MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan says the 2026-27 NSW Budget presents a mixed picture for the electorate with some positive outcomes but falls short in some key areas.

Mr Moylan welcomed the continued funding of the Moree and Glen Innes Hospital redevelopments and said the addition of a new public preschool in Inverell was much-needed.

“Overall, the Northern Tablelands has fared okay compared to other regional electorates,” he said.

“The positive out of the budget for the Northern Tablelands is the continued guarantee of the redevelopment of the Moree and Glen Innes Hospitals, with funds being secured from the 2026-27 budget to make significant inroads into the Glen Innes Hospital and to finalise Moree.

“Healthcare is a major concern across the region so to have those projects locked in is a step in the right direction. We just need the government to now commit to staffing those hospitals adequately, and all hospitals across regional NSW.

Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan said there’s good and bad in this year’s budget.

“Inverell will receive a new public preschool which will enter the planning stage this year.

“The budget also secures the completion of the new preschools at Warialda and Toomelah.”

Other positives included just under $100 million allocated for roads in addition to the usual road maintenance budget, $5.5 million for the Pindari Dam cold water pollution project, $6 million for social housing and continued funding secured for the Moree Special Activation Precinct.

Although these projects are positive, Mr Moylan said the budget has fallen short for regional areas, particularly in crime and agriculture.

“There are a few positives but overall but the government’s focus is Western Sydney,” he said.

“This is clearly an election budget designed to win votes in Western Sydney.

“The government has failed to provide relief for regional Australians by not bringing back the Regional Seniors Travel Card or Active Kids Vouchers.

“There’s also no allocation to ensure community preschool teachers are paid fairly, nothing of substance for feral animal control, no police housing guarantees or nothing to ensure community preschool teachers are paid fairly.

“It is disappointing that there is no line item to lock in the Moree drone trial which has been working. I want that to be made permanent, and to be rolled out across our electorate.

“Overall there are a few wins but there are key omissions when it comes to looking after the needs of people in regional New South Wales.”