The Bureau of Health Information’s Healthcare Quarterly report reveals the number of people leaving emergency departments without, or before completing, treatment is increasing across the state at an alarming rate.

The numbers show demand at Armidale, Inverell and Moree Hospitals has increased and more people are leaving emergency departments without, or before completing, treatment due to large wait times.

The numbers reflect the significant decline in staff availability, health services and funding in regional areas under the current state government.

This is hardly news to any of us, we have been pushing for better health outcomes for a long time but this data is cold, hard evidence of how under pressure our hospitals are.

Armidale Hospital has had a 67 per cent increase in people leaving emergency departments without, or before completing, treatment with a nearly three and a half hour wait time to see a doctor or nurse. At Inverell, more than seven per cent of people who present with a serious health concern are transferred to another hospital which then puts more pressure on that hospital.

Our nurses and health care workers carry the overwhelming burden of these numbers.

They are overworked and deserve better. Patients deserve a system which works and our nurses and health care staff deserve adequate support and resources to provide proper care.

If the government is serious about healthcare in regional NSW, there needs to be genuine investment and staff support to match the demand put on our hospitals.

Fuel crisis

Fuel prices across the region have skyrocketed and many independent fuel suppliers are experiencing long periods without anything in their tanks.

We saw diesel hit $3.39 per litre in Armidale. Despite this, Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen continues to claim there is no problem.

NSW Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, admitted on Monday during budget estimates she had not even contacted her federal counterparts about the growing fuel supply crisis affecting regional communities.

Many regional suppliers have contacted me saying they are either being refused supply or being charged through the roof for fuel.

These operators report their deliveries have been cut back or cancelled entirely, with indications that supply is being prioritised to large metropolitan operators.

I have made urgent representations to the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy of Australia Chris Bowen requesting they urgently sort this out.

Regional New South Wales should not be left to deal with fuel shortages or opportunistic wholesale prices while governments in Sydney and Canberra pretend nothing is wrong.

Glen Innes Youth Booth

More than $385,000 was secured for the Glen Innes Youth Booth, a service supported Glen Innes Severn Council which provides support, opportunities and activities for people aged 12 to 24.

It was great to visit the Youth Booth this week and see all the work they do within the community.

Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan opened the 2026 Armidale Show last weekend.

150th Armidale Show

The Armidale and New England Show Society celebrated their 150th show on Friday and Saturday with record numbers across a range of competitions.

It was an honour to open the show on Friday night. Well done to the committee for putting on another fantastic event. Congratulations to the three new life members – Kelso Looker, Glenda Fittler and Lee Robinson.

Walcha Show is this weekend and it promises to be another great country show.

New England Highway upgrades near Uralla completed

A $15.7 million upgrade on the New England Highway at Kentucky has now been completed.

The funding was secured through the Road Safety Program and saw four kilometres of the highway improved through road alignment, upgraded barriers, line marking, wider road shoulders, new rumble strips, extended overtaking lanes and additional safety barriers.

Hidden Treasures Honour Roll

Nominations for the Hidden Treasures Honour Roll are now open.

It recognises the important roles women and girls play within regional, rural and remote communities.

Women and girls can be nominated by friends, peers, or the organisation they volunteer for, as long as the nominator is over 18. To check eligibility and to nominate someone, visit

Hidden Treasures Honour Roll.

Active Regional Communities Package

A new round of funding for communities in regional NSW has been unveiled. $50 million has been allocated to three streams:

Regional Events and Partnerships: For regional communities to attract or develop new events, increase accessibility of existing events, boost local economies or upgrade infrastructure.

Community Participation: To support projects that improve access to local activities or services.

Local Priorities: To help community organisations expand activities.

Applications for all three streams will open over the next month and more information and how to apply can be found at Regional Development Trust Fund.

What’s on

March 13-14: Walcha Show

March 14: Grafton to Inverell (travels through Glen Innes)

March 14: Armidale Blues knockout

March 21: Armidale Autumn Festival

March 28-29: Seasons of New England, Uralla

Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands