local healthcare access.When Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stood before the cameras on 31 January to announce a $25 billion boost for public hospitals, the figure was staggering enough to make headlines across the country. Triple the funding of the previous agreement. More than $219 billion over five years. The kind of money that should, in theory, fix everything.But if you're in Hay waiting weeks to see a GP, or driving from Balranald to Griffith for basic specialist care, or watching services disappear from your local hospital, you might be forgiven for wondering: what does this actually mean for us?The question has become especially urgent as regional MPs push for radical change. Just weeks before the funding announcement, Member for Barwon Roy Butler introduced a private member's bill to split the Hunter New England Local Health District. "Two decades after the amalgamation that formed the Hunter New England Local Health District, it is clear it is a failed experiment in having a metropolitan based administration run medical services in rural and remote areas," Butler told NSW Parliament on 20 February 2025.Helen Dalton, the Independent Member for Murray which covers Hay and Balranald, has been fighting a parallel battle to split the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, with her bill also referred to parliamentary inquiry. During Regional Health Minister Ryan Park's visit to her electorate, Dalton didn't mince words: "We have had to sit back and watch our health services erode away to the point where our life expectancy is five years less than our mates in the city. It just not good enough."Their message from the local members is clear: throwing money at a broken system won't fix it if the system itself is fundamentally flawed.Around seven million Australians live in rural and remote areas, that's more than a quarter of the population. In NSW alone, nine local health districts serve regional and rural communities. For residents of Hay, Balranald, Carrathool and the Central Darling, healthcare means navigating the vast distances and limited services of the Far West and Murrumbidgee health districts.The 2025 Rural Health in Australia Snapshot painted a stark picture: men in rural areas die up to 13.6 years earlier than those in cities, women up to 12.7 years earlier. Nearly 18,500 people nationwide live without access to essential primary healthcare services within an hour's drive. In remote areas like the Central Darling, that hour's drive might not even get you to the nearest town with a hospital.The National Rural Health Alliance's analysis revealed an $8.35 billion funding shortfall between rural and urban health spending in 2023-24, about $1,090 less per person, per year. And that gap has widened by $1.8 billion since 2020-21.These aren't just statistics. They're real people in our communities who can't get their chest pain checked because the nearest GP isn't taking new patients. They're elderly residents waiting six weeks for a follow up appointment after hospital discharge when doctors recommended five days. They're young families driving hours for prenatal care because local hospitals no longer offer maternity services.The $25 billion federal commitment, matched by state contributions, will see NSW receive $8.6 billion for regional health in 2025-26, a 4.1% increase on the previous year. An additional $3.5 billion over four years has been earmarked for regional and rural health infrastructure, including projects in Dubbo, Forbes, and Maitland.The deal includes $2 billion specifically to help manage elderly patients stuck in hospitals waiting for aged care beds, a problem that clogs emergency departments and surgical wards in both city and country hospitals. There's also the Thriving Kids program, aiming to ease pressure on the National Disability Insurance Scheme by providing early intervention support.But here's where optimism meets reality. The Australian Medical Association, while welcoming the announcement, cautioned that "the new deal alone will not be enough to stem the decline in hospital performance without further reform." Their modelling suggests that even with this injection of funds, patients will still wait too long for emergency and essential surgery.The funding announcement doesn't specify how much will flow to the smallest rural and remote hospitals versus metropolitan facilities or larger regional centres. It doesn't explain how hospitals in places like Hay, Balranald or Wilcannia will be protected from closure or downgrading. It doesn't address whether states will reach the agreed upon Commonwealth funding share of 42.5% by 2030 or whether growth caps will be removed.While federal and state governments negotiated dollars, Butler and Dalton were fighting a different battle: restructuring how rural health is actually governed.On 20 February 2025, Butler stood in NSW Parliament and delivered a blunt assessment of the Hunter New England amalgamation. His bill to split the district gained immediate traction. The chamber was packed with regional MPs, "a rare sight," as Butler noted. Within weeks, it was referred to the Committee on Community Services for inquiry, with support from Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson, Northern Tablelands MP Brendan Moylan, and Lismore MP Janelle Saffin.The catalyst? Wee Waa Hospital. The closure of services there became a symbol of what happens when a massive health bureaucracy tries to manage dozens of rural communities from a metropolitan base. Butler's argument was simple: let country communities look after their own.In February 2025, Dalton introduced the Health Services Amendment (Splitting of the Murrumbidgee Local Health District) Bill. Her proposal would divide the sprawling MLHD into two districts, allowing more localised, responsive care. The Murrumbidgee district currently stretches from the Riverina through to areas including Hay, covering vast distances and diverse communities with vastly different needs.The Murrumbidgee Local Health District opposed the split, arguing it would cost more, deliver less, and fragment the workforce. But Dalton, who won the 2025 Uniting Political Courage Award for her advocacy on rural health and gambling reform, wasn't backing down.Regional Health Minister Ryan Park welcomed the inquiries but stopped short of supporting the splits. "I don't think dismantling the health district is the best way," he said. "The current model has advantages of funding and efficiency and importantly, access to specialist care and services. I am concerned splitting the authority in two would be detrimental to regional communities and risk exacerbating staffing challenges."It's a familiar tension: centralisation promises efficiency and resource sharing; decentralisation promises local accountability and responsiveness. The inquiries will test which matters more to communities watching their hospitals decline.Dr Lexi Campbell, speaking about the Rural Health Snapshot's release, captured the problem with brutal clarity: "Patients leaving hospital inform me they won't get into their GP for six weeks. Ideally, I'd like them to be seen by another doctor within five days."The shortage of general practitioners in rural areas has reached crisis levels. Medicare data from 2023-24 shows that GP visit rates are lowest in remote communities. When people can't access preventative care, they end up sicker, requiring more intensive and expensive hospital interventions.This is where the funding announcement becomes frustratingly vague. How will the money address the GP shortage, which is fundamentally a federal responsibility? How will it prevent the ongoing erosion of services in smaller hospitals? How will it stop the centralisation of care that sees communities left behind?A 2024 review of NSW's Small Rural Hospitals Funding Model found that more than 100 small public hospitals across seven regional local health districts face "growing financial challenges due to rising costs of providing healthcare and declining rural and remote populations." The review delivered nine recommendations, but implementation requires both money and political will.There are bright spots worth celebrating. The NSW Government's Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme offers up to $20,000 in financial packages for health workers relocating to hard to fill positions in remote areas. Midwives moving from metro NSW or interstate receive a $20,000 sign on bonus.The Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway is training doctors specifically for regional work, keeping them employed by a regional Local Health District for up to four years while they complete training in both general practice and hospital settings. This addresses the old problem of doctors ping ponging between employers, creating instability for both workers and communities.The Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme helps people who must travel more than 100 kilometres one way for specialist treatment, easing the financial burden of distance. For Hay residents travelling to Griffith, Wagga Wagga or further afield, this assistance can make the difference between getting treatment and going without.And there are innovations happening on the ground. Hospital in the Home programs are expanding, allowing patients to receive hospital level care at home, particularly valuable for elderly rural residents who would otherwise need to travel or relocate for treatment.But for every solution, there are a dozen unanswered questions. Peter Breadon from the Grattan Institute pointed out that details on how the new deal will actually shift stranded patients out of hospitals and into appropriate care remain "scant." There's no clear reform agenda to deal with ever rising costs or the mounting demands on the system.Most critically, it doesn't solve the workforce crisis. You can pour billions into hospital infrastructure, but if there aren't enough doctors, nurses, allied health workers, or specialists willing to work in rural areas, those shiny new facilities will stand half empty, and patients will still drive hours for care.The convergence of federal funding and structural reform creates a rare moment of possibility and peril. On one hand, there's $25 billion in new federal money flowing to states, with NSW receiving $8.6 billion for regional health in 2025-26. On the other, there are parliamentary inquiries examining whether the very structure of rural health governance needs to be dismantled and rebuilt.Butler put it plainly when he spoke about the increasing number of regional independents and crossbenchers: with more regional MPs now holding the balance of power, government must "really start paying attention to this issue to counter the disparity between rural and metropolitan health."He's right that pressure is mounting. Rural voices are getting louder. The evidence is stacking higher. The inequity is becoming impossible to ignore.But attention isn't the same as action, and action isn't the same as transformation.The inquiries into splitting the Hunter New England and Murrumbidgee health districts are expected to deliver findings in early 2026. The federal funding starts flowing in July 2026. Somewhere in the intersection of these timelines, rural NSW will discover whether this moment leads to genuine change or just another headline.Will the $25 billion be distributed equitably, or will it flow disproportionately to larger regional centres? Will the district split proposals reveal a path forward, or confirm the status quo? Will workforce incentives be enough to attract and retain the doctors and nurses rural communities desperately need? Will small hospitals in Hay, Balranald, and across the Far West be protected, or will they continue to lose services year by year?Will someone in a remote town be able to get the care they need, when they need it, without driving for hours or waiting for weeks?These are the questions that matter. And until they're answered, not with promises, but with real, measurable change, rural Australians will continue to wait, to travel, and to die younger than they should.The money is there now. The inquiries are underway. Regional MPs are pushing harder than ever. What we do with this convergence of opportunities will write the next chapter of rural health in NSW.

From the Dark Web to Your Living Room: AFP Agent Shares Vital Cyber Safety SecretsIn ShortElite Expertise: AFP Agent Amy Phelps, a specialist in darknet and international cyber intrusions, will lead the session.Family First: The webinar focuses on practical parental controls and safety for children across social media and gaming platforms.Open Access: Hosted by the Hay Women’s Network, the event is free and open to all rural women this Monday evening.The Hay Women's Network is set to host its most topical webinar to date on Monday evening, covering internet security and safety with Australian Federal Police Agent, Amy Phelps.The free webinar will cover information about online safety for adults and children, including: - Privacy and identification - Online gaming/social media for children and teens - Parental control options - Practical tips - Insights from a career in cyber crimeIn a world where children are online more frequently, often on platforms unfamiliar to parents, the more we know the better, says HWN Founder Bec Bunyan.“The guest for this webinar, Amy, is actually a school friend of mine and her stories of a career in cyber crime have fascinated me for years, as I know they will for others too,’' she said.Amy's work has included leading national and international investigations into darknet markets, cyber threat actors, and large-scale computer intrusions. Amy has also guided the AFP’s approach to dark web investigations and delivered training to law enforcement agencies across Australia and internationally.“You couldn't get a more qualified guest for this webinar. We're lucky to be hosting Amy and I encourage everyone to join and hear some really valuable information,” Bec said.Interested rural women can receive updates by following Hay Women’s Network on Facebook, where a link to the online webinar will be shared when available.

State-Wide Manhunt: Critical Incident Declared as Hunt for Julian Ingram Intensifies in Far WestIn Short• Critical Incident Declared: NSW Police have launched a formal investigation into the police handling and history of the case as the search for 37-year-old Julian Ingram scales up.• Focus on Mount Hope: Intelligence suggests Ingram was near a property 3km south of Mount Hope on the Kidman Way between January 24 and 25.• Specialist Deployment: Tactical Operations, Drone units, and the ADF are currently concentrated in the Hay, Balranald, and Central Darling shires.NSW Police have formally commenced a critical incident investigation as the manhunt for 37-year-old Julian Ingram enters a high-priority phase across the state’s west. In New South Wales, a Critical Incident Investigation is a formal, high-stakes process triggered when a police operation results in death or serious injury. Its primary purpose is to ensure accountability by determining if the officers involved acted lawfully and followed the strict framework of NSW legislation and internal police policies.The investigation is governed by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission Act 2016 (specifically Section 113) and the NSW Police Force Critical Incident Guidelines.The investigation is not just a "review"; it is a comprehensive inquiry led by a Senior Critical Incident Investigator from a different command to ensure independence. It must evaluate:Lawfulness and Reasonableness: Were the officers’ actions legal under the Crimes Act 1900 or Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 (LEPRA)? Was the force used "proportionate"?Compliance with Policy: Did the officers follow the NSW Police Handbook or specific standard operating procedures (e.g., Safe Driving Policy)?Procedural Integrity: The investigation itself must follow strict protocols, such as mandatory alcohol and drug testing of involved officers within two hours of the incident.Systemic Issues: Does the incident reveal a need for better training, equipment changes, or updated policies?The investigation ends with a formal report. If the investigation finds that legislation or policy was breached, it can lead to criminal charges against officers, disciplinary action (under Section 173 or 181D of the Police Act 1990), or systemic reform (changes to how all police officers in NSW are trained or equipped or act).The development comes as specialist teams intensify their presence in areas surrounding Lake Cargelligo and the Kidman Way, directly impacting rural communities throughout the Hay, Balranald, Carrathool, and Central Darling shires.The investigation, operating under Strike Force Doberta, follows the alleged shooting last month in Lake Cargelligo that claimed the lives of a 25-year-old pregnant woman, a 32-year-old man, and a 50-year-old woman. A 19-year-old man also sustained serious injuries during the incident.Internal Scrutiny and Domestic Violence ReviewThe declaration of a critical incident investigation is a procedural step designed to ensure that all NSW Police actions adhered strictly to legislation and internal policy. Beyond the search itself, investigators are now tasked with a comprehensive review of the suspect's history."Investigators will also examine the full domestic violence history of the alleged suspect and his access to firearms," a police spokesperson stated.The inquiry is being led by a critical incident team from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad. To ensure transparency, the process is subject to independent review by the Professional Standards Command and oversight by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.Police have identified a specific window of interest near Mount Hope, a key transit point for those travelling between Hillston, Cobar, and Hay.Intelligence suggests that Julian Ingram - who also uses the name Julian Pierpoint - may have been at a rural property approximately 3km south of Mount Hope on the Kidman Way between the evening of Saturday, 24 January, and Sunday, 25 January 2026.Specialist resources currently deployed in the region include:Tactical Operations Units and Regional Support teams.Rescue and Bomb Disposal units providing search coordination and drone piloting.Rural Crime investigators working alongside Central West Police District officers.NSW Police have reiterated that locating Ingram remains their primary focus and have urged the public to remain vigilant but rely on official channels for updates."Police wish to reassure the community that locating Julian Ingram remains a priority, as officers continue to investigate under Strike Force Doberta with intelligence-led policing at the forefront," the statement continued.Authorities have expressed gratitude for the logistical support provided by the Rural Fire Service (RFS), the Rapid Relief Team, and the Australian Defence Force during the ongoing operation.Public Notice:Immediate Danger: If you witness suspicious activity or fear for your safety, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.Non-Emergency Information: Contact 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Confidentiality: Information provided to Crime Stoppers is managed confidentially. The public is reminded not to report sightings or tips via NSW Police social media pages.

By Michelle Gratton - Professorial Fellow, University of CanberraThe Great Divide: Littleproud and Ley’s Failed Peace Talks Push Coalition to the BrinkIn ShortNegotiations Stall: Face-to-face talks between Liberal Leader Sussan Ley and Nationals Leader David Littleproud have failed to resolve the "untenable" split between the two parties.Parliamentary Separation: For the first time in decades, the Liberals and Nationals will sit on separate benches when Federal Parliament returns this week, signaling a formal breakdown in the alliance.Leadership Under Fire: While Ley attempts to maintain a united front against internal rivals like Angus Taylor, the Nationals are standing firm on their policy independence, leaving the Coalition's future uncertain.Nationals leader David Littleproud easily saw off a token move to spill the party leadership on Monday. But he is now under immense pressure to reach a deal with Liberal leader Sussan Ley to put the Coalition together again.Ley and Littleproud met on Monday evening. No agreement was reached but both sides described the discussion as “constructive” and said talks would continue.Earlier Liberal frontbencher Dan Tehan flagged reunification as a top priority, proposing codifying the arrangements for future behaviour, with a mechanism to resolve disputes.Littleproud split the Coalition after Ley sacked three Nationals frontbenchers who crossed the floor on the hate legislation, breaking shadow cabinet solidarity. Nationals sources said reinstating the three was a condition of a deal.Ley’s numbers man, frontbencher Alex Hawke, delivered a strong call for Littleproud to return his party into a coalition with the Liberals.Hawke told Sky: “We are urging him not to break the Coalition, because it will be the biggest own goal. It will be bigger, or as big, as the DLP split in the Labor Party [in the 1950s]."If there’s any chance or prospect of turning away from this [divided] course, David Littleproud needs to turn away from scoring the biggest own goal of all time in the centre-right of Australian politics.”The unsuccessful spill motion at the Nationals meeting came from backbencher Colin Boyce, a strong critic of how Littleproud handled events leading to the Coalition’s split that happened less than a fortnight ago. Boyce knew his motion would not succeed but wanted to make a point.The meeting carried a motion moved by Victorian MP Darren Chester, to authorise the Nationals leadership team “to negotiate in good faith” and urgently with the Liberals’ leadership to re-establish “a Coalition for the duration of the 48th Federal Parliament”.Chester said later, “After a very constructive discussion my motion was overwhelmingly supported because it’s in the best interests of the nation for the Coalition to reform and hold this government to account. I hope the negotiations are successful.”A deal would strengthen Ley’s position in the short term against defence spokesman Angus Taylor, undermining any argument he might mount that only a change of leadership could reunite the Coalition.Littleproud initially said his shadow ministers – who all quit after the three were sacked – could not serve in a Ley shadow ministry.Hawke dismissed this as “a moment of anger. I haven’t heard him repeat that claim.”Not all Liberals are anxious for a quick rapprochement, some believing the party can better appeal to inner city voters if not tied to the Nationals.The pressure on Littleproud to re-form the Coalition has been increased by a Redbridge poll in the Australian Financial Review showing One Nation polling 26%, well ahead of the Liberals and Nationals combined on 19%.One Nation’s Barnaby Joyce on Monday flagged the party would announce on Tuesday a high profile recruit defecting from another party.If the Coalition re-forms this would be the second time since the election. The post-election split was also brief.This story was originally published by The Conversation

Landmark Land Handover: Nari Nari Tribal Council Takes Stewardship of The Great CumbungIn Short• Historic Handover: The Nature Conservancy Australia has officially transferred 16,000 hectares of The Great Cumbung wetlands to the Nari Nari Tribal Council (NNTC).• Environmental Protection: The deal includes a commitment to seek Ramsar listing, recognising the site as a wetland of international importance for its 130+ bird species.• Unified Management: The acquisition sees NNTC now manage a continuous corridor of land alongside the existing Gayini and Toogimbie Indigenous Protected Areas.The Nature Conservancy Australia (TNC) has announced the finalised sale of The Great Cumbung Swamp to the Nari Nari Tribal Council (NNTC).The deal, settled after a competitive bidding process, sees the ownership of one of south-west NSW's most ecologically vital wetlands transfer to a local, Indigenous-led organisation.Details of the sale remain undisclosed however in TNC and Tiverton Agriculture originally purchased the Great Cumbung for approximately $55 million in 2019The Great Cumbung covers 16,000 hectares of Lachlan River wetlands, and part of the former cattle properties of Boyong and Juanbung, north of Hay.Located at the bottom end of the Lachlan River, it provides a crucial link between the Lachlan and Murrumbidgee systems.According to TNC the health of these wetlands and riverine forests is directly tied to the broader catchment health that sustains local agriculture and community water security.The site is a haven for biodiversity, supporting over 130 bird species.TNC says under the new ownership, the protection of this habitat will be formalised; The agreement includes a proposed permanent protection covenant and a commitment to seek Ramsar listing, which would recognise the site as a wetland of international importance.Image: DCCEEWTNC says the transition is s a natural progression for the NNTC, which already manages the adjoining Gayini and Toogimbie Indigenous Protected Area."Congratulations to NNTC on this great achievement," TNC Australia Country Director, Lara Gallagher said."It builds on their excellent conservation results achieved at the adjoining Gayini Conservation Area and the Toogimbie Indigenous Protected Area.""NNTC are exceptional conservation land managers who share TNC’s vision for long‑term conservation outcomes."We are pleased that the agreement includes proposed permanent protection of the wetland through a 16,000‑hectare covenant, along with a commitment to seek Ramsar listing as a wetland of international importance."NNTC says the acquisition is as much about the future as it is about the past.Jamie Woods, Chair of NNTC, said the management of the Great Cumbung will be guided by cultural knowledge to ensure the landscape’s restoration."Nari Nari is deeply grateful to TNC and all our partners who have supported this acquisition, helping to secure the long‑term protection of critically endangered ecosystems at a landscape scale.""We honour the contributions of our Ancestors and Elders whose deep knowledge and care for Country continue to guide efforts to restore and protect The Great Cumbung."This milestone strengthens our stewardship of this landscape and supports ongoing culturally-led conservation for future generations."Our approach will ensure the ecological health, biodiversity protection, and landscape‑scale restoration outcomes that this unique environment requires."

Have Your Say: New Rules Proposed for Our Rivers, Lakes, and Swimming SpotsIn Short• Focus on Forever Chemicals: For the first time, PFAS monitoring is being fully integrated into national recreational water standards.• Water Quality Only: The new draft removes advice on land-based risks (like snake bites and sunburn) to focus strictly on microbes and toxins.• Localised Control: Local councils will receive new tools and biomass triggers to decide more accurately when to close swimming spots.The way Australia’s local swimming spots are monitored is set for a major overhaul.The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has officially opened public consultation on the draft Australian Recreational Water Quality Guidelines. If adopted, these new standards will replace the previous 2008 framework, including threats like PFAS forever chemicals, while stripping away advice on non-water hazards like snake bites and sunburn.What’s changing?For regional communities where the local river or lake is at the heart of summer recreation, the draft guidelines herald a preventive risk management approach.Key updates in the draft include:Tougher Chemical Monitoring: For the first time, guidance on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) is being fully integrated into the national water standards. This follows growing concern over legacy contamination in regional waterways.Algal Bloom Alerts: The framework for blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) has been revised. New alert levels and biomass triggers are proposed to help councils decide more accurately when a No Swimming sign needs to go up.A Water-Only Focus: In this review, the NHMRC is moving away from a general safety model. Previous versions included advice on drowning, heat stroke, and dangerous animals. The new draft removes these, focusing strictly on water quality (microbes, chemicals, and toxins)Microbial Risks: Updated advice on faecal indicator bacteria aims to better predict when water might cause gastrointestinal illness, particularly after the heavy rain events that often wash runoff into our river systems.Why it matters to usAcross the Back Country region, relationships with water are complex. Whether it’s the cultural importance of water for First Nations communities or the simple necessity of a cool dip during a 45-degree January heatwave, the safety of these sites is important.The NHMRC states that the new guidelines are designed to be risk-based rather than one-size-fits-all. This means local authorities will have more specific tools to manage unique local hazards, such as agricultural runoff or specific chemical risks, rather than relying on outdated national averages.Have your sayThe NHMRC is calling on everyone who uses or manages recreational water to provide feedback. How to participate:Closing Date: Submissions must be in by Friday, 27 February 2026.Where to read the draft: The full document and feedback forms are available at the NHMRC Consultation Hub.The final guidelines are expected to be published in late 2026. Until then, the 2008 rules remain in place.