It’s been a whirlwind first two weeks back in the NSW Parliament.

I made a commitment that I would return to parliament and deliver a challenge to the NSW government and federal governments to develop a structured approach to drought assistance and drought recovery.

Last week I delivered that challenge to the Parliament.

Every time a drought starts to end, the focus of all levels of government goes away from drought and water.

With the NSW government oscillating with no real legislative agenda, the issue of drought could be dealt with thoroughly before we find ourselves back in drought.

In addition to talking about drought I was able to secure a review into Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme with a view to increasing the rates of reimbursement and the application process.

The health minister has committed to having this done within six months, if you have an experience with IPTAAS you would like to share, please get in touch with my team.

I was also able to lead a public interest debate into regional digital connectivity – I brought this debate to parliament after the overwhelming response to my call out to you for information on mobile blackspots.

During the debate it was confirmed that of the $400m committed two years ago for digital connectivity less than 10 per cent has actually been spent. I’m putting pressure on the NSW government to not save this money for the next election, and to actually get it out the door, and make improvements to connectivity in regional NSW now.

I will be back on the road next week, out to Dubbo, Gilgandra, Binnaway and Coolah.

If you see me, flag me down and say g’day.

GAS EXPLORATION

Earlier this month I was contacted by a young farmer in the far west, they had received information about the NSW government’s exploration of large parts of the far west for conventional and unconventional tight gas.

The move by the NSW government through the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to put water resources at risk by investigating the release of land for conventional and tight gas resources around Hillston, Cobar, Wilcannia, Ivanhoe and Broken Hill does not have my support.

I do not support any extractive industry that puts our ground and surface water at risk, and opening up this land for gas would do just that.

I know there are many people in the electorate in the affected area who are yet to receive any information from the department, they failed to take into consideration how long it takes to get mail in the far west.

I raised this with the relevant ministers and the department, they have agreed to remove the deadline to register as part of the consultation.

To be involved in the consultation email [email protected] or call 02 9274 6164.

CONSULTATION INADEQUATE

It’s become an all too common experience for our communities – tick box consultation.

It’s not good enough, and I am taking the NSW government to task on it.

Last week’s fiasco with letters not being received, seven day windows to register to be consulted with regarding a project on your own property, surveys hidden on websites, and information presented in such a complex way it’s hard to figure out what the bureaucrats are actually talking about – I’m calling time on it.

Last week in parliament I delivered a notice to the NSW government that called on the government to establish clear standards for engagement with rural and remote communities that are developed with input from their elected representatives.

The current methods of engagement fail community expectations and show little respect for our views and opinions.

I’d be interested to hear your views on this issue, what works, what doesn’t, what’s been your experience with government consultation.

MOUSE PLAGUE

I have raised the issue of the mouse plague that is affecting parts of Barwon with the minister for agriculture.

He’s advised me that the NSW government has written to the federal government requesting permission from the Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority to use restricted poisons to get on top of this plague.

I’ve also written to Mark Coulton, the federal member for Parkes imploring him to put pressure on his colleagues to get a decision on this.

We need to act fast, the mice are already getting on top of us in some parts of the state, and we don’t need it getting any worse.

VOTING AGAINST RSPCA POWER

It was pretty lonely on the ‘no’ side of the chamber in parliament when it came to voting on increasing penalties available to the RSPCA to issue in NSW.

Just the three Shooters Fishers and Farmers party members voted against it.

Now I abhor cruel treatment of animals, I will personally intervene when I see someone being cruel, but that is not what it was about.

Last week the agriculture minister brought to parliament an amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979  which would see the penalties for animal cruelty increased.

Many people have gotten in contact with me raising concerns about the appropriateness of having the animal welfare charity the RSPCA responsible for the compliance and enforcement of POCTA.

The concern being that there is no mechanism to bring oversight to the behaviour of the RSPCA.

When we give an entity such significant power we need to balance that with the accountability and transparency for public confidence.

When I worked for NSW Police there were so many mechanisms that sought to balance the legislated power given to police officers with the accountability and transparency and procedural fairness that allowed avenue of compliant, appeal, independent review.

This doesn’t exist when it comes to the powers given to the RSPCA.

I have no problems with increasing penalties and I have no problem with reviewing POCTA – but it needs to be done properly.

There must be a rebalance in the powers given by the NSW government to the RSPCA and the public’s ability to hold them to account.

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