I was back in Parliament last week for the first of the September sitting weeks.

I delivered Community Recognition Statements on the Uralla Community Spirit, Transport to Treatment, Sweetie Pie’s Bake Shop, ASC’s Nyla Chemane, Glen Innes’ Judy Vivers, Walcha’s Friends of Riverview, Special Olympics North West New England – Polar Plunge, Gather for Gwydir and Adair Beattie was awarded RFS National Medal.

I tabled Questions On Notice on the Ambulance Station renovations, energy infrastructure, Moree Secondary College, virtual doctor equipment, doctor replacements, the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTASS), teacher housing, and ambulance transfer flights.

I presented a Notice of Motion calling on the state government to reject the use of laptops on trolleys (virtual doctors) instead of doctors being physically present in the emergency replacing doctors in hospital emergency department.

My Private Members’ Statement was also on the lack of doctors in emergency departments and I put forward a number of solutions that both levels of government should implement to address this ongoing crisis.

Brendan Moylan and Inverell mayor Kate Dight at the opening of the Inverell Aquatic Centre on Friday.

Inverell Pool official opening

The official opening of the new Inverell Aquatic Centre took place on Friday.

The $26 million facility was jointly funded by Inverell Shire Council and the previous State Government.

It is a fantastic facility for the entire region and will allow big regional events to be held there. Well done to everyone involved in the project. The new aquatic centre is proof people in the bush can have access to top level sporting facilities.

The result of the celebrity race, where I am sure I beat Inverell mayor Kate Dight, is still being reviewed by the stewards.

$6.35 million for Newell Highway

More than $6.3 million has been secured for the Newell Highway North of Moree at Tackinbri creek to improve safety. Road reconstruction, surface improvements and a wider centreline will be included in the work.

I have been advocating for the NSW Government to put more money into roads across the Northern Tablelands since being elected in 2024.

It is crucial roads and highways, such as the Newell, are made safe durable, and able to withstand constant traffic and all types of vehicles. These regional routes should be a priority and I am committed to continue pushing the NSW Government for more investment into our roads.

The state government needs to start funding local council roads properly. Some of our local council roads in the electorate are rapidly deteriorating and it should not be left for local ratepayers to wear this burden.

Warialda CWA Hall funding

A $36,172 grant from the Community Building Partnership program was secured for the Warialda CWA for a wheelchair access point can be constructed at the hall. It is a central point for the entire town and hosts many different activities. There is no wheelchair access at all so having one will be a huge benefit.

Free legal advice

LegalAid will be running free clinics with lawyers from their Family Law Service for Aboriginal Communities and Civil Law Service for Aboriginal Communities in Moree next week.

They will provide help with housing, fines, the NDIS, Centrelink, family breakdown, care and protection, domestic and family violence, child support or sorting out property after separation.

They will be at Pius X Aboriginal Corporation Social and Emotional Well-Being Clinic, 165 Balo Street, Moree between 10am and 4pm next Wednesday, September 17 and Moree Local Court, Frome Street, Moree between 10am and 4pm.

What’s on

As always, there is plenty on in our region if you wish to support local events.

Warialda Honey Festival on September 13 from 10am until 3pm at Warialda Green Space Park; Wind quintet, Arcadia Winds will be playing at Armidale Town Hall on Sunday, September 14 with tickets at Arcadia Winds Tix; St Philomena’s Spring Fair is on Sunday, 14 September from 10.30am until 1pm; Antiques and Collectables Fair 2025 at Uralla Neighbourhood Centre-RSL Memorial Hall, 27 Salisbury St, Uralla on Saturday, September 20 from 9am until 5pm; Meet your local RFS firefighters at Armidale Fire Control Centre, 41 Shand Dr, Armidale on September 20 at 9am; and author Christine Sykes talk at Bingara Library on September 26 at 11.30am until 1pm. Call to book on 02 6724 2064.

Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands