Volunteer Grants now open

My office is now accepting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the 2024-25 Volunteer Grants round.

Volunteer organisations can apply for grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 to support their communication or insurance needs, or to fund purchases and activities which will benefit children under 18.

Some major changes have been made to this year’s Volunteer Grants, so it's important to check out the guidelines before submitting an EOI. EOIs must be returned to my office by 5pm AEDT Friday 10 January. For more information and to download an EOI form, visit: www.markcoulton.com.au/expressions-of-interest-now-open-for-2024-25-volunteer-grants/

Special presentations to local veterans

Last week it was great to have Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Barnaby Joyce join me and Nationals candidate for Parkes Jamie Chaffey in Moree and Narrabri to make some special presentations to local veterans.

In Moree, we presented Commemorative Medallions to the families of three World War II veterans – Noel Arthur Dean, James Carl Shepherd and Willian Henry Norman. The Commemorative Medallion was an initiative established by the former Coalition Government to acknowledge the significance of the 75^th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in 2020 and is a small but meaningful way we can thank veterans who fought during that conflict.

In Narrabri, Vietnam veteran Brian Bowman from Dunedoo was presented with the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal on behalf of the former Republic of Vietnam as an appreciation for fighting with them against communist forces during the Vietnam War. This was a very significant medal for Brian, and I was pleased to see how proud he was to receive it after all these years.

It was an honour and a privilege to be able to thank Brian and his family, as well as the families of the three World War II veterans, for their service and sacrifice.

During Barnaby’s visit to the electorate, we also met with Moree Plains Shire Council to discuss the need to complete the Inland Rail.

Regions to benefit from new housing policy

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud last week announced that 30 per cent of the Coalition’s $5 billion Housing Infrastructure Programme will be set aside for investment in the regions.

This funding will be used to invest in shovel-ready infrastructure to unlock new homes in regional, rural and remote Australia.

I know councils across the Parkes electorate are keen to be part of the housing solution and have projects ready to go to develop more homes but lack the funding needed for the enabling infrastructure like water, power, sewer and road upgrades.

This will hopefully provide councils with the incentive they need to progress housing projects and ensure our towns have the homes required to support the growth of our regional communities.

Relief on offer for local publishers

It's no secret that I am a big supporter of the locally owned news publishers in the Parkes electorate, which is why I have welcomed the announcement of the government's News Media Relief Program which provides a proportion of salary costs for journalists producing online news content.

Every little bit helps, and I know that there will be many regional publications looking to apply for this program to keep their journalists employed, with $13,000 on offer per eligible full time equivalent journalist.

Rural media continues to be dealt a shocking blow by corporate takeovers, but our locally owned papers are in safe hands and this funding is a positive step to keep regional media thriving.

Funding is available on a first come, first served basis. For more information and to apply, visit: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/news-media-relief-program