A total of $1.38 million in funding from the NSW Government was secured for the Australian Natural Therapeutics Group’s facility in Armidale which will create 20 new jobs.

The $1.38m is part of as larger $6.93m injection to create jobs in cultivation, manufacturing, and quality and logistics as well as infrastructure upgrades to improve and expand on current processes. I was happy to support ANTG in its funding application and it is fantastic to see more jobs created in Armidale. It showcases the world-class industries we have here and ensures growth into the future.

The Clothesline Project

The Armidale Women’s Shelter held a community event in the Mall on Wednesday to raise awareness and give victims of domestic and gender-based violence.

The Clothesline Project was an event where survivors shared their emotions by designing t-shirts with messages. Their stories are incredibly confronting, but the event brought people together to stand against domestic violence.

Virtual fencing now legal

Virtual fencing in NSW has finally been made legal. Virtual fencing systems allow farmers to confine and move animals without physical fences using GPS, wireless and sensor technology.

It has enormous benefits to agriculture as well as to the land and environment through easier pasture management, protecting sensitive environments, monitoring animal health.

Virtual fencing makes moving stock during major weather events much easier.

It will lower fencing costs, protect biodiversity, reduce stock handling, and improve grazing accuracy.

It is a commonsense decision and I am glad to see it finally get over the line.

School Presentations

More school presentations were held across the Northern Tablelands this week.

Thank you to Glen Innes High School, St Joseph’s Uralla, Bundarra Central School, Armidale City Public School, Armidale Secondary College and O’Connor Catholic College for inviting me.

Congratulations to all award recipients, and parents and teachers for a great year.

Workers’ compensation

The impasse over workers compensation reform in New South Wales has finally been resolved.

I can report that this week the NSW Opposition secured significant improvements to Labor’s Workers Compensation proposals, delivering certainty for employers, stronger protections for injured workers, and greater stability for the scheme.

Under the agreement that was achieved this week iCare premiums will be frozen at current rates for 18 months, the most seriously injured workers will receive an additional 12 months of medical benefits and income support and funding for return-to-work programs has increased, including retraining, mentoring and specialist case workers.

I’m very pleased with this agreement as small businesses and charities should not be heading into the Christmas period facing unknown premium shocks and injured workers deserve certainty about their recovery and support.

This is not the end of reform, while this agreement stabilises the workers compensation system in the short term, I remain committed to long-term, structural reform to ensure the Workers Compensation scheme is financially sustainable for small businesses and fair for injured workers.

Curtis Park café

Earlier this year, $140,000 in funding was secured for Armidale Regional Council from the NSW Government’s Local Small Commitment Allocation program to convert a shipping container into a mobile café for Curtis Park.

Now that café is closer to being open with council opening up Expressions of Interest from local food and beverage operators to run the space.

At this stage, the lease is for a 12-month licence agreement.

To request an EOI form, contact Armidale Town and Country Real Estate or email [email protected].

EOIs close on January 23, 2026.

Youth Parliament

Applications for the Youth Parliament program are now open to young people who are entering years 10, 11 and 12 in 2026.

Youth Parliament empowers young people to represent their community and have a voice in Parliament. If chosen as a youth representative, participants have the option to represent their electorate in the Lower House or represent NSW as a member of the Upper House.

They also receive a portfolio and have the opportunity to write a Youth Bill that addresses in the community.

The training camp will be in Sydney in April. For more information and how to apply, visit

Community Services Youth Parliament.

Applications are open now and close on Sunday, January 4.

Legal Aid Seniors Diary

The very popular and free Legal Aid Seniors Diary is back for 2026.

It is full of useful tips and legal information on avoiding scams, goods and services, driving and fines, Elder abuse, money and Centrelink, and much more.

The Seniors Diary features a calendar, important dates and puts legal information in an understandable and easy-to-read format.

I encourage seniors across the region to secure their copy. The 2026 Seniors Aid Legal Diaries are free but limited to two per household. It is available by contacting the Armidale, Moree and Inverell electorate offices. The diary’s cover features artwork by Aboriginal artist Shelby-Rae Lyons.

ePetition for the rejection of the new transmission line corridor

Anna Young from Walcha has launched a Parliamentary ePetition which opposes the re-routed transmission corridor from Bayswater to Walcha.

It needs 20,000 to be debated in Parliament.

To view and sign, visit ePetition Against Transmission Line Corridor.

Christmas lunches

Inverell: Food For The Soul projects free Christmas takeaway meal on Christmas Eve at 35 Vivian Street (behind the Salvation Army Church Hall).

Registration required, with meals are limited. Call Zoe Hannam on 0432 215323 or via the Food For The Soul Facebook page.

Armidale: Armidale Uniting Church Christmas Day lunch from 11.30am with cold cuts of ham and chicken, salads, ice-cream, pavlova and pudding.

Dietary requirements catered for. Contact: [email protected]

What’s On

Friday, December 12: Christmas at Twilight, Moree from 5pm until 9pm at Ron Harborne Oval.

Saturday, December 13: Armidale Central Rotary Club Christmas book sale 10am – 5pm at the book shed.

Saturday, December 13: Carols at St Peter’s Anglican Cathedral 6pm until 8pm.

December 16-19: Cricket NSW under 13s youth championships in Armidale.

Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands