The latest catch-up news, from Member for Parkes Mark Coulton

Australia Day celebrations

It was a pleasure to participate in Australia Day celebrations in Gunnedah, Boggabri and Narrabri this year.

It’s always wonderful to see our communities come together on Australia Day to celebrate those people who contribute so much to our towns and villages and to welcome our newest Australian citizens.

Congratulations to all of our new Australian citizens, as well as all of those deserving individuals and groups who received an Australia Day award this year. Thank you for all you do in helping make our communities the great places they are.

Australia Day is a time of pride and nationalism in our country – for Australia and Australians to be united, not divided. It’s a day we can come together to celebrate how lucky we are to live on the best country on earth.

Shadow Minister for Resources visit

Terrific to have Shadow Minister for Resources Senator Susan McDonald join myself and Nationals candidate for Parkes Jamie Chaffey in Gunnedah last week.

Gunnedah is one of the most productive areas of Australia, so the visit was a great opportunity to showcase to Senator McDonald the important role the region plays in Australia’s coal and agricultural production.

We toured Whitehaven Coal’s Maules Creek Mine and Manildra Group’s Gunnedah Flour Mill and met with various local mining, agricultural and business stakeholders.

Unfortunately, the resources and agricultural industries are being held back by the Labor Government through complex environmental laws, an unrealistic renewables push, high taxes and green tape. During her visit, Senator McDonald provided reassurance to the people who rely on jobs in mining and agriculture that a future Coalition Government will support those industries and wind back the policies that are threatening their job security as part of its plan to get Australia back on track.

More support for Rex

Last week the Labor Government announced it would acquire $50 million of debt from Rex Airline’s largest creditor in an attempt to prevent the airline from going into liquidation.

The Coalition is requesting a briefing on this decision to understand the details to ensure it’s in the best interest of the thousands of regional Australians who rely on Rex, including those in the Parkes electorate.

We would like to see a bipartisan approach to the retention of regional aviation services. The Government needs to ensure that the regions are not cut off from the aviation services they need and deserve.

Small business tax relief

Our regional communities are built on small and family businesses having a go. But our small businesses are struggling after three years under the Labor Government, with a record number of insolvencies, increased red tape and demands from union bosses and increasing electricity prices.

The Nationals and Liberals understand that when small businesses thrive, our communities thrive, which is why the Coalition last week announced it will cut red tape for small businesses by introducing a capped tax deduction of $20,000 for business-related meal and entertainment expenses.

Small businesses with a turnover of up to $10 million will be eligible for the measure which will run for an initial two years and be exempt from Fringe Benefits Tax.

This is a win for the small businesses spending the money on their staff or clients, and a win for the hospitality venues who will see an increased spend in their businesses.

The new deduction will apply to meal and entertainment expenses that have a connection with business activity and income, including dining and entertainment provided to clients, vendors, and employees. It’s a fiscally responsible downpayment on the Coalition’s commitment to lower, simpler, fairer taxes and rebuilding Australian businesses.