Roy’s Round Up

Parliament must be returned as soon as possible.

Together with my Upper and Lower House colleagues we are calling for the return of NSW Parliament as soon as possible.

New legislation and policy from government is being rushed through without any oversight from your elected representatives.

While Parliament doesn’t sit, the Government cannot be held to account by the people through their representatives.

It really is unprecedented to have these set of circumstances, where laws are being made that have huge impacts on peoples lives and livelihoods, without Parliamentary scrutiny.

Regional NSW and isolated regional communities are not figuring into decisions being made in Sydney. Drought, eligibility for assistance, and the unique risks coronavirus poses to our area need to be part of the discussion.

We also need to suspend any
decision that requires democracy. Water Sharing Plans, Independent Planning Commission decisions, and the SDL projects. Pause the lot.

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Support is available – just reach out

The impact of coronavirus on home finances will be significant for a number of families across the electorate. My Cobar Office has worked to pull together a list of the available support from phone, internet and electricity companies, and rebates available from the NSW Government to assist people covering the cost of living during these uncertain times.

The list is available on the homepage of my website www.roybutler.com.au

If you need someone to talk to the Virtual Psychologist service is one place you can turn to.

This service can be anonymous, it’s free and it’s 24 hours a day. All you need to do is text 0488 807 266.

Just texting something as simple as “Hi” is all you need to do.

Within a few minutes a fully qualified person will connect with you and talk via text about what is happening for you.

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Changes to supermarket purchasing limits and restocking challenges for the local supermarkets

Earlier this month Woolworths relaxed its purchasing limits for existing regional customers.

This was Woolies making good on a commitment they made to me after I made representations on behalf of the many families that contacted me with their concerns about the limits impacting on their ability to provide for their families and workers.

Those who are existing customers and live more than 100km from the store have increased limits on what they can purchase.

I know for some this change won’t help them, we really need everyone to return to their normal purchasing patterns so we can see all restrictions lifted.

In some of the smaller communities in Barwon stocks at the local supermarket haven’t been the same for many weeks now.

A number of people have raised concerns with me that the smaller supermarkets have been unable to compete with the buying power of the bigger companies – leading to empty shelves.

I’ve taken this issue to the Government for its investigation.

We must make sure our supermarkets are stocked across the board, and that prices are affordable for people.

Our doors are closed but we’re still working. My team has made the decision to close the offices to walk ins for the foreseeable future. We’re still here working and can be contacted via email: [email protected] or phone Cobar: 02 6836 3722 Narrabri 02 6792 1422 Broken Hill 08 8087 3315.

I’m available for meetings either over the phone or on videolink, please email [email protected] or phone 02 6792 1422 to arrange a time.