A petition debate brought on by my good mate and Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke in Parliament this week raised credible concerns about the NSW Government’s overreliance on department advice, and lacking consultation with frontline staff and local communities in regional and rural healthcare settings.

The Protect Regional and Rural Health Service in NSW petition was tabled in the NSW legislative assembly on Thursday afternoon.

It was debated by eight other members of the NSW Parliament, including myself and Health and Regional Health Minister Ryan Park.

The debate was respectful and highlighted several concerns with Rural and Regional Health care and departmental advice that is given back to the Minister.

You can watch the full debate by heading to the NSW Legislative Assembly Facebook page or via the link: https://www.facebook.com/NSWAssembly/videos/1056378303093204/

Oxley Highway update

Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer, Member for Oxley Michael Kemp, and I have been pressing the NSW Government for answers on the reopening of the Oxley Highway.

At this stage, Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison has indicated it will be reopened within two weeks with crews working on the landslips which have seen the road closed since the May wet weather event.

Member for Northern Tablelands, Brendan Moylan, Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer and Member for Oxley Michael Kemp have been pressing the NSW Government for answers on the reopening of the Oxley Highway.

Parliamentary sittings

I was back in Parliament for this week for the June sittings.

I have delivered Community Recognition Statements on the Glen Innes Elks celebrating 50 years, the Ezidi food and bakery, the Armidale Post Office’s 145th anniversary, Bruce Myers, Inverell Aquatic Centre, Armidale Central Rotary Club book fair, Henry Raymond, NEGS 130th anniversary, and the Armidale Branch of United Hospital Auxiliary.

This week I put forward Questions On Notice on feral pig combatting expenditure, money spent on the New England Highway in recent years, money spent on the Oxley Highway in recent years, how many landslips in total on the Oxley Highway, and supporting small businesses in Walcha.

National Parks camping fees ePetition

An ePetition has been launched to oppose a proposal by the NSW Government to increase camping fees in National Parks which would see families prevented from engaging with regional parts of the state.

If the cost of camping in our National Parks increases, other parts of the region like small businesses could suffer.

The Government should be encouraging tourism by developing more campgrounds and improving accessibility, allowing more people to experience the beauty of the great outdoors.

The petition is open until August 21 and can be found at: Keep camping affordable for all Australians in NSW National Parks.

Double demerits in force

Double demerits are in place from Friday, June6  to Monday, June 9 over the King’s Birthday long weekend.

The NSW Police Force will target speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle helmet offences.

Adult Migrant English Program

The AMEP Volunteer Tutor Program is a sub-program of the Adult Migrant English Program.

It offers informal language tuition for migrants and refugees. This tuition is provided by trained volunteers on a one-to-one basis, either online or face-to-face, outside the classroom environment.

Volunteering with the AMEP at TAFE NSW will provide you with an opportunity to meet new people and understand a range of cultures; help new arrivals settle into their new life in Australia; and develop new skills or enhance existing knowledge and expertise.

Visit TAFE NSW AMEP for more information on how to volunteer.

NSW Parliament school tour subsidy

Regional, rural and remote schools can access a travel subsidy when visiting NSW Parliament in 2025. For more information visit NSW School Tour Travel Subsidy.

Service NSW mobile centres

Service NSW is bringing their mobile service centre to Toomelah, Boggabilla and Mungindi.

The mobile service centre can help with driver knowledge tests, drivers licence applications and renewals, working with children check, birth, death and marriage certificates, and more.

The mobile service centre will be at the Medical Centre Toomelah on Tuesday, June 17 from 9am to 11am.

The mobile service centre will be at Boggabilla Community Health Centre 74 Merriwa Street on Tuesday, June 17 from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.

The mobile service centre will be at Barwon River Park, 155 St George Street Mungindi on Wednesday, June 18 from 10am to 3pm.

Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands