We have just had another striking example of the extremes regional Australians face.
After the 2025 Drought Summit in Gawler, South Australia, I touched down in Broken Hill to heavy rain and hail. It’s good news for farmers who have been battling dry weather, but it’s another blow to the road network.
Councils are largely stuck with replacing roads to the same old standard that doesn’t hold up to flooding, and every time there’s more than a bucketful of rain, they are faced with a repair bill. They may have to wait years to get the funding.
At the other end of the scale, farmers in drought are doing their best to keep their livelihoods together with precious little support. At the drought summit it was abundantly clear that farmers need action, not words.
Back in 2020, the Coalition introduced a two-year interest-free period for loans up to $2 million through the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) for farmers experiencing drought hardship.
It’s a simple but effective measure that gives farmers a chance to come out of the other side of the drought in good shape. It helps keep our farmers on the land. All of Australia are dependent on the food and fibre our farmers produce.
The call was loud and clear – farmers want interest-free loans for extreme circumstances, and they need them now.
Recently, I announced that 21 not-for-profit organisations that rely on volunteers in the Parkes electorate have been successful in the 2024-2025 Volunteer Grants Round.
I have already been able to visit some of these organisations to see the
great work they do and how these grants will assist them.
Without volunteers, our communities would not enjoy the lifestyle and sporting choices they do now.
The grants will help organisations as diverse as the Dubbo and District Parent Support Group for Deaf / Hearing Impaired Incorporated, Gunnedah Meals on Wheels Association Incorporated, the Broken Hill Military Museum, Landcare Broken Hill Incorporated I was lucky enough to visit last week, Nosh Narrabri, the Moree District and Historical Society, the Lightning Ridge Community Radio Association, and more.
I also attended the 40th anniversary of the Cooee Lodge in Gilgandra on the weekend. This is a wonderful service that can provide round the clock personal care, meals and accommodation for people who need that care.
The Narrabri Chamber of Commerce Business Awards was held on Saturday. The awards are a great way to celebrate the strong business com
munity of Narrabri, and I congratulate not only the winners, but every business that was nominated.
I will also be attending a Citizenship Ceremony in Gunnedah on Wednesday, which is Australian Citizenship Day. During my time as Mayor, these were among my favourite events. It’s an honour to be there when new citizens pledge their loyalty to our country and its people.
I look forward to many more of these ceremonies throughout the electorate of Parkes.