The September parliamentary sittings came to an end last week.

I had the opportunity to speak about funding cuts in regional NSW, the lack of public paediatric services in the Northern Tablelands and the importance of reviving regional manufacturing.

I delivered Community Recognition Statements on Stuart and Lyndall Tighe, Cooper Collins, Mitch Therle, Matt Lynch, Charlotte Archibald, as well as the Moree Boars, the Armidale Festival of Lights, GLENRAC and Glenburnie Merino Stud.

I also used the opportunity to press the Government on the New England Weeds Authority, the blacklisting of tenants, and protection of victims under the Mental Health Review Tribunal.

I also brought up stopping the spread of the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus, defect and repair work carried out by Essential Energy, and asked for an update on the Moree Special Activation Precinct and the Moree Hospital redevelopment.

Out and about in the electorate

October is Small Business Month and it’s a great time to recognise and celebrate the vital role that small businesses play in our communities across the Tablelands.

Small businesses are more than just entities in enterprise; they are the heart of our communities, providing jobs, services, and unique local character. I’ll be highlighting a few local small businesses each week during October and first up is the well-known baby store “Tittle Tats” in Moree.

Wendy and her team have been running Tittle Tats for over 29 years, they are now dressing the kids of the babies they first dressed when they opened back in 1994!

In the electorate this week, I also met with Hunter New England Health executives and councils from across the Tablelands. The purpose of the meeting was to create an open conversation between the health district, mayors, and myself to ensure we’re all on the same page regarding health issues.

Northern Tablelands businesses suffer in ongoing energy dispute

The NSW Opposition is calling on the Minns Labor Government to intervene in the industrial dispute between the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) and the state’s major energy companies.

Months of ETU strike action has affected thousands of projects, including critical infrastructure like homes and roads, while pushing some local businesses to the point of bankruptcy.

I’ve had several constituents contact me about losing power during harvest.

Our energy workers do important work and are often the first responders when it comes to emergencies and disasters in regional NSW.

They are called out at night, on the weekend and during holiday periods to keep the lights on, and I hope a resolution is found soon.

But this action has been going for far too long and our local businesses are being held to ransom while the Minns Labor Government continues to sit on its hands.

We have been calling for the Premier, the Minister for Industrial Relations and the Minister for Energy to intervene under section 424 of the Fair Work Act, to stop this dispute from further damaging our economy.

We are seeing good local businesses forced to close their doors and it’s simply not good enough.

It is time for the Minns Government to step up and push for a resolution to be reached as quickly as possible, by showing real leadership and bringing all parties to the table.

National Police Remembrance Day

Sunday, September 29 held a special significance for Police throughout Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands.

It was a day to remember and honour our fallen officers whose lives have been tragically cut short while performing their duties as a Police Officer.

Thank you to our local officers who put their lives on the line and who dedicate themselves each and every day to keep our communities safe often in very difficult circumstances.

I had the opportunity to attend the New England Police District National Police Remembrance Day Service at the Our Lady of the Angels Chapel in Armidale.

It was a sombre and thoughtful service, with serving and retired police officers in attendance, as well as council staff, mayors, community representatives, members of the defence force and members of the public.

We also remember those who have lost their lives through illness, injury, or other circumstances, and we stand with those they have left behind.

‘Flow on’ effects for NSW under the National Water Agreement

I delivered a Private Members’ Statement in Parliament, urging the Minns Labor Government not to sign the National Water Agreement (NWA) which is currently under Commonwealth consultation.

I warned that the NWA should not be agreed to by NSW in its current form and its shortcomings, knowledge gaps, legal and financial ramifications must be addressed.

For those of us who live in the bush, water is a vital social and economic resource.

The NWA will replace the 2004 National Water Initiative (NWI) which was the was the result of 10 years of thorough consultation between States and the Commonwealth, and stakeholders. The NWI held Australia in good stead for 20 years.

In contrast, the Commonwealth Government is attempting to rush the NWA through in a matter of months and bully the States, including NSW into signing it by the end of this year.

The NWA is complex and will introduce significant changes that weaken secure, sustainable, and productive water use in NSW.

NSW is also likely to end up shouldering an increased resource and financial burden to deliver the Commonwealth’s Wishlist, a cost that will be passed onto water users and regional communities under the current NSW rural pricing model.

The NWA has been rushed which has resulted in water users the NSW Government insufficient time to fully comprehend the proposed changes and their potential impacts on consumptive water users and regional communities.

Long standing and well respected National and State representatives of rural water users were excluded from Commonwealth advisory bodies developing the NWA principles, despite their members being the most affected by the outcomes.

I am urging the State Government to protect the interests of our regional communities and NSW water users, the State Government must advocate for a more balanced, consultative process.

Further rounds of consultation are necessary to refine the NWA, ensuring that it promotes sustainable water management and protects the interests of all stakeholders, including irrigators in the Northern Tablelands and right across NSW.

Multicultural NSW Stronger Together Festival and Event Grants now open

The Multicultural NSW Stronger Together Festival and Event Grants Program provides funding for multicultural and multifaith community groups to deliver festivals and events that celebrate and embrace our state’s vibrant cultural diversity.

For more information and to apply visit: 24/25 Stronger Together Festival and Event Grants (Round 2) – Multicultural NSW (smartygrants.com.au)

Applications close on Friday, October 11.

Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program now open

The Local Sport Defibrillator program has opened. Up to $3000 is on offer for sporting organisations for the purchase of automated external defibrillators at sports facilities.

For more information and to apply visit: Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program| NSW Government

Applications close on Wednesday, November 27.

Commentary by State Member for Northern Tablelands, Brendan Moylan