Watering down protections no solution to workplace mental health crisis: Australians for Mental Health  Australians for Mental Health is expressing its dismay over a planned watering down of workers compensation rights, amid a rise in workplace psychological injuries. The NSW government has released details about the alarming rise in workers compensation claims associated with psychological injury, and some concerning proposals that would make it harder for workers to seek redress for injuries sustained at work.  “Workplace mental health is in crisis. But instead of getting serious about enforcing the law and reducing needless harm to thousands of people, the Minns government is proposing to go soft on bosses who do the wrong thing,” the Executive Director of Australians for Mental Health Chris Gambian said. Mental ill-health affects so many Australians, and in New South Wales, we are going to see it become harder to get support. We don’t need to target the system that props people up who are struggling, we need to focus on eliminating the harm some workplaces are causing,” he said. Australians for Mental Health is advocating for governments to do more to help dismantle harmful workplace culture, and create environments that protect and nurture people’s mental wellbeing. “By making it harder to get compensation for a psychological injury, we will simply be abandoning people in a tough situation, while harmful workplaces remain unchanged. That’s not good enough,” Chris Gambian said.  "Australians spend a third of their lives at work and it is often the trigger for anxiety and depression, as well as exacerbating other mental health conditions."We need stronger protections against workplace stress and mandatory mental health training for all managers as a minimum. "But we also need to get serious about “normal” practices that are making people sick: like excessive overtime, bullying cultures, staff shortages and unrealistic workloads." Australians for Mental Health has vowed to fight any changes that will soften the risks for employers who do the wrong thing. I would urge the Premier to re-think his priorities. Going easy on irresponsible managers and bosses will only perpetuate poor workplace culture, and make it harder for people to escape them.”

The NSW Teachers Federation said today that while the NSW Government has revealed key performance targets for public schools, the most critical target to be met is full funding.New reports have revealed confidence in public education sits at just 51 per cent, with a target to lift this to 53 per cent by 2027.These targets, including lifting attendance and Year 12 completion rates, would be impossible to achieve without proper resourcing.“No public school in NSW is funded to 100 per cent of the SRS, the minimum level governments agreed was required more than a decade ago. Yet every private school in the state is funded at or above this standard,” Mr Rajendra said.“Right now, principals and teachers across NSW public schools are doing an amazing job but they are being asked to do too much with too little. Student needs are growing fast but the funding hasn't kept up."Full funding of public schools will lift student engagement and student achievement. Closing the resources gap is also an essential part of closing the achievement gaps between students from different backgrounds.”NSWTF president Henry Rajendra is calling for the Albanese Government and Minns Government to finalise an agreement before the federal election to ensure public schools are funded at 100 per cent of the School Resource Standard (SRS).Whilst we understand both the Commonwealth and NSW governments are locked in negotiations for a new funding deal, two objectives must be achieved:The deal must be signed by the Prime Minister and Premier before the federal election is called, andThe deal lifts all NSW public schools to 100 per cent of the minimum level funding required to meet the needs of all children without delay."Additional funding will allow schools to cut class size sizes, give children more intensive one-on-one attention and provide more specialist support such as school counsellors,” Mr Rajendra said.“It will also help cut the unsustainable workloads of teachers and give them more time to prepare high quality lessons for students."NSW is one of only two states without a long term agreement on the future funding of schools. This needs to change now."Fully funding public schools is the only way to ensure every child gets the support they need to succeed, and we can recruit and retain enough teachers."

Member for Barwon calls for lower vehicle taxes in the bushMember for Barwon Roy Butler MP introduced a motion to the NSW Legislative Assembly earlier this week, calling for recognition that four-wheel-drive vehicles are a necessity in the Back Country."Living in the bush means having to buy vehicles that can deal with unsealed country roads and make their way across properties with no established byways," Mr Butler said. "This usually means heavier 4WD drive vehicles, which also means higher taxes and fuel costs."Today I moved a notice of motion in the NSW Legislative Assembly asking that the house:1. Acknowledges that many people in the bush need to drive heavier, 4WD vehicles, just to get around.2. Agrees that people in regional NSW pay more fuel excise through driving bigger vehicles and driving longer distances.3. Notes that incomes in regional NSW are lower than in Sydney or most of the east coast.4. Asks that weight based vehicle tax be capped for specific regional post codes to reflect a standard sedan vehicle weight tax."I am having a bill drafted to reflect this motion."

Independent MP Helen Dalton says it’s only a matter of time before someone in rural NSW dies because they can’t get through to 000 following the rollout of the 5G network in Australia. “5G just doesn't work properly yet,” Helen said. “We are on our farms or in town and we cannot get a signal.” “What will happen when someone is trapped under a tractor and can’t call 000? People will die and the telcos don’t seem to understand, or care.” Ms Dalton said the 5G rollout by telecommunication companies has also increased risks around natural disasters. “People got rid of their UHF radios because they could count on 3G,” Helen said. “But with 3G gone and 5G not working, we won't be able to call each other when we are facing another natural disaster.” Ms Dalton is calling on the Federal Government to insist telecommunications companies re instate the 3G network until they can guarantee 5G offers proper coverage levels. “Digital connectivity affects every aspect of our lives in rural NSW,” Helen said. “It affects businesses. It affects public safety. It affects access to Government services. It affects tourism. It affects the education of our kids. It affects isolation and mental health issues. Connectivity affects absolutely everything.” “The people of rural NSW deserve to he heard by Governments, and they deserve to heard when they are using their phones for that matter.”

Griffith City Councillor, Shari Blumer, has been elected National President of the Murray Darling Association (MDA) following an election held recently. The MDA is a Local Government member-based organisation that advocates for effective representation of communities at State and Federal levels in managing Murray Darling Basin resources. The association provides information, facilitates debate, and works to influence government policy on behalf of its members. In her new role as National President, Councillor Blumer told Inside Local Government she aims to ensure that the 12 local government regions within the MDA and their communities have a strong voice in decisions affecting their areas. Griffith City Council is part of Region 9 of the MDA, alongside Carrathool Shire Council, Hay Shire Council, Lockhart Shire Council, Murrumbidgee Council, Wagga Wagga City Council, Narrandera Shire Council, and Leeton Shire Council. Councillor Blumer is also the Region 9 Chair.  Griffith Mayor, Doug Curran, extended his congratulations to Councillor Blumer on her appointment. “I’d like to congratulate Shari on her election to this important position,” Mayor Curran told Inside Local Government. “This is a fantastic outcome for Griffith and our region. Shari is passionate about ensuring our communities are well represented in decisions that impact them. Her leadership in the MDA will be invaluable in advocating for sustainable and effective management of Basin resources.” “Shari has a deep understanding of both the challenges and opportunities facing our region. Her ability to articulate these issues at a national level will be instrumental in ensuring a bright future for communities across the Murray Darling Basin,” he said.

A man has died and two other men are in a serious condition following a single-vehicle crash in Griffith earlier this morning.At about 2:05 am today, emergency services were called to Kidman Way, Warburn, following reports a four-wheel drive had veered off the road and rolled.A male occupant of the vehicle was assisted by police, however he died at the scene.He is yet to be identified.Two men aged 29 and 30 were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before they were taken to Griffith Base Hospital in a serious but stable condition.They will undergo mandatory testing.Officers attached to Murrumbidgee Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the crash.A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.As of 1pm today, the Warburn (north of Griffith) Kidman Way near Cunningham Road was still closed.

During her latest regional tour, Independent Candidate for Farrer, Michelle Milthorpe met with advocates who work with immigrants to hear about the strengths and challenges that are confronting them in this space. Mrs Milthorpe said Farrer was one of the most multicultural regional centres in Australia, yet, when it comes to supporting the newest members of our community, the policies in place are failing them. She is calling for a strong and consistent approach to immigration that truly supports regional communities and their workforce needs. “Our communities rely on a stable, skilled workforce, and immigration plays a critical role in that,” she said. “But instead of policies that reflect regional realities, we have a system bogged down in paperwork and bureaucracy, leaving real people struggling. “Right now, migrant workers and their families are being left behind. “There are vulnerable people being exploited by visa scammers, and PALM workers who are stuck without work, medical care, or even a place to live. “The government knows about these problems—there have been public reports as recently as six months ago—but nothing has changed.” Mrs Milthorpe also raised concerns about the way skilled migration visas are allocated, leaving regional communities short in key areas like health and manufacturing. “The government decides which skills are ‘in demand’ without speaking to the regions.“We desperately need health professionals and skilled manufacturing workers, yet we are left short because the decisions are being made with a city focus.” Mrs Milthorpe said changes to regional employer-sponsored visas were also making it harder for businesses to secure a stable workforce. She said the 494 visa, while difficult for employers to manage, has been one of the few options that actually works for regional areas. “It provides stability and access to Medicare, and it encourages migrants to stay in the regions. “But there are concerns it’s being phased out. “The 482 Visa is easier and cheaper for businesses, but it provides no real incentive for workers to stay in regional areas or even with the employer who sponsored them. “If we want to build a strong workforce in the regions, we need immigration pathways that reflect the needs of our communities, not just what’s convenient for the government. “We want to welcome new workers and their families, but we need the right structures in place to support them. “That means a visa system that meets our workforce needs, services that can help migrants integrate successfully, safeguards to prevent exploitation. and “This is about sustainability—about making sure our regional communities and economies can thrive. “We need policies that work for us, not policies made without us.”

Members from ICPA branches across NSW will converge on Euston for the 53rd Annual State Conference and Balranald members are the excited hosts of the conference. Branches all over the region are ready and waiting to take their motions and points to the conference, and continue to fight for change. Balranald President Kirsty Wilson said that it was a busy time ahead for the branch. "In addition to our members who are busy helping out at the conference, we will have two delegates participating in the debate, plus we have two members on the State Council,” she said. “Our branch have concerns about access to early childhood education. “We have a number of motions to bring to the floor. “One we are particularly keen to see the State Council successfully advocate for, is extending the NSW Government school drive subsidy to preschoolers. “Balranald is the fifth largest shire in NSW. “Families have no choice but to travel long distances for their preschoolers to access their recommended 15 hours per week of preschool before they start school. “Extending the school drive subsidy to include preschoolers would go a long way to help parents transport them. “There continues to be both State and Federal focus on the importance of early childhood education and care. “The reality is there are not adequate services available to those in regional, rural and remote communities. “However, the discrepancies between policies and legislation is getting in the way of practical solutions. “Conference is a great opportunity for political and department representatives to hear the real stories and recognise the barriers faced by local families.” Hay Branch ICPA President Michelle Spence is excited for the conference in Euston. “The proximity of this year’s State conference allows Hay branch to have great representation, with several members being able to attend for the first time,” she said. Hay has a long and active history in the ICPA. The branch consistently sends delegates to State and Federal conferences to present motions, vote and voice their opinions and issues. “I feel that by going to the conference you get a better understanding on how the association runs at all levels, you get to take grassroot issues to higher levels for action. “It gives us a real sense of purpose and belonging, revitalises our enthusiasm and is a platform for valuable networking and socialising.” Recently a fantastic outcome to a motion Hay presented with regard to the TAP (Tertiary Access Payment) guidelines for application being reviewed and changed. “We are passionate about helping young people from rural and remote locations to have the best chance to access further education. With this win in the tertiary sector our focus is also on helping apprentices that need to study or relocated to follow a trade”. There will be many stakeholders and government representatives attending the conference in Euston and with a question and answer panel being run there will be real discussions around topics that are currently affecting our regions. “We have three motions to present at this conference. “These are covering connectivity in the classroom, 3G closure and early childhood education. “Hay branch has an amazing team that are determined to get our voices heard.” Rankins Springs Branch President Kerrie Johnston said their branch understands the importance and value of attending conferences in order to have their issues heard by the relevant government departments. Rankins Springs branch have three delegates attending the State Conference in Euston in March this year, presenting four motions. ICPA-NSW have had a number of wins for rural and remote families over the years with one of the most recent being a change to the Temporary Skilled Worker Shortage Visas (428 Visas). This change means that the children of 482 visa holders in NSW can now attend public schools free of charge. This is a big change, previously it was a $6000 per year, per child expense. “This educational inequity was brought to the attention of ICPA from one of our members who faced this issue with some of their employees. “However, there still remains many educational inequities for rural and remote children compared to their city counterparts that it remains necessary for advocacy to continue on their behalf, hence the invaluable contribution of the ICPA organisation,” Rankins Springs Branch President Kerrie Johnston said. Hillston Branch also includes Ivanhoe and is excited to have two people attending conference this year, with one being a new member to ICPA. “Conference is an amazing space to have our voices heard as the relevant departments and organisations are in the room,” Branch President Laura Stalley said. “We have major concerns with the 3G to 4G change-over and the safety of children getting to school. “We need to ensure these children and their drivers have adequate phone reception. “Our members’ mobile reception has deteriorated, with dropouts, unable to make calls even with phone reception and increased black spots.”

Severe Thunderstorm WarningThe Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for large hailstone, damaging winds and heavy rainfall for people in parts of Riverina and Lower Western Forecast Districts.The BOM says severe thunderstorms are developing in far inland New South Wales.A moist and unstable airmass is combining with a prefrontal trough to produce severe thunderstorms in far inland New South Wales this afternoon.Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones, damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Deniliquin, Hay and Balranald.BCB News will update is the situation worsens, or new information becomes available.The State Emergency Service advises that people should:* Move your car under cover or away from trees.* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.* Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.* After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.* Unplug computers and appliances.* Avoid using the phone during the storm.* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.Issued at 4:46 pm Thursday, 20 March 2025.

A woman has been charged over a fatal crash in the state’s west last week.About 4pm on Sunday 16 March 2025, emergency services were called to the Barrier Highway, Broken hill, following reports of a multi-vehicle crash.Officers attached to Barrier Police District were told a hatchback and a Prime Mover have collided before the hatchback has rolled.The passenger of hatchback – believed to be a 41-year-old man – was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics however, he could not be revived.The man is yet to be formally identified.The driver of the same vehicle – a 40-year-old woman - was taken to Broken Hill Hospital for further treatment and a mandatory testing.The truck driver – a 55-year-old man – was taken to the same hospital for a mandatory testing.A crime scene was established and officers from Crash Investigation Unit commenced an investigation into the incident.Following inquiries, about 6.45pm on Monday 17 March 2025, police arrested the 40-year-old woman at Broken Hill Hospital after she was released.She was taken to Broken hill Police Station where she was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death-driver manner dangerous and negligent driving (occasioning death).She was refused bail to appear at Broken Hill Local Court on Tuesday 19 March 2025, where she was granted conditional bail to appear at the same court on Tuesday 13 May 2025.

Are you thinking about applying for a FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grant but want to know a bit more about the six ideas generated by young Australians at this year’s ABC Heywire Regional Youth Summit? The six ideas generated are:Youth Ignite - rekindle community spirit and trust with intergenerational community events.How 2 Adult - empower young people with practical life skills outside the classroom.Full Plate Pantry - break down the stigma surrounding food insecurity and feeding regional communities.HARK (Helping Australians in Rural Kommunities) - make career opportunities more accessible for young people living in the country.Wellness Wagon - connect regional young people with the health support they need.CommUnity - finding unity in diversity, connecting through lived experience led education.Grants up to $10,000 are now open for communities across Australia to adopt, adapt and act upon these ideas. Start your application today at: https://frrr.org.au/funding/people/heywire-youth-innovation-grants/Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, or FRRR (F-triple-R) for short, is a not-for-profit organisation. We connect common purposes and funding from government, business, and philanthropy with the genuine needs of rural people and places.

Register your property with PropertyVAULTWe all feel a little complacent at times, don’t we? Living in Hay, we come to feel it is a relatively safe area, and therefore our possessions are safe, too.We leave bikes out the front, cars unlocked, amongst other things.That kayak which might be sitting on your front or back veranda Your leaf blower, sitting where you left it, or your pressure washer.Items we might not give a second thought to, but could just disappear, someone taking advantage of the good old country trust.Did you know there is a free national asset register and service to combat theft?If you register your items with PropertyVAULT, there is an extra layer of protection if the item walks away suddenly.Not only might it come in handy for Hay, but think about the next time you are off and about caravanning, with your bike on the back. Or on holiday, and accidentally leave something outside your motel door overnight. If it’s in the vault, you may thank yourself, maybe it can be tracked down. For more information, visit the link.https://www.propertyvault.com.au/Not only can you register your assets but you can read success stories of lost items found, tips to keep your items safe, and see the items people have reported missing.

Central Darling Shire Council has announced that the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia Limited (CMCA) has declared Wilcannia an RV Friendly Town.The CMCA has grown since 1986 to become the largest recreational vehicle (RV) club in the southern hemisphere, now boasting over 68,000 members and a fleet of more than 34,000 vehicles.The CMCA’s accreditation of Wilcannia as part of the RV Friendly Town program means its campervan and motorhome club members will receive information about the town. Wilcannia’s Victory Caravan Park will be listed in the monthly club magazine, The Wanderer.The caravan park will also be advertised in the CMCA monthly e-newsletter, going out to a database of over 28,000 recipients.Under the program, RV travellers visiting Wilcannia will benefit from:Street parking, on Reid Street near the Post Office and Baker Park, suitable for motorhomes, campervans and caravans;Short and long-term overnight parking (96 hours) for self-contained motorhomes, campervans and caravans at Victory Caravan Park;Permit fees will be $20 unpowered site per night;Free public dump point located outside Wilcannia Oval, Myers Street;Potable water available outside Wilcannia Oval, Myers Street.

The Riverina Outback Rally stayed overnight in Tilpa The Tilpa community rallied last week to cater for more than 160 people, who descended on the tiny hamlet as part of the 2025 Riverina Outback Rally.56 teams plus support vehicles stayed overnight at the Darling Riverside village, and were treated to a hearty selection of potluck meals last Thursday evening.Volunteer cooks travelled up to 85 kilometres to cater, and rose with the sun to also provide a hot breakfast.The Riverina Outback Rally is an annual event, that started in Bamera SA, and ended five days later in Hillston NSW, after also visiting Arkaroola, Innaminka and Packsaddle.The rally supports Wagga Wagga children’s charity Country Hope and raised more than $588,000 this year alone. The group also raised an additional $30,000 along the way for outback communities and families.Next year the rally will embark from Wagga Wagga, as part of the tenth anniversary adventure.

The latest from Member for Barwon Roy Butler MP I have just spent much of the last two weeks out on the road, but this week I am back in parliament for two consecutive sitting weeks. I made my way across about 3000 km from Sydney to Bathurst, for an arms fair, to Nyngan, Nymagee, Cobar, Wilcannia and Broken Hill, for the St Patrick’s Day races, making my way back to Sydney for the sitting week. Free Virtual Care for Western NSW Earlier this month the government announced it was extending its free virtual health care service to patients in Western NSW. The service will be limited to non-life-threatening conditions such as coughs, colds, fever, respiratory complaints, vomiting, diarrhea, minor infections and rashes. The service will operate between 8am and 10pm and can be accessed by phoning Health Direct on 1800 022 222. Patients will be put through to a registered nurse who assess the patient’s condition and, if appropriate, refer them on to the correct service. It isn’t meant to be a replacement for on-site health workers, of which there is still a major shortage in many regional, rural and remote areas, but it is meant to deal with some of the problems with the health system. In some towns in Barwon there are no regular GP services, forcing people to either travel hundreds of kilometres or to turn up at the ED (emergency department) of their local hospital or medical centre. Having some alternative, albeit online, will prevent people having to travel for medical attention, reduce the number of people presenting at an ED and take some of the pressure off overworked hospital staff. International Women’s Day March 8 was International Women’s Day, and a couple of days before that I attended the NSW Women of the Year Awards 2025 at the International Convention Centre in Sydney where Barwon woman Sally Edwards was honoured with the award for Barwon Woman of the Year. Sally has long been a strong advocate for her community, working for positive change, environmental conservation and volunteering for several different organisations including working with the youth of Coolah. She has also declared her candidacy for a seat in the upcoming federal election. On International Women’s Day there were many events held around Barwon, obviously it was not possible to be at all of them, but my staff were able to make it to some. In Broken Hill more than 100 women gathered for lunch at the historic Astra Hotel. Guest speakers included Gigi Barbe, Kirsten Linden, and Bree Borlace with music from locals, Grace Molloy, Molly Molloy, Grace Crannaford and Bonnie Aeschlimann. I want to thank the Domestic Violence Committee of Broken Hill for all their efforts in organising a wonderful celebration of women. There were many others, too many for me and my staff to attend all of them. I look forward to next year’s events. Inquiry into the bill to split Hunter New England LHD In the February sitting weeks I introduced a bill to split the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNE LHD) into separate Hunter and New England Northwest health districts. That legislation was fast tracked by the government, so that it could go to an inquiry to examine whether the rural and remote communities currently within HNE LHD would be better served by having their own health district, distinct from one that is run from a metropolitan area hundreds of kilometres away. That inquiry has gone to the Community Services Committee, chaired by Clayton Barr, the Member for Cessnock. The inquiry will review the bill I brought to Parliament and the proposal to split the health district. The committee will explore the merits and implications of splitting the health district and make recommendations to the NSW Government in regard to the Bill. I would like to see more focus on Regional Hospitals and Services, which should be achieved by the bill. By making Regional Hospitals the sole focus of a separate Health District run from a rural headquarters, the only priority should be operating and staffing hospitals and delivering services that best serve regional areas. The deadline for submissions is 17th April 2025. Submissions can be made online. https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/inquiries/Pages/inquiry-details.aspx?pk=3092#tab-submissionsReport into Menindee Fish Deaths Early in March the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) published the first progress report into the NSW Government response to the Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer independent review into the 2023 Menindee fish kill. It showed that of the 26 that were recommended in the Chief Scientist’s review, 10 are complete and the remaining 16 are underway. One of the ten completed actions is the review of the Water Quality Incident Management Plan, about managing the river when there is low dissolved oxygen, and to update it to reflect lessons learned from water quality issues and mass fish deaths of 2022–23 and 2023–24. Those underway include the building of a floating hydraulic fishway designed to allow fish to migrate over barriers, at Menindee. Construction began in December 2024. To find out more about the report and which recommendations have been acted on or are underway see:https://water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/our-work/allocations-availability/drought-and-floods/menindee/restoring-the-darling-baaka-program Nymagee catch-up While I was out on the road last week, I called into Nymagee, to chat with some of the locals from the Nymagee Progress Association, who raised several issues. One was their concern over the local police station, which has been unmanned for some time. There are programs in place that should help to fill the position, but they will take some time, but I will discuss the problem with the Police Minister to see what can be done. The town is also having some problems with the quality of the local water due to decaying infrastructure and with poor telecommunications in country areas. I have already discussed the water issue with Cobar Council, and they have said they are working on a solution. The communications issue is a federal issue, but it is one I have been corresponding with the Federal Minister, but some of the problems will be sorted with Low Earth Orbit satellite technology over the next year or two. Another thing they were asking about was the availability of grants, and I talked through what grant programs are available. My team and I will assist in connecting the Progress Association with those opportunities. While it is good to meet with people face to face, and I get around to as many communities as I can when parliament isn’t sitting, as you can probably appreciate it takes a long time to make it around the entire electorate. If you have any issues of concern, it is best not to wait until I am there in person. I have a large team who you can contact, at any of my offices - Narrabri (02) 6792 1422, Cobar (02) 6836 3722 or Broken Hill (08) 8087 3315. Or email us [email protected] For more information go to www.roybutler.com.au Broken Hill Clubhouse  From Cobar I headed west to Wilcannia, to meet with some locals from the town and surrounding communities, before making my way to Broken Hill. There I dropped into the Broken Hill Clubhouse, an after-school tech space for children 12 to 17 where they can develop their own projects, working with computers, doing 3-D printing, creating podcasts or recording music. Run by community service group Social Futures, the Clubhouse is facing certain challenges with funding. Hopefully those problems can be resolved, and it can continue.Hydrostor moving closer to construction While in Broken Hill I also met with Martin Becker from Hydrostor, to visit the site for the planned Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage, which is now in its last stage of development. This technology uses water to compress air into an underground cavern, which can then be used to generate electricity. Located adjacent to the Potosi mine, Hydrostor is part of what will be a mini grid incorporating solar, wind, batteries and the compressed air storage system. When it is up and running it should be able to provide Broken Hill with extended periods of backup power. It will create 750 jobs during the construction phase, then 35 ongoing positions. When I visited the site there was not much to see, but I look forward to seeing the plant develop. This will be an important development for the city, and I will continue to report on its progress. For more details see https://hydrostor.ca/projects/silver-city-energy-storage-center/ Transgrid Grants  There were some worthy beneficiaries of Transgrid’s first round of grants in their Broken Hill & Far West NSW Community Partnerships Program. One of the recipients is West Broken Hill Rifle Club, a club with a lot of history and tradition behind it, but one that has not let the present slip by and installed solar panels. When the inverter failed last year, they applied for one of the Transgrid grants and they have been awarded $8,300 to replace their solar. Congratulations to the club and I look forward to having a shoot with them on some future occasion when I am in Broken Hill. Another recipient is LandCare Broken Hill, who are working on transforming Imperial Lake into a recreation park and sustainability hub. They have been given $5,000 to buy two generators to help them achieve their vision for the area. This is a project I have given my support to for several years and I look forward to seeing it progress. St Pats Day Races  March in Broken Hill all centres on one of the biggest events on the social calendar, the St Pat’s Day Races and I was privileged to be there for the celebrations. The night before the races I went to the St Pat’s Day Races Cocktail party, which is almost as hot a ticket as the races themselves, attracting prominent citizens, business owners and even the mayor, Tom Kennedy. The races are one the biggest events of their kind in Outback NSW and they attract horses, jockeys, trainers, punters and tourists from everywhere. The town buzzes for days before and after the race. The event is run by the St Pat’s Race Club and this year celebrated 60 years. It was a hot day, but that didn’t seem to deter the crowds, who turned out in force. As a touching tribute to my late friend Dave “Gal” Gallagher - former police officer and President of the Silver City Cup Races - the jockeys in the first race all wore a black armband as a mark of respect. Remote Paramedics We have seen some good things happening with regional paramedics in recent times, including an increase in numbers and in pay. Last week I met with a group of paramedics from Broken Hill who discussed some areas that still needed improvement. One major problem is that given their isolation, it is not always possible to find a crew for call outs. In a metro area backup crews can easily be called in from a neighbouring suburb to plug gaps, but that isn’t possible in a remote station like Broken Hill. They are asking for a “taxpayer funded roster” that will give the paramedics the flexibility to cover team members taking leave. They are also asking that they be allowed to have paramedics on-call to cope with peak periods, like the St Pat’s Day Races, which draws thousands of people and was held on a particularly hot day this year. There is also the issue of career progression; to become an Intensive Care Paramedic (ICP). Broken Hill’s paramedics need to go elsewhere to train, with the likelihood they might never return. ICPs increase the survivability for patients through advanced medication and intubation skills. Very soon, Paramedics with their extended scope of practice, will play an increasing role in taking pressure off local hospitals by dealing with patients who might otherwise present at an emergency department. It is clear that some of the rules and policies surrounding paramedics need to change to suit conditions in remote stations like Broken Hill. I will be discussing this with the Regional Health Minister. 

It's something which feels like common sense to many - if someone does something, commits a crime, then 'name and shame'.You see it so often on social media - the call to clarify who was the culprit.However, Riverina police have issued a warning to local businesses that publicly sharing CCTV footage of alleged criminal activity on social media platforms could potentially jeopardise future legal proceedings. The increasing trend of individuals and businesses using social media platforms to publicise alleged criminal activity captured on surveillance footage has ignited a complex debate, raising significant ethical and legal concerns.While some view these posts as a justifiable means of deterring crime and potentially identifying perpetrators within communities, law enforcement and legal experts are cautioning against the practice, highlighting potential negative repercussions for future legal proceedings and individual rights.One primary area of concern revolves around the potential to compromise ongoing investigations and court cases.The dissemination of sensitive information or images related to an alleged crime online could inadvertently influence potential jurors or introduce information that would be inadmissible in court, possibly leading to the derailment of justice.Law enforcement agencies encourage the public to report crimes directly to them rather than taking matters into their own hands online.Furthermore, the public identification of individuals as alleged criminals before they have been convicted in a court of law raises serious ethical questions related to the presumption of innocence.Such actions can lead to public shaming and reputational damage for individuals who may not be guilty.The risk of misidentification is also substantial, potentially exposing individuals and page administrators to legal action for defamation, stalking, or harassment.Legal precedents highlight the significant financial penalties associated with online defamation.Experts warn that this form of online activity can be considered digital vigilantism, which, while sometimes stemming from a desire to enhance community safety, carries considerable risks.The accessibility of technology, including artificial intelligence, also introduces the possibility of manipulated evidence, further increasing the risk of misidentification.Community-run online forums dedicated to sharing information about local crime face the challenge of balancing the desire for public awareness with the need to prevent the spread of inflammatory or defamatory content.While some administrators implement measures to mitigate these risks, the inherent nature of social media platforms makes complete control difficult.Ultimately, while the impulse to address local crime through online platforms may be understandable, authorities and legal professionals advise against publicising unverified accusations and images. They emphasise the importance of adhering to due process and allowing law enforcement to conduct investigations without the potential for online interference, thereby safeguarding both the integrity of the legal system and the rights of all individuals.Whether you perceive it as right or wrong, think of this; the legal system is there for a reason, and your putting these things on social media may actually impede or stop people from getting the justice they deserve.

The NSW Government has announced $15 million in immediate support for communities in the Southern Basin negatively impacted by the Federal Government's water buybacks. The announcement was made today in Griffith by the NSW Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty. This funding represents the first round of the $160 million Sustainable Communities Program.Minister Moriarty stated that the NSW Government is committed to providing rapid financial assistance to NSW Basin communities facing the consequences of water recovery measures, including the Australian Government’s water buybacks. While the government does not support water buybacks, it believes that investing in infrastructure and programs is essential for supporting local businesses and industries, ultimately leading to strong and vibrant regional communities.This initial $15 million in funding aims to deliver immediate support to create jobs and stimulate local economies. The funding is specifically targeted towards the nine Local Government Areas of Balranald, Berrigan, Carrathool, Edward River, Griffith, Hay, Leeton, Murray River, and Murrumbidgee.Minister Moriarty encouraged organizations within these eligible areas to take advantage of this initial funding opportunity to support their growth and future prosperity. The Early Investment Round offers funding opportunities ranging from $50,000 to $1 million for programs, initiatives, and capital investment projects, and between $250,000 to $4 million for infrastructure projects. The funding will be distributed until the $15 million is fully allocated.Eligible projects for funding consideration include enabling infrastructure or technology upgrades, plant and equipment for increased productivity, and targeted workforce skills and capability development programs.The announcement was made during a roundtable meeting in Griffith where Minister Moriarty met with business leaders from across the Riverina. Representatives from the region's business community provided valuable feedback on the types of investments that could support job creation and retention. Serena Hardwick, Regional Director of Business NSW, expressed anticipation for working with the Government to ensure the funding builds capability and capacity within the local business community. She noted that investments that help businesses increase productivity, foster innovation, and commercialize research and development will benefit both the local and wider economies. Hardwick also highlighted the opportunity to address the skills and workforce gap by fostering a skilled future workforce and rewarding career pathways through this investment.The NSW Government will continue its wide consultation process, with more roundtables planned throughout the Southern Basin, to understand community priorities and the investments needed to strengthen local economies vulnerable to water recovery measures. The remaining $145 million under the Sustainable Communities Program is expected to become available in the 2025/26 financial year after detailed consultation with all exposed and vulnerable NSW Basin communities

Thursday March 20 at 5pm, Tibooburra-Milparinka ICPA are holding their Annual General Meeting. It will be at the Family Hotel, with all welcome, and also welcome to stay after for dinner and a chat. Particularly as the NSW ICPA conference draws closer (Euston March 25 and 26), to be a part of the ICPA is to fight for and achieve real, meaningful change in the lives and educational experiences of isolated children.Many people do not understand what the ICPA is or what it does, but they advocate for real change, including the recent win of changing the access to Tertiary Access Payment, and they will fight for more change in Euston at the conference. The Isolated Children's Parents Association of NSW (ICPA-NSW) stands as a pivotal voluntary, non-profit organisation dedicated to advocating for the educational needs and opportunities of children residing in geographically isolated areas of New South Wales. ICPA-NSW operates with the fundamental mission to ensure that children in these regions are not disadvantaged in their educational pursuits and aspirations compared to their urban counterparts.At the core of ICPA-NSW's activities is robust advocacy. The organisation actively engages in advocating for policies and the allocation of resources that specifically address the educational requirements of children in rural and remote NSW. Their efforts are directed towards achieving equity in educational access, ensuring that geographical isolation does not impede a child's opportunity to receive a comparable education to those in metropolitan areas.The ICPA-NSW represents a significant collective voice, comprising over 2,500 families and individual members. This diverse membership includes rural communities, primary producers, small business owners, schools, and various organizations that champion the cause of equitable access to education. This broad representation underscores the widespread support for the ICPA-NSW's objectives and strengthens its advocacy efforts.The central mission of the ICPA-NSW is unwavering; to guarantee that the educational needs and aspirations of children living in geographically isolated areas are not compromised. This commitment drives their efforts across various fronts, aiming to dismantle the barriers that rural and remote students may face in accessing quality education.Recognising the crucial role of educators, the ICPA-NSW extends its support to both government and non-government education providers that serve children in isolated areas. This collaborative approach aims to enhance the delivery of educational services and improve outcomes for students in these regions.A key aspect of the ICPA-NSW's advocacy work involves championing allowances that mitigate the financial disadvantages faced by rural and remote families in their pursuit of education. The organisation actively advocates for the establishment and increase of existing allowances to align with the rising costs associated with boarding, transportation, and living away from home. This focus ensures that financial constraints do not hinder access to education for geographically isolated children.The ICPA-NSW hosts an annual conference that serves as a vital platform to highlight and address the critical issues affecting access to education across all levels, from Preschool to Tertiary. This event facilitates dialogue, raises awareness, and fosters collaborative solutions to the challenges faced by students in isolated areas.

A man has died following a crash in the state’s west.About 4pm Sunday March 16, emergency services were called to Barrier Highway, Broken Hill following a two-vehicle crash.On arrival, officers attached to Barrier Police District found a truck and car crash.The passenger of the car, a man believed to be aged in his 40's, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, however he died at the scene.The driver of the car, a female believed to be aged in her 30’s, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Broken Hill Hospital in a serious but stable condition. She will undergo mandatory testing.The driver of the truck, a man believed to be aged in his 50’s was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Broken Hill Hospital in a stable condition. He will undergo mandatory testing.Police will prepare a report for the coroner.