The Minns Labor Government rejected the NSW Opposition’s amendments to address doli Incapax in the Children (Criminal Proceedings) and Young Offenders Legislation Amendment Bill 2025.

The amendments would have strengthened laws for repeat youth offenders, bringing doli Incapax in line with the Queensland model.

The Bill in its current form is a good start but if the Government was serious, it would have shown some bipartisanship and worked with the opposition on our amendments.

Walcha Little Athletics

The sum of $11,733 from the Community Building Partnership fund has been secured for Walcha Little Athletics to purchase new equipment.

Walcha Little As has around 40 registrations and the new equipment will widen the scope of sports on offer. It is an important investment for the future of young athletes in the region.

Storms

There was widespread damage across the Northern Tablelands on Wednesday with Warialda and Uralla copping the most damage.

Roofs were torn off buildings, numerous trees came down and many homes and businesses were without power for up to 24 hours.

Thank-you to crews from the SES and Essential Energy for working around the clock in the clean-up.

I am liaising with the NSW Government to ensure Gwydir and Uralla councils have all the support they need.

Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan congratulates Walcha Coffee for taking out the top gong at the recent NSW state business awards.

Walcha visit

It was excellent to get down to Walcha on Friday with Business NSW honouring Walcha Coffee for taking out the top gong at the NSW state business awards.

Congratulations again to Cameron and his team for their achievements.

While in Walcha, I also caught up with and thanked the paramedics from the Ambulance Station who were incredible in their response to the incident at the Motorcycle Rally’s demolition derby.

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.

Clubgrants Category 3 funding – applications open

Clubgrants Category 3 fund infrastructure grant applications close on 15 December. Not-for-profit organisations, schools and councils can apply for funding to assist with the costs of construction, alteration, renovation, completion and fit-out of buildings and community infrastructure.

Grants vary from $50,000 and are up to $300,000 for community spaces (available to the public). Please my contact my office and ask for Kaye for funding opportunities and letters of support.

More information at Clubgrants Category 3 Funding.

Transmission line feedback extended

EnergyCo has extended the time for public comment on the revised New England Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) transmission line from Bayswater Power Station at Muswellbrook and the central south hub near Walcha.

The requests for more information on the selection of the three kilometre-wide study area corridor, which will eventually be narrowed to a final easement of 140 metres-wide, will now see comment close on Friday, December 12.

For contact information and updates, visit EnergyCo New England.

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 for the Rejection of the New Transmission Line Corridor.

NSW Parliament regional travel subsidy increase

Schools located more than 120km from Sydney can now get a travel subsidy of $500 if they include a trip to NSW Parliament in their travels.

Schools are required to book a tour or workshop with the education team at NSW Parliament and fill out an application form to receive the subsidy.

Contact the team by phoning (02) 9230 2047 or email [email protected] to book in and apply.

What’s On

November 28: Inverell East Rotary Christmas Fair from 4pm at Campbell Park

November 29: Moree Services Club monster toy and electrical raffle from 3pm

November 29: Bingara Christmas concert at Gwydir Oval from 7pm

November 29: Christmas in the Highlands at Glen Innes Town Square 3pm until 10pm

December 4: Armidale Christmas in the mall from 4.30pm

Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands