Andrew Gee's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
type: channel
language: en-gb
creator: OpenAustralia.org, mprss.php script
date: 2026-02-05T22:06:02+00:00
items: Calare Electorate: Infrastructure | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Consideration in Detail | Bills | House debates
items: Calare Electorate: Homelessness | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Calare Electorate: Hindu Community | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026; Consideration in Detail | Bills | House debates
items: Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
items: Commonwealth Prac Payment | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
items: Agriculture Industry | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Rearrangement | Business | House debates
items: TEN4TEN Leadership Dialogue | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Consideration of Legislation | Business | House debates
items: Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025; Consideration in Detail | Bills | House debates
items: Great Western Highway | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Early Childhood Education | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Housing | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Great Western Highway | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Calare Electorate: Community Organisations | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Stopping Wind Farms in State Forests Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates

Calare Electorate: Infrastructure | Questions without Notice | House debates
type: item
description: My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. Since the days of the gold rush, our residents have been pushing for a crossing over the...
encoded: My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. Since the days of the gold rush, our residents have been pushing for a crossing over the Macquarie River at Dixons Long Point, in central western New South Wales. Mid-Western Regional Council wants to access the $10 million allocated to move the project forward. Have the funds been released? On a separate note, will your government take the lead to finally build an expressway through the Blue Mountains, which has been promised for decades and never, ever delivered? The traffic jams are worse than ever, and it's just not good enough.
date: 2026-02-05T15:00:00+00:00

Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Consideration in Detail | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I move: (1) Schedule 1, page 3 (line 1) to page 3 (line 23), omit the Schedule, substitute: Schedule 1 — Removal of excise for draught beer Excise Tariff Act 1921 1 Subitems 1.2, 1.6 and...
encoded: I move: (1) Schedule 1, page 3 (line 1) to page 3 (line 23), omit the Schedule, substitute: Schedule 1 — Removal of excise for draught beer Excise Tariff Act 1921 1 Subitems 1.2, 1.6 and 1.11 of the Schedule Repeal the items. I'm moving this amendment because while freezing the beer excise for a couple of years is better than nothing, the reality is that it just locks in sky-high schooner prices. After that, we're just going to be back in this place arguing about it all over again. I believe it is time to axe the tax, and that's what this amendment does. We need to implement a fairer system of alcohol taxation that helps ensure the long-term viability of our hospitality sector and doesn't keep stinging consumers year in, year out. That's what this amendment does. I've heard opposition members complain that this bill only freezes excise for two years, notwithstanding that it was the policy they took to the last election. The crossbench is here to help. We know things are very chaotic on the opposition benches at the moment. We know that every day brings a new episode of the soap opera—it's like Days of Our Lives. They seem very distracted, and things just aren't very happy in the happy kingdom anymore. But we are here to help, so we've drafted this amendment to give all members of this House, but in particular Nationals and Liberal Party members, the chance to vote to axe the tax. Now, they could have drafted this amendment themselves, but I'm very happy to assist them and do the heavy lifting for them. In my electorate of Calare, there are more than 400 licenced venues that employ around 1,300 people and service countless residents and visitors each year. These venues are often key employers in our smaller towns and villages—and in our larger ones as well! Our country pubs and hospitality venues don't just serve drinks; they support our local farmers, entertainers, local community groups. They keep people connected. Our country pubs and clubs want the tax axed. The …
date: 2026-02-04T10:11:00+00:00

Calare Electorate: Homelessness | Constituency Statements | House debates
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description: Homelessness is a growing issue across our region, and for many it's all too easy to look the other way. On any given night there are hundreds of people sleeping rough and homeless across...
encoded: Homelessness is a growing issue across our region, and for many it's all too easy to look the other way. On any given night there are hundreds of people sleeping rough and homeless across central-western New South Wales. We need to care for our fellow human beings, particularly in a world full of conflict and strife. An incredible group of Bathurst locals came together just before Christmas and launched a new initiative: gratitude packs for men experiencing homelessness. This inspirational project was spearheaded by Nichole Day from Joblink Plus, who distributes Share the Dignity bags to local women. Nichole saw a great need for similar support for men and acted fast. In just one week, Nichole rallied support from Simon Ross from the Black Crow Cafe, Greg Sly from Loan Market Access and Dave Shawcross from the charity Men's Walk and Talk. Local businesses donated backpacks, clothing, caps, toiletries, first-aid kits, vouchers and other essentials. They made up 50 gratitude packs and distributed them in time for Christmas. I give a huge thankyou to everyone who worked with such enthusiasm and generosity to put the packs together, including Sam Forbutt from Forbutt's Pharmacy and Natalie Nixon from fifty8george. I also acknowledge the team from Men's Walk and Talk, a great community group who enthusiastically helped to drive the project, including Paul Forbes, Daryl Grant, Paul Griffin, Chris Hagney, Kevin Hines, Chris McKay, David Shawcross, Greg Sly and Brett Taylor. As word spread, more organisations and companies are joining in, and they hope to roll this initiative out across the Central West, with the aim of distributing 300 gratitude packs next time. We need to be looking after each other, and that's why groups like Bathurst Men's Walk and Talk and the great work they do are so vital. Their motto is 'No man walks alone', and this is what humanity and kindness look like. I'd also like to honour some more legends from Bathurst who do such great work caring for th…
date: 2026-02-03T16:12:00+00:00

Calare Electorate: Hindu Community | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: In our electorate of Calare, we have a growing Hindu community comprising well over 500 families. They've recently come together with a shared dream of building the first Hindu temple in the...
encoded: In our electorate of Calare, we have a growing Hindu community comprising well over 500 families. They've recently come together with a shared dream of building the first Hindu temple in the Central West. Currently, there is no dedicated local place to gather for prayer, festivals or cultural activities or to teach children the values and traditions of the Hindu faith. By recently establishing the Color City Hindu Corporation, the Hindu community is passionately pursuing its dream of having a space that serves as a spiritual, cultural and educational centre for generations to come. The corporation's inauguration is an important milestone, and I wish to acknowledge the corporation's committee members: president Balaji Chakravarthy, vice-president Sanjay Sood, organisation promoter Sreejith Kuramanghat, manager Monica Sood and Treasurer Lakshmikanth Tammineni. The corporation is seeking to raise funds for the purchase of land, which has been identified, and the construction of a temple. I congratulate all corporation members on the launch of this vibrant new group and support them in their advocacy efforts. Thank you to all members of the Hindu community for their significant and important contribution to the life of our region and our country.
date: 2026-02-03T13:36:00+00:00

Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026; Consideration in Detail | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I rise to support the amendment of the member for Kennedy. At the heart of this amendment is a question that is being asked all over Australia and in particular in regional Australia, including...
encoded: I rise to support the amendment of the member for Kennedy. At the heart of this amendment is a question that is being asked all over Australia and in particular in regional Australia, including the Calare electorate, and that is: how was it that these people, who were known to the security services since at least 2019, were able to access licensed firearms? Whilst I've heard what the Prime Minister has said, the member for Kennedy really homes in on this issue and makes it clear that this is something that the nation needs to deal with. This issue needs to be brought out into the open. It needs to be made very clear that, if you are known to the security services and you are on a watchlist, you simply cannot have firearms. Nobody in our part of the world can understand how this happened. That's why we need the royal commission, and that's why I support the amendments made by the member for Kennedy.
date: 2026-01-20T10:53:00+00:00

Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I am unable to support this bill, and I won't support this bill. One of the issues that many in our electorate have is that this has been a political response to the horrific crime that was...
encoded: I am unable to support this bill, and I won't support this bill. One of the issues that many in our electorate have is that this has been a political response to the horrific crime that was perpetrated on 14 December 2025. Many have noted that the government's first reaction to this atrocity was to call for firearm reform rather than a royal commission, which would shine a light on exactly what happened here. It smacked of a political response and the avoidance of scrutiny. This has caused widespread anger amongst law-abiding gun owners in our region who believe that the government has unfairly targeted them, rather than uncovering all the facts that led to this evil crime. One of the questions that many people in our communities have raised is how it is that terrorists were allowed by the New South Wales government to have access to licensed guns in circumstances where they were known to the federal security services as having links to extremists as far back as 2019. They're also asking questions such as why the terrorists' recent trip to the Philippines didn't raise any red flags. Our police and security services do an extraordinary job in keeping our community safe from threats that we never even hear about. We will never know how many attacks were prevented, but this one got through, and we need to know why so that we can stop it happening again. I know that our communities are united in finding answers to these questions; however, the answers don't lie in rushed legislation with no community consultation. The only scrutiny of this legislation occurred through a committee process which the major parties exclude the crossbench from. That's right: the major parties unite to exclude the crossbench from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, which is the parliamentary committee that ran a ridiculously brief inquiry into this legislation. At the same time the sun is setting on their old political empires, they won't even countenance crossbenc…
date: 2026-01-20T10:12:00+00:00

Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
type: item
description: The Jewish community and our country suffered devastating loss on 14 December last year. The heart and soul of the Australian nation is wounded and scarred as we continue to grieve over the...
encoded: The Jewish community and our country suffered devastating loss on 14 December last year. The heart and soul of the Australian nation is wounded and scarred as we continue to grieve over the senseless loss of life and violence. On behalf of the Calare electorate, I offer our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of these whose lives were taken in such a horrific way. I also offer sympathy, support, solidarity and love from our region to all those still recovering from their wounds and injuries. While the perpetrators of this atrocity represent the worst in humanity, those brave first responders and bystanders who risked their lives to help the wounded, to save others or to disarm the gunmen surely represent the best—those such as Reuven Morrison, and husband and wife Boris and Sofia Gurman. They had all come to Australia seeking a better and safer life, and they died trying to stop other innocent people from being murdered. There was 14-year-old Chaya Dadon and mother of two Jessica Rosen, who both shielded young children from the bullets with their own bodies; and Ahmed al-Ahmed, whose heroic actions undoubtedly saved many lives and helped end the massacre. The bravery, compassion and sheer heroism of all of them gives us hope for the future. The horror and violence of this attack sent shock waves through every corner of our nation. Alongside many in our region, I attended community vigils in Orange and Bathurst to remember those whose lives were taken or who were injured and to stand in solidarity with members of our local Jewish communities and those around Australia. At our Orange ceremony, Blair Blashki, who is a Jewish member of our community, was invited to say a few words. He said: During my whole time I've been here, in the Orange community, I've never felt anything but accepted. I've always felt that Orange is a very inclusive society, an inclusive town and a great place to live—and I'm very fortunate to be here. The bigg…
date: 2026-01-19T18:37:00+00:00

Commonwealth Prac Payment | Matters of Public Importance | House debates
type: item
description: I commend the member for Indi for bringing this very important matter of public importance to the attention of the House. The member for Indi makes a very important point. This is a very...
encoded: I commend the member for Indi for bringing this very important matter of public importance to the attention of the House. The member for Indi makes a very important point. This is a very worthwhile scheme, and it is commendable that it has commenced, but we think that it needs to be expanded. We on the crossbench want to see it made available to more students. It's a payment of $331 per week. It's available to students studying teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work degrees, and it helps them with expenses while undertaking their compulsory professional placements as part of their tertiary education. In country Australia we have a healthcare workforce crisis. There's a shortage of healthcare workers. That's why we on the crossbench want to see this scheme expanded so that it can help allied health and medical students. Allied health students like occupational therapists, physios and speech pathologists are required to undertake more than a thousand hours of practical experience just to obtain their degree. Medical students need to complete about two or three years of full-time clinical rotations—that is, roughly, 1,500 to 3,000 hours of practical experience and placements across major medical specialities. We need to understand that our allied health and medical students are crucial to the future of country Australia. They are going to be building and bolstering our country's health workforce. That's why these students need our support, because they are so crucial to regional Australia. There is a significant body of research telling us that placing medical students in regional and rural training programs makes them more likely to subsequently work in country areas. In fact, a University of Queensland study found that students who participated in a 12-week placement in a small rural town were around three times more likely to work in a similar sized community after graduating. Charles Sturt University Vice-Chancellor Professor Renee Lyon pointed out—and it's a…
date: 2025-11-26T15:37:00+00:00

Agriculture Industry | Questions without Notice | House debates
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description: My question is to the agriculture minister. Our prime agricultural land is disappearing before our eyes, threatening Australia's food security. All over Australia we are seeing residential,...
encoded: My question is to the agriculture minister. Our prime agricultural land is disappearing before our eyes, threatening Australia's food security. All over Australia we are seeing residential, industrial and renewable developments on our finest farming country. Our prime agricultural land needs to be preserved for agriculture. Will you support my Protecting Australia's Prime Agricultural Land Bill, and will you come to the Calare electorate and meet with our local farmers?
date: 2025-11-26T14:17:00+00:00

Rearrangement | Business | House debates
type: item
description: by leave—I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the private Members' business order of the day relating to the Stopping Wind Farms in State...
encoded: by leave—I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the private Members' business order of the day relating to the Stopping Wind Farms in State Forests Bill 2025 being called on immediately and given priority over all other business for final determination of the House. I'm moving to suspend standing orders because this matter is urgent. It can't wait. The Stopping Wind Farms in State Forests Bill 2025 needs to be debated and brought on for a vote. The major parties have all let our local residents down. It's been a failure of politics and politicians. When the National Party passed laws that allowed wind farms into state forests, it abjectly failed to properly regulate it. That's the cold, hard truth, and the result has been chaos and conflict. Communities are divided. You've got family members pitted against family members, neighbours fighting neighbours, broken friendships, extreme mental health anguish as residents worry about the property values of their homes, fear and uncertainty. It's the same story with the creation of renewable energy zones in New South Wales. The National Party created them and it totally failed in its duty to control them. It would've been a very simple thing to clearly set out where the developments can and can't go, to protect the rights of local residents so that they have a say, their rights are protected and their voices are heard, and that there was genuine consultation, not just tokenistic tick-a-box consultation. They could've mandated that, but the National Party failed to do so. So, rather than pretending to ride around on white horses, the National Party should apologise. It should own up to its failures and come into this House now to support this bill. All of the major parties have had a hand in this. They are all guilty of failing these residents. It's been an ongoing failure across the political divide and all parties need to bear responsibility for it, including the Labor Party…
date: 2025-11-26T09:45:00+00:00

TEN4TEN Leadership Dialogue | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: I rise today to recognise an outstanding initiative by Regional Development Australia Central West, the TEN4TEN Leadership Dialogue. This program connects 10 year 11 students with 10 community...
encoded: I rise today to recognise an outstanding initiative by Regional Development Australia Central West, the TEN4TEN Leadership Dialogue. This program connects 10 year 11 students with 10 community leaders, fostering mentorship and opportunities across the Central West of New South Wales. This year's students were Rose Kelly, Abby Foster, Nina Cuddy, Bianca Wong, Harmony Winterflood, Amelia Hatton, Sofia Howard, Lauren Day, Tully Schwarz and Milo Mages. I had the privilege of mentoring Milo, a remarkable year 11 student from Kinross Wolaroi School in Orange. Milo joined me out on the road to the Mudgee Small Farm Field Days, where he proved himself to be an expert and able photographer and media adviser. Milo's achievements speak volumes. During Local Government Week, his debating team won the Mayor's Cup, and Milo himself was awarded the Kerry Parkes Memorial Trophy for best speaker. Looking ahead, Milo is continuing his leadership journey, serving as Gordon House prefect in 2026 at Kinross Wolaroi School. Programs like TEN4TEN are absolutely vital. They open doors, build confidence and strengthen the ties between young people and their communities. I commend Regional Development Australia Central West for championing this initiative and investing in the next generation of leaders, just like Milo. Well done, Milo, and congratulations to all of this year's students.
date: 2025-11-24T16:00:00+00:00

Consideration of Legislation | Business | House debates
type: item
description: I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring immediately: the Member for Calare presenting a Bill for an Act to protect...
encoded: I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring immediately: the Member for Calare presenting a Bill for an Act to protect Australia's prime agricultural land, and for related purposes; debate on the second reading of the bill proceeding immediately for a period of no longer than one hour; and any questions required to complete passage of the bill then being put without delay. Today is a historic day for Australia. Today I bring to this House our country's first bill to protect Australia's prime agricultural land. It is legislation that is crucial to the future of our country. This bill will secure and safeguard not only Australia's prime agricultural land but also our nation's food security. It's hard to believe that a country which relies so much on agriculture to sustain it has never before passed legislation to protect the land that is the source of such bounty and prosperity. The member for Kennedy and I are committed to bringing this legislation before the parliament because this matter is urgent. Our prime agricultural land is at serious risk. The gross value of agricultural production has increased by 34 per cent in the past 20 years to $82.4 billion in 2023-24. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences has forecast that the gross value of agricultural production will be $95 billion in 2025-26. Agricultural exports were valued at $71.5 billion in 2023-24 and accounted for more than 10 per cent of all goods and service exports. In 2024-25 the value of Australian agricultural exports surged to $77.2 billion, or 15.1 per cent of Australia's total exported goods. These statistics demonstrate how important agriculture is to our country and also to the future of regional Australia. As the population of the world continues to increase, so too does the importance of food and water resources. Their social, economic and strategic importance can't be underestimated. Thi…
date: 2025-11-24T15:15:00+00:00

Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025; Consideration in Detail | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I rise to support the member for Bradfield in her comments and in her amendment. This parliament operates on the principle that every representative comes here with an equal voice. The fact that,...
encoded: I rise to support the member for Bradfield in her comments and in her amendment. This parliament operates on the principle that every representative comes here with an equal voice. The fact that, on certain committees, crossbench members are effectively being shut out is profoundly undemocratic and shows that it's the old political parties at work. This is a case of the major parties looking down their noses and sneering at crossbench members by suggesting that somehow we can have crossbench members on some committees but, when it comes to defence and intelligence, they are going to be shut out. I think it is disgraceful, and I think the Australian public expects that everyone comes into this place and gets an equal go and has an equal say. The fact that the major parties are trying to shut out crossbench members is disgraceful. It's profoundly undemocratic and it will not be forgotten on the crossbench. At some point, our friends on that side of the aisle and our friends over here are going to need the crossbench, and we will remember the condescension and the sneering nature with which you have treated the crossbench members when it comes to this legislation. We will not forget this.
date: 2025-11-05T16:58:00+00:00

Great Western Highway | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: In 2007, the National Party turned the first sod on the Bells Line of Road expressway. This kicked off a golden age of broken promises, delays and funding raids on a fast road over the Blue...
encoded: In 2007, the National Party turned the first sod on the Bells Line of Road expressway. This kicked off a golden age of broken promises, delays and funding raids on a fast road over the Blue Mountains that all major parties are guilty of. The Bells Line of Road expressway was abandoned by the National Party when city people objected. So much for standing up for the bush! When they had the chance to build it, they squibbed it—12 years in power in New South Wales, nine years in power federally, and nothing's ever been built. Then, when it came to power, the current government grabbed $2 billion that the previous coalition government had allocated to the Great Western Highway, and we never saw it again. Not one of these major parties has any vision for an expressway to Sydney—not one. The federal National Party, for all its talk, has not put forward any plans for an express road to Sydney. They are going to be out of power for years and have been reduced to a complaints desk. The state and federal Labor parties have no plan either. While the major parties dither, the traffic jams from the Central West to Sydney are worse than ever. Country people deserve better than this. We demand better from the major parties. We demand an expressway to Sydney.
date: 2025-11-05T13:36:00+00:00

Early Childhood Education | Constituency Statements | House debates
type: item
description: It's an honour to recognise a group of unsung heroes who underpin our communities: our early childhood educators. On the weekend it was my privilege to officially open the 2025 Central West Early...
encoded: It's an honour to recognise a group of unsung heroes who underpin our communities: our early childhood educators. On the weekend it was my privilege to officially open the 2025 Central West Early Childhood Awards, presented by the Central West Early Childhood Collaborative. The awards, held in Bathurst, brought together around 300 early childhood educators from across the Central West. The awards recognise centres, leaders and educators who strive for excellence, create meaningful learning experiences and build strong connections with families and communities. These wonderful people are nurturing the promise of our region and our nation, and they deserve our sincere gratitude and appreciation. I would particularly like to thank the founder of the awards, Katherine Wilson, who is a truly inspirational leader in early childhood education. I also thank her fellow members of the Central West Early Childhood Collaborative, Kim Laird, Brad Campbell, Haylie Sloan, Janine Lewis and Samantha Stevenson. I also congratulate the wonderful nominees and award winners. The Molly Ticehurst memorial award for outstanding educator cert III went to Ivy Stack. Mila, Suphinda Wongsamphankhiri won the outstanding early childhood educator diploma award. Jan Mills was awarded the Charles Sturt University outstanding early childhood teacher. The outstanding early childhood trainee award went to Maddison Hotham. Meg Corby was awarded the out-of-school-hours educator. The outstanding family daycare educator award went to Susannah Davey. Carlie Chapman won the Samara Golding-Piper memorial award for excellence in leadership. The outstanding achievement award for everyday excellence went to Elly Mackinnon. And the families choice award winners, voted on by families, were Rachael Denning, for diploma; Tiarnah Maddams, for trainee; Haylee McIntosh, for certificate III; Sushil Khadka, for early childhood teacher; Amanda McGothigan, for daycare educator; and Caitlyn McDonald, for outside school hou…
date: 2025-11-04T16:05:00+00:00

Housing | Questions without Notice | House debates
type: item
description: To the Minister for Housing: in the midst of a national housing crisis, the Central West of New South Wales and country communities around Australia are missing out on key national housing...
encoded: To the Minister for Housing: in the midst of a national housing crisis, the Central West of New South Wales and country communities around Australia are missing out on key national housing funding. Community housing providers like Housing Plus can't get a look-in with the Housing Australia Future Fund. The statistics show that regional New South Wales is not getting its fair share. The Housing Australia Future Fund is in danger of being known as the 'Housing Australia Future Fund for City People'. When will country people get a fair go from this fund?
date: 2025-11-04T15:20:00+00:00

Housing | Questions without Notice | House debates
type: item
description: To the Minister for Housing—
encoded: To the Minister for Housing—
date: 2025-11-04T15:20:00+00:00

Great Western Highway | Questions without Notice | House debates
type: item
description: My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. In 2007 the National Party turned the first sod on the Bells Line of Road expressway. This...
encoded: My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. In 2007 the National Party turned the first sod on the Bells Line of Road expressway. This kicked off a golden age of broken promises, delays and funding raids on a fast road over the Blue Mountains that all major parties are guilty of, and the traffic jams from the Central West to Sydney are worse than ever. Will your government commit to turning the Great Western Highway into a genuine expressway to Sydney?
date: 2025-11-04T15:04:00+00:00

Calare Electorate: Community Organisations | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: Today I rise to recognise the outstanding work of the Central West Charity Tractor Trek Group. Every year, the Tractor Trek takes place, which sees vintage tractors and their drivers trekking...
encoded: Today I rise to recognise the outstanding work of the Central West Charity Tractor Trek Group. Every year, the Tractor Trek takes place, which sees vintage tractors and their drivers trekking around the Central West to raise money for worthy causes, including the charity Little Wings. This year's trek just concluded and was conducted over three days and 300 kilometres around Rylstone and its surrounding districts. Besides the Tractor Trek, the trekkers hold a 24-hour Central West 'tractorthon'—where tractors run for 24 hours around Canowindra Showground—which this year raised a further $20,000 on top of the $150,000 for worthy causes, including Little Wings. At the Canowindra tractorthon, some even do laps in mankinis, and, trust me, you cannot unsee that! I congratulate and thank all of our wonderful tractor trekkers, including the tractor trek committee: director Malcolm Porter, deputy director Nick Clancey, treasurer Debbie Porter and secretary Melanie Bone—and, indeed, all of the wonderful volunteers who get behind the Tractor Trek. The small but mighty charity Little Wings flies sick children and their families from country areas to the city for medical treatment. They fly in and out of the Central West on a daily basis. The federal government currently assists Little Wings with $500,000 per year, and this funding is due to expire in 2027. The organisation costs $6 million a year to run. As a funding expiration looms, it's clear that more funding is needed, and it needs to be made permanent. I call on the government to support country people and country communities— (Time expired)
date: 2025-11-04T13:36:00+00:00

Stopping Wind Farms in State Forests Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I move: That this bill be now read a second time. In the last parliament, I introduced a game-changing bill which would stop the building of wind farms in softwood pine plantations which are...
encoded: I move: That this bill be now read a second time. In the last parliament, I introduced a game-changing bill which would stop the building of wind farms in softwood pine plantations which are state forests. I introduced it because of the pain, anguish and anger that many of our local residents are feeling over wind farm proposals in these areas. That pain and anguish has not gone away, and politicians of all persuasions have failed to act. So I am bringing this bill back to this House, and it needs to be passed into law. I'm not against renewable energy. But what our communities are crying out for is reasonable and commonsense balance. I've attended numerous community meetings and consultations over these proposals. What residents are experiencing is very concerning. Fly-in fly-out, tick-a-box consultation from developers without meaningful engagement and genuine dialogue has been a feature of our residents' experiences. City people may think that putting turbines in state pine forests means they're out in the back blocks, far from having impacts on local residents. But this is not the case at all. The developers are putting them close to the powerlines and to road access, which means they are extremely close to towns, villages and community members. They are literally surrounding communities. Many residents are seniors. Some families have been living in these impacted areas for generations. Others had moved there to experience the quiet country life that we all know and love. Their peace has been shattered. In the case of the Sunny Corner Wind Farm, some residents were given maps that showed 300-metre turbines less than one kilometre from their homes. I had one resident approach me with a map to tell me he'd sunk all his super into his small plot of land and he now wouldn't be able to sell it because of turbines in such close proximity, and he pointed out one that was just 700 metres away. People in the cities just don't understand the stress and anguish residents f…
date: 2025-11-03T10:03:00+00:00