I have been on the road, meeting with people in the Far West to talk about the Central Darling Shire Council coming out of administration in 2024.
It is important to consult with the community on these sorts of things since they will be the most directly affected by whatever happens with the reorganised council. I went to Wilcannia, Ivanhoe, White Cliffs and Menindee, followed by a trip to Broken Hill to help unveil a blue plaque in honour of a famous former resident. Last week I was in and around Narrabri. Wishing everyone a Merry and Safe Christmas and New Year.
International Day for People With Disability
Earlier this month NSW Parliament hosted a morning tea for the International Day of People with Disability, a day acknowledging the contributions of the 4.4 million Australians with a disability and reminding us that we can all be doing more to make the life of those with disabilities better.
This year’s theme was “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world.”
The keynote speaker at the morning tea was the inspiring Jaci Armstrong. She told some of her story: she was born premature, blind in one eye and vision impaired in the other, she also has a twin sister with cerebral palsy. Her mother became a problem solver, finding workarounds and solutions to make her daughters’ lives better.
It inspired Jaci to become a problem solver, which, she says, all disabled people naturally are. But they should not have to be the only innovators, we all need to be looking at how we can all change things and innovate to make the lives of people with disabilities better.
Jaci said we need to “be proactive, engaged and to speak up” for people with a disability.
Government’s vision for the regions
The government recently announced that it would be trialling its $30 million investment to give extra support to teachers, healthcare professionals and police to encourage them to relocate to the regions.
The program will be trialled in eight locations across the state, including Broken Hill and Walgett, next year, with a longer-term goal of rolling it out to more locations in 2024.
This is a good thing, but it is really only a start. After the drought, mouse plague, pandemic and now floods, we need to be encouraging more key workers to move to the regions, but the government should go even further and allow government sector workers to work remotely from the regions.
This is something I proposed in a bill in 2020, which the government voted down, before later proposing the same thing (but so far failing to follow through).
Also, this incentive scheme doesn’t really go far enough to remove other major barriers to people moving to the regions, like having enough housing to put all of these extra key workers (another initiative announced is for $174 million for key worker housing, which is still not enough).
There is also a critical shortage of other workers in the regions that needs to be addressed because when teachers, police and healthcare workers move to the regions, they are going to want other services such as childcare, hairdressers, taxi drivers, hospitality staff, retail assistants and tradesmen.
The incentives for key workers are only a start, there needs to be a broader initiative to keep the population and prosperity of regional NSW on its upward trajectory.
Summer safety
Although the weather hasn’t exactly been hot, summer is officially underway, which means the holiday season is just around the corner for many people. But before heading out to enjoy yourself with the usual summer fun, it is important to remember to play it safe.
Earlier this year a report by Royal Life Saving Australia noted an alarming rise in drowning deaths, especially in rivers and creeks, where 34 per cent of drownings occur.
Those numbers have been increased by the danger of floods, which is still with us and may be right through summer. Many towns along our river systems are still facing floods in the coming weeks and months. Swimming in swollen rivers, creeks, dams or lakes can pose risks, including strong currents and hidden obstacles washed into the waterways during the floods.
Remember the Royal Lifesaving message to look out for each other around the water, try to only swim in places where people can look out for you if you get into trouble and wear life jackets if you are in a boat out on the water.
Summer also holds other dangers out of the water. The floods have damaged many roadways, so if you are driving anywhere over the holidays check for road closures, always drive to the conditions, go slower where you know there are potholes or water across the road and never drive while tired.
Heavy rains have also meant a lot more growth in our forests. In places where the rain has stopped, and that new growth is now drying out, there is an increased risk of bushfire. People in areas prone to bushfires should start preparing their homes and property and prepare a bushfire survival plan.
NSW Emergency Services urges people to follow these steps:
* Know your risk: think about the area you’re in and the types of disasters that could affect you.
* Plan now for what you will do: talk with your family and plan for what you will do if a disaster affects your area or where you plan to holiday this summer.
* Get your home ready: prepare your home by doing general home maintenance and checking your insurance coverage.
* Be aware: find out how to prepare, what to do if there is a disaster in your area or where you intend to holiday this summer and connect with emergency services or keep on top of local news reports to stay informed.
* Look out for each other: share information with your family, friends and neighbours.
Stay safe, everyone, and enjoy your Summer.
Christmas message
It has been a tough year for many people, but I sincerely hope things will improve for everyone in the new year. I will be doing all I can in parliament to make that a reality.
In the meantime, I want to wish everyone a safe and prosperous festive season, a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Travel safely, spend time with friends, family and loved ones, and for those who get no downtime over this period, particularly those in the emergency services dealing with floods, we want to thank you for all that you do.
