This past week was another busy week back in Canberra – it certainly feels like an election is coming.

On Tuesday I was delighted to catch up with Jezebella from Broken Hill and Molly from Dubbo as they were recognised as part of the ABC’s 2025 Heywire national writing program.

It was also a pleasure to meet with Claire and Nell from the Local & Independent News Association to discuss how they can support the strengthening of local journalism, while on Wednesday I took the chance to speak with representatives from Optus for an update on the regional mobile network sharing agreement between Optus and TPG Telecom.

Perhaps the highlight of the week was welcoming the boys from the Clontarf Foundation to Parliament House.

At the beginning of the week I spoke in the Federation Chamber about the visit, noting just how beneficial Clontarf has been to the lives of many Aboriginal boys in the Parkes electorate.

The boys were joined by many parliamentarians and staff to put on a great game of rugby league on Tuesday morning and I was filled with pride when meeting several Clontarf alumni from the Parkes electorate at a special morning tea on what may well have been my very last day in Parliament House.

It is connections like this that I will miss most when I retire.

Famers saved from food tax

Farmers and families have secured a huge cost-of-living win, after the Coalition forced Labor to bin its bad fresh food tax in Parliament last week.

Labor’s fresh food tax would have hurt families at the checkout as well as 84 agricultural commodities, which faced taxes to raise $150 million over three years, to pay for the risks created by their competitors using overseas imports.

Labor’s senseless and terrible tax idea will thankfully never see the light of day, after an enormous campaign by The Nationals in conjunction with industry and farmers. I am proud to be part of a Coalition that has saved families and farmers from this bad fresh food tax.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton (second from right) with Parkes electorate Clontarf alumni Quincy (Dubbo), Thomas (Broken Hill) and Zach (Gunnedah).

Telstra 3G Helpline

Telstra has launched a helpline to further support customers who need help after the closure of the 3G network.

Telstra will work with customers one-on-one to troubleshoot their issues.

For some, this may be quite straight forward with device setting updates, upgrading to a blue tick device or installing a go repeater; for others, it may require escalation to better understand what the network experience is in their specific location to provide tailored assistance.

Key information:

Customers can call 1800 990 853 between 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday AEDT.

Different device types and the diversity of Australia’s landscape mean that each customer’s experience is unique, which is why customers are encouraged to work directly with Telstra to troubleshoot their issues.

The helpline is staffed by a team of agents with deep knowledge on the transition to help troubleshoot why mobile experience may have changed For more visit: https://www.telstra.com/3g-closure