In story headline: Member for Farrer Sussan Ley responds to the recent budget announcements.“The label I’m mostly hearing on this latest Labor budget is ‘underwhelming’. I would add the word ‘staggering’.  “In over 20 years, I am staggered so see a Federal Budget which completely forgot to include anything for regional Australia.“There is no ongoing funding for the vital Growing Regions program, Stronger Communities program, Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program and the Regional Precincts and Partnership program.“There was literally nothing extra for the road work and maintenance NSW and our local councils are crying out for. “The Albanese Government is continuing with wildly expensive water buybacks instead of allowing us to get on with farming and food production. And they remain hell bent on a renewable energy path instead of a sensible energy mix.  “So, what’s Labor’s answer? A tax change giving you 70 cents a day in ONE year’s time, and an energy rebate which is a fraction of the cost of your power bill.“Labor also seems to forget 30% of Australians live outside the capitals, and we all get a vote on election day.“Under a Coalition Government, regional Australia will again receive its fair share of funding and get back to the core business of good government, for all Australians.”

$4000 a year saved by the average family after budget announcementBy Stephanie GardinerLandmark childcare reforms have been firmed up in the federal budget, although calls to improve services in rural Australia have gone unanswered.The average Australian family will save more than $4000 a year in childcare fees as the federal government moves towards universal access to early education.Pressure has long been mounting on governments to improve childcare accessibility and affordability to bolster productivity, workforce participation and children's early development.The federal budget, handed down on Tuesday night, confirmed landmark funding, including the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund to expand and build new services in under-served areas.The replacement of the activity test with a three-day guarantee, which allows families to access 72 hours of subsidised childcare per fortnight regardless of parents' level of work, was also locked in.First Nations families will have a greater entitlement of 100 hours per fortnight.More than $2 million was set aside over two years to draft a business case for the government to own and lease childcare centres, with $500 million earmarked for future funding.Education Minister Jason Clare said the early learning reforms also cut out-of-pocket expenses, with the average family saving $4400 per year."The government knows every stage of education is vital because we need to give the next generation of Australians the best start in life and the strongest foundation for success," Mr Clare said in a statement. The government was "charting a path to universal early education and care, regardless of a child's background or where they live," Treasurer Jim Chalmers said in his budget speech to parliament.Though the sweeping early education reforms have been largely embraced, lobby groups had been hoping for further funding to recognise the unique needs of rural families.About 2.8 million regional Australians live in a childcare desert, with services some regional and remote areas declining in recent years.Several organisations, including advocacy group The Parenthood, had called on the government to fund mobile services for rural families who may live hundreds of kilometres from their closest centre or playgroup.The National Farmers' Federation has urged the opposition to back the government's early education fund, saying regional communities rely on childcare to keep essential services and small businesses running.

Health care in the bush gets a funding boost in the BudgetBy Stephanie GardinerRural health funding is a centrepiece of the federal budget, though measures to boost the number of doctors and clinics are modest after decades of disparity.Rural Australians will get better access to medical care, hundreds of extra doctors and higher wages for essential workers under a budget designed to bolster the booming regions.Healthcare is a centrepiece of the Albanese government's regional budget, with $265.4 million over four years to expand general practitioner training and ease the doctor shortage.That will open up 200 training places per year from 2026, increasing to 400 from 2028, with half to be in country areas.The regions will also get 17 Medicare urgent care clinics under a continued program to build 50 services across the nation over the next three years.Funding for online mental health services - which are used by country Australians in far higher numbers - will be continued with $46 million over four years.Despite funding in key areas of rural health, many of the measures are modest after decades of disparity and centralisation of services.Financial modelling commissioned by the National Rural Health Alliance has shown there is a $6.55 billion annual underspend on health in the regions compared to the cities, or roughly $850 per person.The federal budget, handed down on Tuesday night, also confirmed the government will spend $2.5 billion to increase the minimum award rate for aged care nurses after a Fair Work Commission wage decision.More than a third of that workforce is in the regions.Measures to improve access to childcare, including half a billion dollars to build new centres in under-served areas, were also locked in.The lack of access to early education in country areas, where 2.8 million people live in childcare deserts, has been described as a handbrake on regional productivity and women's workforce participation.Health inequity has long been identified as a major barrier to sustainable growth in regional Australia, which is the centre of the nation's growing renewable energy sector."Building Australia's future means building on the strength of our regions," Treasurer Jim Chalmers said in his budget speech to parliament.Funding to improve digital connectivity, including improved NBN services to 334,000 regional homes and businesses was also confirmed. 

“In the Albanese Government’s last Budget, Labor has once again cut funding to regional, rural and remote Australians in the Parkes electorate.,” Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said.Mr Coulton said there is absolutely nothing in this Budget for regional Australia, other than more cuts.“Labor has no new funding for the Stronger Communities Program, Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, Growing Regions Program and the Regional Precincts and Partnership Program, critical to building community infrastructure in regional Australia,” Mr Coulton said.“Labor has again deferred $190 million in funding for Paradise Dam, Hughenden Irrigation Scheme and Big Rocks Weir, while hiding the cost of its Murray-Darling Basin Plan.”Mr Coulton said Labor is obviously raiding what was left of regional community programs to pay for 41,000 new Canberra public servants. The Budget has no money for extra childcare places in the Parkes electorate or anything to fix a few roads or even a pothole.“Even after being in Government for three years, the Albanese Government will spend less than one per cent of Labor’s infrastructure announcements in 2025-26. Regional Australians in the Parkes electorate will not only bear the brunt of more infrastructure cuts, but have the extra burden of Labor’s cost-of-living crisis.“Labor’s $150 energy rebate is a fraction of the cost of energy bills that have increased by up to $1300 since Labor came to government. The proposed 70 cents a day election bribe doesn’t come in until next year, while Labor continues to run away from fixing the fundamentals of what is driving cost-of-living pressures, that regional Australia can be the solution to.“The key to this is a sensible energy policy, which in the short-term is flooding the market with Australian gas and in the long-term transitioning to nuclear energy, which is $263 billion cheaper than Labor’s all-renewables approach. Under a future Coalition Government, regional Australia in Parkes won’t just get its fair share of funding, it will also be the solution to solving the nation’s cost-of-living crisis.”

This story contains details which may be disturbing.A 21-year-old man from Broken Hill has been formally accused of multiple animal cruelty offenses after disturbing videos surfaced online.Police in the Far West region of New South Wales launched an investigation after becoming aware of the footage on Sunday, March 30.The videos, shared widely on social media, allegedly depicted various acts of cruelty inflicted upon both farm animals and native wildlife.One video reportedly showed the kicking of a young goat, while another showed the repeated punching and body slamming of a kangaroo.Authorities from the Barrier Police District and the Rural Crime Prevention Team conducted a joint investigation into the matter.Their efforts led to the execution of a search warrant at a residence in Broken Hill on Tuesday, April 1, at approximately 4:00 pm.Following the search, the 21-year-old man was apprehended. He has since been issued a Court Attendance Notice for five counts relating to the torture, beating, and causing prolonged suffering to animals.A senior police officer from Broken Hill said that the police acted promptly upon learning about the videos and immediately commenced an investigation. The officer emphasised the charges laid reflect the evidence gathered during the investigation, particularly the content of the social media videos.Police are currently seeking any additional information the public may have regarding the videos. While their investigation has not yet indicated the involvement of other individuals, they urge anyone with relevant details to contact CrimeStoppers or Broken Hill police5.The police have also cautioned against any acts of vigilantism towards the accused, stating that such actions would be dealt with swiftly. The case is now proceeding through the judicial system, and the man is scheduled to appear before the Broken Hill Local Court on Tuesday, May 13.

The 72-year-ol was convicted at Griffith Court"It's no joke for a young woman to be humiliated in that way."Those were the words issued by Magistrate Pauline Wright towards a 72-year-old convicted of sexually touching someone without their consent.Victorian resident Michael Ford was found guilty in Griffith Local Court on March 19.He was charged with sexually touching a woman at the 2024 Homebush Rodeo in Balranald.Ford plead not guilty to the charge on September 1, 2024, but changed his plea to guilty on March 4.Ford’s solicitor Paul Keane said the defendant had recently separated from his wife and while he had a criminal record, his rate of offences had “slowed down”."He has seriously slowed down in regards to criminal matters," Mr Keane said.Ford was fined $1500 for the act and placed on a community corrections order for 12 months.

“Fixing the scourge of unpaid super is urgent” Super Members CouncilIn the recent budget announcements, the Government confirmed crucial payday super reforms are on track to start from 1 July 2026, with Budget papers reaffirming the timetable and a MYEFO investment of $404 million to meet it.It also unveiled a surprise $9.7 billion super revenue windfall in extra tax due to stronger projected investment returns by super funds. The Super Members Council advocates this tax windfall should swiftly fund a $500 million-a-year super boost to strengthen retirement for 1.2 million low-income Australian workers.But while tonight’s Budget included several cost-of-living measures, lower-income Australian workers continue to miss out on the tax-breaks that would help lift living standards in retirement.The Low-Income Super Tax Offset (LISTO) has been frozen since it was introduced 13 years ago, effectively cutting the super tax benefit for some of the nation’s lowest-income workers.Almost two-thirds of LISTO recipients are women – making a push to lift the LISTO a targeted measure to help close the super gender gap.Super Members Council CEO Misha Schubert said delivering the historic payday super reforms on time will be a game changer to ensure $5 billion a year in unpaid super is paid and the law is upheld.“Fixing the scourge of unpaid super is urgent – the 2.8 million Australians who miss out on some or all of their super contributions each year cannot afford to wait a day longer for these reforms,” she said.“And for 9 million Australians, having super paid on paydays – not four times a year – will mean they start earning compound investment returns sooner, delivering an extra $7,700 on average by retirement.”“Strong bipartisan support for this reform will be crucial to its success and we urge the Opposition to also commit support for the legislation. We’ll continue to work closely with the Parliament, business leaders and other stakeholders to ensure these reforms are successfully implemented by 2026.”This Budget unveils an extra $50 million investment to continue a current Australian Taxation Office tax compliance taskforce covering both wages and super. It is expected to help return an extra $31 million in unpaid super to workers.SMC renews its urgent call for the Low-Income Super Tax Offset to be boosted, to ensure lower-paid Australians get a fairer tax break on their super.SMC analysis shows the lowest paid Australians have missed out on a combined $2.5 billion since 2020 because LISTO has not kept pace with changing tax brackets and Super Guarantee rate.By raising this payment from $500 to $810, and by paying the tax offset for workers earning up to $45,000 a year (the current income cut-off is $37,000), this Budget could have started to strengthen retirement for more of the nation’s lowest-paid workers.“Lifting the LISTO would make a big difference to the retirements of lower-income Australians – boosting the super balances of some of the nation’s lowest-paid women by 21%,” Ms Schubert said.“Giving 1.2 million low-income Australians a fairer deal on super tax will strongly boost their incomes in retirement – delivering more financial security after a lifetime of hard work.”“For a worker who stays in the second tax bracket throughout their career, this tax cut could add an extra $60,000 to their retirement.”Another super priority not addressed in tonight's Budget is removing an outdated law denying most teen workers up to $10,000 from their retirement savings.Under-18s currently are not guaranteed super contributions unless they work more than 30 hours a week, due to a discriminatory rule, which is also challenging for businesses to administer.Ms Schubert urged the Government to prioritise abolishing the 30-hour threshold and guarantee all young Australian workers get a super start to work.“Australians strongly support universal super – and know it’s a workplace right. Super should be for everyone, paid from the first hour of your first job. Fixing this outdated exclusion is long overdue.”“As every smart investor knows, it’s the dollars you invest earliest that work hardest to grow your compound returns. Every Australian worker, at every age, deserves the right to set themselves on the path to a dignified retirement,” she said.“Super is Australia’s economic stabiliser – the investment of the savings of millions of everyday Australians powers Australian business and creates new jobs. Securing the system’s fundamentals and making super even stronger and fairer is key to Australian prosperity.”

The Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP) ended at midnight on March 31 for most of NSW. Fire agencies and land managers in these areas where the BFDP has ended will now turn their attention towards conducting hazard reduction works, which includes planned burning across many areas of the state where and when possible. Operational Officer MacKellar said all members of the public must still abide by the law when conducting their own hazard reduction burns. “From Tuesday April 1st, 2025, fire permits will no longer be required for the Narrandera, Leeton, Carrathool, Griffith, Hay and Murrumbidgee Local Government Areas,” Operational Officer MacKellar said. “Even though a fire permit is no longer required, residents must still notify their neighbours and the local fire authority 24 hours before burning. “Before lighting up, people should also check whether they need a Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Certificate and have sufficient equipment on hand to control and contain the fire to their property. “If fire services know about a planned burn, it can help prevent unnecessary responses from local firefighters when we know it is planned and controlled. “Despite these milder conditions, there is always the potential for fires to threaten life, property and the environment, if they are not managed correctly.” Operational Officer MacKellar said the local community should not become complacent to the danger of bush and grass fires, even with mild local conditions. “I urge all residents to take the threat of bush fire seriously and to prepare their families and home now,” Operational Officer MacKellar said. “Your local fire station or Fire Control Centre can provide advice on how to safely undertake hazard reduction work and how to best prepare yourself, your property and your family for the next bush fire season. “The first thing you should do is review your bush fire survival plan and discuss it with your household.” To notify of your intent to burn off, use the online burn notification tool at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/notify.

Far West power outage inquiryIn the first week back in Parliament, I gave evidence at the inquiry into the power outages in Broken Hill and other Far West communities. Conducted by the Committee on Environment and Planning, chaired by Clayton Barr the Member for Cessnock, the inquiry is looking into the preparation and mitigation strategies of electricity providers, and the response by government agencies. In my opening statement I talked about how in the initial phase of the emergency there were problems with people planning but not making decisions, also that communications - vital in a crisis when you need reliable, up-to-date information - were hampered by the lack of connectivity brought on by back-up systems failing. I also talked about how my team were able to provide response teams with contacts to reach out to the community, also how the community pulled together during the emergency, and I discussed some of what is currently in place but what more is needed for backing up power in the far west.I look forward to seeing the committee’s report. They are no longer taking submissions but you can read some of the evidence given and some of the submissions lodged here https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/inquiries/Pages/inquiry-details.aspx?pk=3084To hear some of my evidence you can go to my website www.roybutler.com.au/video_clips Volunteer of the Year AwardsOften we don’t think of how much volunteers contribute to society. Whether it be in emergency services, in schools, hospitals, charities, running big community events or taking part in a multitude of other unpaid roles, they are always there making the world a better place. They come from all walks of life and fulfil a vast range of roles, a lot of which most people don’t hear about. But they don’t do it for the glory and they often don’t get the recognition they deserve, so I am urging people to think of a volunteer they know or have heard about and nominate them for the Volunteer of the Year Award. Nominations close on May 23, 2025 at 5pm.Go to https://www.volunteering.com.au/awards/about-the-awards/Census Data is inaccurate.During the sitting weeks in March, I delivered a Private Member’s Statement on a not-too-sexy topic - census data. The last census was in 2021 and it was a bit of a dog’s breakfast. In Barwon there were people who never received their forms, some were delivered to the wrong places, there were people who due to poor connectivity were unable to fill out the form online. The last census was also conducted just before the economic upturn from the recovery of country areas after the drought, and the effects of people making a tree change because of Covid. The problem is that planning decisions are being made by government agencies based on the erroneous census data. Which is having some I have spoken about this before, but it is worth revisiting because nothing has changed. Government agencies still rely on outdated data to plan how to budget for and resource regional areas.In my speech I talked about some of the data that we could be looking at to tell us about how the population has changed since the census, including mobile phone connections, accommodation numbers, rental markets, even people filling up on petrol on the way to a particular destination. We need to get better at collecting this sort of data, none of which needs to identify individuals but will give us a sense of how many people are in a given place at a given time. Particularly during big events like the St Pat’s Day Races at Broken Hill, when thousands more people are in the city but there are no provisions made for putting extra shifts on for ambulance workers, for example.Big cities can usually absorb a few thousand extra people at a time, but it will often overwork the existing resources of a rural or remote town.We need to better, more accurate and up-to-date information so that we can properly plan, we can’t just wait for the next census.Notice of Motion on vehicle tax changeIt seems a bit of no-brainer to say that there are many aspects of life that differ for people living in the country, but it is always worth reminding Parliament of some of the specifics. For one thing, living in the bush means having to buy vehicles capable of driving on unsealed country roads and of negotiating the landscape on properties where there are no established byways.People in the country need mostly heavier 4WD drive vehicles, which also means they end up paying higher taxes and fuel costs.To help raise some awareness of this during the March sitting period, I moved a notice of motion in the NSW Legislative Assembly asking that the House:Acknowledges that many people in the bush need to drive heavier, 4WD vehicles just to get around.Agrees that people in regional NSW pay more fuel excise through driving bigger vehicles and driving longer distances.Notes that incomes in regional NSW are lower than in Sydney or most of the east coast.Asks that weight-based vehicle tax be capped for specific regional postcodes to reflect a standard sedan vehicle weight tax.But it won’t end with a Notice of Motion, I am also having a bill drafted to reflect this motion. Bush Babies MatterThis week I met with Jen Laurie, a mental health professional who runs HerHerd, a practice supporting rural women on the various stages of their motherhood journey. Jen’s practice is based in Armidale and Uralla, but she reaches out much further through Telehealth.Jen has recently launched a petition titled “Bush babies matter” asking for a restoration of maternity services in the bush. This is a cause that is of particular concern in Barwon, where there are few places that a woman can confidently give birth. It is something I have spoken on before in Parliament and I hope to see the petition gain enough signatures to bring it back before the Legislative Assembly. I will be helping Jen in any way I can, and I urge you to sign the petition: www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/Pages/ePetition-details.aspx?q=9GuFd35ngbLKbL4bLXz0bwFirearms Notice of MotionFirearms are a fact of life in NSW, especially in regional areas where they are an essential tool for dealing with feral pests and for other purposes. But despite rarely being a problem in terms of gun related crime, law abiding firearms owners (or LAFOs) are often associated with criminal use of firearms. People’s perceptions are often influenced by a Hollywood view of firearms, what they see in films or in TV series, which can affect policy directed at LAFOs. My Notice of Motion asked Parliament for a fairer and more respectful deal for LAFOs.Wally Mitchell Community Recognition StatementLast week in Parliament I paid tribute to Wally Mitchell, the former Mayor of Bourke, who is a bit of a legend in the region. Wally was the longest serving councillor on Bourke Council for 38 years before his retirement in 2012, twelve of which he spent as Mayor.His life has long been dedicated to his community. He was a founding member of the Isolated Children’s Parents Association. Wally was a board member of the Rural Counselling service for 19. He is the last surviving inaugural committee member of Louth Turf Club and is still active in the club.Has been an active member, and still is, of Louth Chamber of Commerce for many years.Still carrying out voluntary community work in Louth Village.In recognition of everything he has done for Bourke, he was named Bourke’s Citizen of the Year in 2018 and in 2019 awarded an Order of Australia.There is probably not a person in the Bourke district whose life has not been affected positively in some way by Wally. I congratulate Wally on his lifetime of achievement. Thanks for your unselfish and tireless service to your community.Students and Youth Programs at NSW Parliament Festival of DemocracyThere was a recent news story saying that many Australians didn’t know the basics of how our political system operates. Civics is an important thing to learn, if only so you know which bit of government does what, and where your votes go at local, state or federal level. That is why I encourage people to visit NSW Parliament to learn about this level of government.These school holidays at Parliament of NSW is opening its doors for a jam-packed day of discovery, learning and hands-on activities that will bring civics and history to life for children aged five to 12 years old.The Festival of Democracy is a free, one-day-only event that is fun and educational for kids!They have guided tours, art and crafts, the opportunity to learn about voting, screenings and more.The event is on Tuesday April 15 9:30am to 3:00pm at NSW Parliament House, 6 Macquarie St, Sydney. Get your free ticket: https://education.parliament.nsw.gov.au/free-event-festival-of-democracy-2025/ School Parliament trip subsidyParliament has also long had a program of school visits, but for some children the distance they have to travel to parliament can be a bit prohibitive. Recently Parliament announced that schools more than 120 km from Sydney may be eligible for a subsidy. The subsidy is only $300 per school, I would prefer it if it were on a sliding scale offering more money to schools that are further away (because $300 wouldn’t even pay for a tank of petrol for a bus from Broken Hill, for instance, something I will discuss with the government) but I urge any eligible schools to apply.For details see https://education.parliament.nsw.gov.au/tour-parliament/nsw-school-tour-travel-subsidy Young Aboriginal Leaders ProgramParliament is also looking for young Indigenous people, who are emerging leaders in their communities, to take part in the Young Aboriginal Leaders Program at NSW Parliament. Young Aboriginal Leaders Program at NSW Parliament applications openThis will be a three-day fully-funded residential program, and will run from June 17 to 20. It is open to young leaders aged 18 to 25 to provide them with an experience focused on leadership, networking, and community impact, as well as providing participants with the opportunity to learn about parliamentary processes.Applications for the program, which is part of the Legislative Council's bicentenary celebrations, are open until 4 April 2025. For more information, email [email protected]  

⚠️ Advice: Willara Crossing and Wanaaring flooding ⚠️The NSW SES advises people in Willara Crossing and Wanaaring to stay informed about predicted Minor to Moderate flooding on the Paroo River:You should stay informed by monitoring warnings issued by NSW SES on their website, listening to your local ABC radio station, and checking the latest weather information from the Bureau of Meteorology online.What are we expecting?The Bureau of Meteorology advises Moderate to locally heavy rainfall has been observed across the Paroo River catchment in Queensland over the past week. This rainfall has resulted in areas of significant major flooding along the Paroo River in Queensland.As these floodwaters arrive from the Paroo River in Queensland, significant flooding similar to the 2010 flood is possible at Willara Crossing from around Sunday 6 April, where minor flooding is currently occurring. Major flooding is possible at Wanaaring early in the week commencing Sunday 6 April, with further rises to the 2010 flood level possible.No significant rainfall is expected over the next couple of days. Further rainfall is forecast from the middle of the week and this rainfall is likely to prolong the flood peaks currently moving through the Paroo River system.Forecasts will be refined as upstream peaks are observed in Queensland.There is major flood warning current for the Paroo River (QLD).The situation is being closely monitored and this warning will be updated as required.Paroo River (NSW):Major flooding may occur along the Paroo River (NSW) at Wanaaring. Minor flooding is occurring at Willara Crossing.The Paroo River at Willara Crossing is currently at 1.64 metres and rising, above the minor flood level (0.70 m). The Paroo River at Willara Crossing may reach around 4.30 metres from around Sunday April 6, similar to the 2010 flood level (4.34 metres). Further rises are possible, peak predictions will be provided once upstream peaks have been observed.No latest observations are available at Wanaaring. Based on the upstream gauge, the river level is currently expected to be below the minor flood level (2.40 m). The Paroo River at Wanaaring is likely to exceed the minor flood level (2.40 m) from Tuesday. The river level is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (3.30 metres) towards the end of the week and may exceed the major flood level from the second week of April. The river may reach levels similar to the 2010 flood, further rises are possible. Peak predictions will be provided once upstream peaks have been observed.Based on predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology, the following areas may be impacted by dangerous floodwaters:Low lying areas adjacent to and along the river.Low-lying roads and bridgesLow-lying farming and rural areasAny unsealed roadsView the full warning: https://hazardwatch.gov.au/a/TUl3AXDownload the Hazards Near Me App and set up ‘Watch Zones’ to receive warnings in real time. https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/hazards-near-me-appFor emergency assistance during a flood or storms call the NSW SES on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

“We remain hopeful that rural Australia will not be overlooked”The Federal Budget for 2025-26 is a mixed bag for rural, regional and remote Australia in terms of funding for healthcare, according to The National Rural Health Alliance. The peak body says while certain aspects of the budget benefit rural populations, there is a lack of a targeted strategy to address the unique health challenges these communities face.The National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA) said they acknowledge the contribution of rural populations to Australia’s economy in many areas including exports, tourism and agriculture. “We remain hopeful that rural Australia will not be overlooked and urge all parties to consider the needs of these communities and their major contribution to Australia’s economic wellbeing in the upcoming Federal election.”“We are encouraged to see some of the Federal Government’s pre-election healthcare promises reflected in the 2025-26 Budget,” said NRHA Chief Executive Susi Tegen. “We welcome the $8.5 billion investment to strengthen Medicare, which includes funding for an additional 18 million bulk-billed GP visits per year, 400 nursing 400 scholarships, and expanded GP training opportunities. “However, the benefits are mostly for city-based and corporate practices that have higher throughput. Not all rural practices are able to bulk bill every patient due to the depth, breadth and complexity of services provided and the higher cost-of-service delivery.“We call on the government to commit to ongoing Medicare reform, flexibility in funding and policy for thin and failing markets. This will ensure all rural healthcare providers including general practice, pharmacy and allied health services are able to sustain their multidisciplinary practices to meet population health need.”Ms Tegen also highlighted the $689 million pledge to reduce the maximum cost of many medicines listed on the PBS from $31.60 to $25. “This is good news for rural, regional and remote populations who are already facing financial pressures,” she said. NRHA says there are also some positive measures to help Close the Gap in Indigenous health by increasing the availability of culturally safe and qualified mental health supports and building the First Nation’s health and medical workforce. “We welcome the availability of more university medical places focused on primary health care, and the previously announced 100 Commonwealth Supported Places from 2026 increasing to 150 per year by 2028.“With a large increase in health spending overall in this Budget, we remain concerned that rural and remote Australia will not receive an equitable share, despite making up 30% of the Australian population.The NRHA remains disappointed by the lack of dedicated rural funding and of a comprehensive National Rural Health Strategy. “Such a strategy would coordinate Commonwealth, State, and Territory investment in health, disability and aged care service delivery for rural Australia.” Additionally, NRHA continues to call for the establishment of a National Rural Health Fund to support block and infrastructure funding which includes but is not limited to health facilities, housing and childcare, tailored to rural clinician and health student needs.Rural, regional and remote Australia already has worse health outcomes and die up to 13.6 years earlier than those in urban areas. Almost 18,500 Australians still lack access to essential primary healthcare services within an hour's drive from their homes. Despite these stark disparities, the annual healthcare underspend in rural Australia remains $6.55 billion.“With the Federal election on the horizon, it is not too late to prioritise rural health. “We owe it to the 7.3 million people who live and work in those communities,” said Ms Tegen. “We call on all political parties to commit to delivering specific health packages for our rural communities as part of their election campaigns. Rural Australians are integral to the nation’s socio-economic health and wellbeing. Without them, the rest of the nation’s economic health hangs in the balance.”The National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance) comprises 53 national organisations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the over 7 million people in rural and remote Australia. Our diverse membership includes representation from health professional organisations, health service providers, health educators, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector and students.

While the WIlcannia Weir project is on hold, work continues on the additional emergency underground bore for Wilcannia.This project is completely separate to the Weir undertaking and uses separate funds.After investigations, there are two potential locations which the NSW Water team plans to test drill to understand the water quality and yield of the sites.Water NSW ill be in Wicannia to meet with community, golf club, council and to conduct further assessments.They are welcoming people to come and discuss the project.They will be in Baker Park in Wilcannia Wednesday April 16 from 9am to 11am to provide updates and answer any questions.A hydrogeologist investigated a possible site for a bore in September.This will be an independent project to ensure a water supply for the town in a prolonged period of no flow in the river.The Wilcannia community made it clear to the Water department employees present at a community consultation in September that the community will not accept the revised design of the weir and will only accept exactly what was promised. Water has become quite a contentious issue, one spanning over two years as the Wilcannia weir project continues to stagnate.

Member for Parkes Mark Coulton MP has left parliament for the final time after deciding not to contest the May 3 federal electionHe issued a statement following his departure from parliament for the final time."With today’s announcement of a 3 May 2025 Federal Election, my time as the 1,029th member elected to the Australian Parliament and as the Federal Member for Parkes has now officially come to an end," Mr Coulton said.I thank my family, colleagues, staff and The Nationals for their unwavering trust in me to do this job. I will be forever grateful for the people of the Parkes Electorate and the support they have shown me over the past 17 years.I said in my first speech that I have a deep and unshakeable belief in inland Australia; and I still believe that to this day. There is no better place to live in the world than Australia, and no better place in Australia to live than in western New South Wales. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the people of the Parkes Electorate.Thank you."Jamie Chaffey has been pre-selected as the Nationals candidate in the upcoming election.

 Latest on flood-affected major roads in NSW:THE NEWELL HIGHWAY is closed to light vehicles in both directions between Narrabri and Coonabarabran due to water over the road at The Pilliga.Motorists should divert via Gunnedah using the Oxley Highway and Kamilaroi Highway.THE SILVER CITY HIGHWAY is closed in both directions from Broken Hill to the Queensland border due to flooding. Motorists should delay their journey as there is no suitable alternative route.The Castlereagh Highway is closed in both directions at Angledool, near the Queensland border, due to flooding at Fingerpost Road.From Walgett, motorists should divert via the Gwydir Highway to Moree and then use the Carnarvon Highway to Queensland. Vehicles over 26 meters must use the Newell Highway from Moree.Some other major roads also remain closed due to flooding:• The Kamilaroi Highway is closed in both directions between Curlewis and Willow Tree. Divert via the New England Highway and Oxley Highway.• The Kamilaroi Highway also remains closed in both directions between Narrabri and Wee Waa. Motorists travelling between Narrabri and Walgett can divert via Moree using the Newell Highway, Castlereagh Highway and Gwydir Highway. This diversion is suitable for all vehicles but will add considerable extra travel time.• The Newell Highway is closed to light vehicles in both directions between Narrabri and Coonabarabran. Motorists should divert via Gunnedah using the Oxley Highway and Kamilaroi Highway. Heavy vehicles are being allowed through at this stage, but should exercise caution.• The Silver City Highway is closed in both directions from Broken Hill to the Queensland border. Motorists should delay their journey as there is no suitable alternative route.In addition to state managed roads, some local roads managed by councils may also be affected Exercise caution travelling in areas that are affected by the adverse weather. There are other roads, including local roads affected, so check the Live Traffic website or the Live Traffic NSW app:Make sure you have 'Council supplied information' ticked.Use the Trip feature, enter your origin and destination to see any hazards on your chosen route, plan ahead accordingly.

The call is out: Young Aboriginal Leaders Program at NSW Parliament is looking for applicants, young Indigenous people who are emerging leaders in their communities.This will be a three-day fully-funded residential program, and will run from June 17 to 20. It is open to young leaders aged 18 to 25 to provide them with an experience focused on leadership, networking, and community impact, as well as providing participants with the opportunity to learn about parliamentary processes.Applications for the program, which is part of the Legislative Council's bicentenary celebrations, are open until April 4. For more information, email [email protected]

“The Budget lacks ambition and a thorough understanding of what business needs.”Household cost-of-living measures were front and centre of Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ pre-election Budget tonight, but the government has failed to deliver initiatives that would improve business productivity, innovation and growth, according to the country’s peak accounting body.“Businesses and their advisers will find little in the federal Budget that will help offset the pain all-too-many small businesses have been experiencing,” CPA Australia Chief Executive Officer Chris Freeland AM said.“The Budget lacks ambition and a thorough understanding of what business needs. Not enough is being done to slash red tape or create the conditions and improve policy development that would shift the dial on Australian productivity and competitiveness."Mr Freeland said new personal tax cuts from July 1, 2026, may capture the public’s attention but would fail to really help most Australians.“SMEs – many of which have thin margins – needed a Budget that would significantly alleviate the cost pressures they face every day,” Mr Freeland said.“The unrelenting rise in insurance premiums and the burden of utility bills, materials, wages, fuel and various other inflationary pressures are hard to manage.“Though the emphasis on relieving pressures on household finances was expected, a more business-centric Budget would have benefitted all Australians because small businesses are significant contributors to the economy and job creation.“The instant asset write-off is a prime example. Tonight, it should have been made permanent – but it remains in limbo. Making it permanent would provide the certainty and opportunity businesses need to invest and grow. They cannot make serious long-term financial decisions when the rules could change every year.”Mr Freeland said the $150 energy bill relief would assist businesses in managing soaring costs, and a national licensing scheme for electricians might serve as a template for other as-yet unspecified occupations.However, the Budget lacked support or incentives to help small businesses innovate and adopt new technologies. As research from CPA Australia released on Monday shows, Australian small businesses trail most countries in the Asia-Pacific region in these areas, and are ultimately less likely to experience growth.“The business community expects the government and Opposition will announce measures during the upcoming election campaign that would significantly reform regulation, taxes and incentives,” Mr Freeland said.

 Monthly Update from Hay Mayor, Carol OatawayCommunity Strategic Plan 2025-2035Hay Shire Council is in the planning stages of developing our Community Strategic Plan 2025-2035, a blueprint designed to guide our region's growth, development, and well-being over the next decade. This plan is the result of extensive consultation with our residents, ensuring that community voices shape our priorities and future direction.A recent community survey highlighted what matters most to our residents. The results showed that a strong sense of belonging, the success of locally owned and operated businesses, the excellent condition of our public open spaces, and a feeling of personal and neighbourhood safety are the top priorities for our community. These values will be at the heart of our strategic planning.To ensure we captured the views of all our residents, Councillors took the draft plan out to the communities of Maude, Booligal, and Hay. We also conducted dedicated consultation sessions with our youth, people living with disabilities and senior citizens. Their insights were invaluable, reinforcing the importance of inclusiveness and shared responsibility in shaping our Shire's future.Based on this feedback, a draft Community Strategic Plan has now been formulated. In the coming months, we will once again take this draft out to the community during April and May. We encourage everyone to engage with this process, share their thoughts, and help refine the plan to ensure it reflects the hopes and aspirations of all who call Hay Shire home.Your participation is crucial as we build a stronger, more connected community for the future. Keep an eye out for upcoming consultation sessions and have your say in shaping our Shire's next chapter. Together, we can ensure Hay Shire continues to thrive as a safe, vibrant, and welcoming place for all.

Coolabah Metals will formally enter the binding joint venture agreement for mining operations at the Pinnacles silver-lead-zinc mine in Broken HillBy Olivia Thomson via Australian MiningCoolabah exercised its option under its heads of agreement (HOA) with Pinnacles Mines and Broken Hill Pinnacles by paying the second option fee worth $600,000.Coolabah will now become the exclusive operator of Pinnacles, which currently has a mineral resource estimate of six million tonnes at 10.9 per cent zinc equivalent.Originally announced in September 2024, the binding joint venture agreement aimed to gather two of the three companies controlling all current silver-lead-zinc operations in Broken Hill, an iconic mining region.Simultaneously, Coolabah revealed it would acquire 100 per cent of the issued capital in Broken Hill Mines, which held a binding agreement to acquire the Rasp silver-lead-zinc mine and associated assets alongside the binding BOA for Pinnacles.The company confirmed it had completed the acquisition of Rasp and its associated assets in October 2024.Mined ore from Pinnacles will now be transported and processed at the Rasp processing plant located 15km away and, in honour of the Rasp and Pinnacles transactions being finalised, Coolabah will soon be renamed to Broken Hill Mines.Under an agreed net smelter return calculation, Coolabah will receive 70 per cent of the profits generated from Pinnacles’ operations, while Pinnacles Mines and Broken Hill Pinnacles will receive the balance.Coolabah, Pinnacles Mines and Broken Hill Pinnacles are now progressing a standard operating agreement to document future mining operations at Pinnacles.

Road closure map - Central Darling ShireUpdates: Live Traffic