We are halfway through the November sittings.
This week, I delivered 12 Community Recognition Statements to recognise and congratulate outstanding achievements by people and organisations across the Northern Tablelands.
They included: Oliver Overton, New England Conservatorium of Music (New England Sings), Moree Lions Club, Bindaree Food Group, Charlie Ward, Kentucky Community Spirit, Thunderbolt Festival, Thomas Edward Cain, Walcha Motorcycle Rally, Norm and Diane Bazeley, Bingara Scrapheap Adventure Riders, and Mungindi Tennis Club.
I also tabled seven Questions on Notice on the critical shortage of midwives and obstetricians in the Northern Tablelands, Armidale being excluded from the Local Sports Defibrillator Program, on the Drought Infrastructure Fund guidelines, traceability of forensic patients to the Mental Health Review Tribunal, on the Energy Account Payment Assistance scheme, rising water prices, and the management of Harrisia Cactus.
I have also met with the Parliamentary Secretary for Health and the Minister for Police and Counter Terrorism to discuss local issues of importance to our Electorate.
Today (Friday), I addressed the house on the rise of youth crime across our electorate. As I have said before, crime is not just a Moree problem, it is a problem right across regional NSW.
In my private members statement to the house today I spoke about the problems our police and courts encounter when dealing with repeat young offenders.
I proposed amendments to address the difficulties encountered by police prosecutors in rebutting doli incapax and proposed an alternate scheme that courts could use to deal with young offenders. My PMS can be found here:
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/k2efUqwsOwsE2wBSbSG
Separately, I also had a chance to congratulate Norm and Dianne Beazley of Walcha for breeding the winner of the 2024 Melbourne Cup (Knights Choice). There was a lot of surprise in the house when I advised that Walcha now has two Melbourne Cup winners.
I also got the chance to catch up with the mayors and some of the general managers of local councils from across the Northern Tablelands while they were in Sydney for the Country Mayors Association meeting.
Supporting our nurses and midwives
I will continue to advocate for healthcare workers after thousands walked off the job on Wednesday as part of planned industrial action over a pay dispute.
Nurses and midwives are vital to our communities, and it is time they get paid accordingly.
Police were awarded a pay rise of up to 40 per cent over four years and our nurses and midwives should not be left behind.
I have called on NSW Premier Chris Minns to demonstrate his leadership to resolve this dispute and ensure our nurses are treated fairly. This dispute needs to end.
Cervical cancer screening tests
More than 40 per cent of eligible people are falling behind in cervical cancer screening tests.
The Cancer Institute of NSW has launched a campaign to remind people to put their health first and get tested.
A test is needed every five years and is recommended for people aged from 25 to 74.
For more information visit Cervical screening | Cancer Institute NSW – www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/prevention-and-screening/screening-and-early-detection/cervical-screening.
Parliament Unpacked: Reflections on Representation
You’re invited to attend the next Parliament Unpacked panel discussion where members of the Labor, Liberal and Independent parties, explore the three-fold role of a member of parliament: representative, legislator and scrutineer of government.
You can attend in-person or online.
Find out how members juggle the competing demands of their role.
For more information and to secure free tickets, please visit www.education.parliament.nsw.gov.au/parliament-unpacked-reflections-on-representation/
Service NSW Mobile Service Centres
Mobile Service Centres will be returning to Mungindi, Toomelah and Boggabilla.
The Mobile Service centres can help with Driver Knowledge Tests, driver licence, mobility parking and photo card applications, Working with Children Checks, NDIS worker checks, birth, deaths and marriage certificates, cost of living support, etc.
They will be at Toomelah on 17 December from 9am-11am at the Toomelah Community Centre.
The Mobile Service Centre will visit Boggabilla on Tuesday,17 December from 12pm-3pm at the Community Health Centre, 74 Merriwa Street.
As always, please get in touch with me if there is anything I can help with.
Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Norther Tablelands