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On the road meeting people in Far West and visiting Narrabri
Dec 20, 2022
I have been on the road, meeting with people in the Far West to talk about the Central Darling Shire Council coming out of administration in 2024.
It is important to consult with the community on these sorts of things since they will be the most directly affected by whatever happens with the reorganised council. I went to Wilcannia, Ivanhoe, White Cliffs and Menindee, followed by a trip to Broken Hill to help unveil a blue plaque in honour of a famous former resident. Last week I was in and around Narrabri. Wishing everyone a Merry and Safe Christmas and New Year.
International Day for People With Disability
Earlier this month NSW Parliament hosted a morning tea for the International Day of People with Disability, a day acknowledging the contributions of the 4.4 million Australians with a disability and reminding us that we can all be doing more to make the life of those with disabilities better.
This year’s theme was “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world.”
The keynote speaker at the morning tea was the inspiring Jaci Armstrong. She told some of her story: she was born premature, blind in one eye and vision impaired in the other, she also has a twin sister with cerebral palsy. Her mother became a problem solver, finding workarounds and solutions to make her daughters’ lives better.
It inspired Jaci to become a problem solver, which, she says, all disabled people naturally are. But they should not have to be the only innovators, we all need to be looking at how we can all change things and innovate to make the lives of people with disabilities better.
Jaci said we need to “be proactive, engaged and to speak up” for people with a disability.
Government’s vision for the regions
The government recently announced that it would be trialling its $30 million investment to give extra support to teachers, healthcare professionals and police to encourage them to relocate to the regions.
The program will be trialled in eight locations across the state, including Broken Hill and Walgett, next year, with a longer-term goal of rolling it out to more locations in 2024.
This is a good thing, but it is really only a start. After the drought, mouse plague, pandemic and now floods, we need to be encouraging more key workers to move to the regions, but the government should go even further and allow government sector workers to work remotely from the regions.
This is something I proposed in a bill in 2020, which the government voted down, before later proposing the same thing (but so far failing to follow through).
Also, this incentive scheme doesn’t really go far enough to remove other major barriers to people moving to the regions, like having enough housing to put all of these extra key workers (another initiative announced is for $174 million for key worker housing, which is still not enough).
There is also a critical shortage of other workers in the regions that needs to be addressed because when teachers, police and healthcare workers move to the regions, they are going to want other services such as childcare, hairdressers, taxi drivers, hospitality staff, retail assistants and tradesmen.
The incentives for key workers are only a start, there needs to be a broader initiative to keep the population and prosperity of regional NSW on its upward trajectory.
Summer safety
Although the weather hasn’t exactly been hot, summer is officially underway, which means the holiday season is just around the corner for many people. But before heading out to enjoy yourself with the usual summer fun, it is important to remember to play it safe.
Earlier this year a report by Royal Life Saving Australia noted an alarming rise in drowning deaths, especially in rivers and creeks, where 34 per cent of drownings occur.
Those numbers have been increased by the danger of floods, which is still with us and may be right through summer. Many towns along our river systems are still facing floods in the coming weeks and months. Swimming in swollen rivers, creeks, dams or lakes can pose risks, including strong currents and hidden obstacles washed into the waterways during the floods.
Remember the Royal Lifesaving message to look out for each other around the water, try to only swim in places where people can look out for you if you get into trouble and wear life jackets if you are in a boat out on the water.
Summer also holds other dangers out of the water. The floods have damaged many roadways, so if you are driving anywhere over the holidays check for road closures, always drive to the conditions, go slower where you know there are potholes or water across the road and never drive while tired.
Heavy rains have also meant a lot more growth in our forests. In places where the rain has stopped, and that new growth is now drying out, there is an increased risk of bushfire. People in areas prone to bushfires should start preparing their homes and property and prepare a bushfire survival plan.
NSW Emergency Services urges people to follow these steps:
* Know your risk: think about the area you’re in and the types of disasters that could affect you.
* Plan now for what you will do: talk with your family and plan for what you will do if a disaster affects your area or where you plan to holiday this summer.
* Get your home ready: prepare your home by doing general home maintenance and checking your insurance coverage.
* Be aware: find out how to prepare, what to do if there is a disaster in your area or where you intend to holiday this summer and connect with emergency services or keep on top of local news reports to stay informed.
* Look out for each other: share information with your family, friends and neighbours.
Stay safe, everyone, and enjoy your Summer.
Christmas message
It has been a tough year for many people, but I sincerely hope things will improve for everyone in the new year. I will be doing all I can in parliament to make that a reality.
In the meantime, I want to wish everyone a safe and prosperous festive season, a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Travel safely, spend time with friends, family and loved ones, and for those who get no downtime over this period, particularly those in the emergency services dealing with floods, we want to thank you for all that you do.