Andrew Gee
Calare · Independent · Australia
“She also plans to engage medical, nursing and allied health students, giving them a unique opportunity to assist local patients while gaining invaluable 'community credits' for their participation. This initiative proves once again that the spirit of community care is alive and well in Bathurst.”
“There just aren't as many providers in country areas, and participants and providers often have to travel long distances in order to meet and get those services delivered—and to help country Australians on the ground. So I will be supporting these amendments. I think they are very important for the modern Australia that we live in.”
“I wish to support the amendments moved by the member for Fowler. They are important amendments not only for the member for Fowler's electorate but for all electorates across this country.”
“I rise today to celebrate a wonderful new community initiative in the Central West, the official launch of the Friends of Bathurst Hospital. Hospitals can be daunting, confusing and stressful places for anyone to navigate.”
“I want to say a big thank you to outgoing Rotary Club of Bathurst Daybreak president, Craig Ronan, for his leadership over the past 12 months and offer my congratulations to incoming president Erik Mol.”
“Volunteer coordinator Sylvia Gore so beautifully put it: Our health service and its staff do such important work caring for our community every single day, and the Friends of Bathurst Hospital is an opportunity for people to support that work but also help look after one another too.”
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“In 2024-25 the value of Australian agricultural exports surged to $77.2 billion, or 15.1 per cent of Australia's total exported goods. These statistics demonstrate how important agriculture is to our country and also to the future of regional Australia. As the population of the world continues to increase, so too does the importance of food and water resources. Their social, economic and strategic importance can't be underestimated. This being the case, why hasn't anyone made any effort to safeguard our prime agricultural land? Other countries, like Canada, are way ahead of us. British Colombia, for example, has been protecting its best agricultural land for many years. As the Australian population grows, the footprints of our cities, towns and villages continue to grow as well.”
“It's hard to believe that a country which relies so much on agriculture to sustain it has never before passed legislation to protect the land that is the source of such bounty and prosperity. The member for Kennedy and I are committed to bringing this legislation before the parliament because this matter is urgent. Our prime agricultural land is at serious risk. The gross value of agricultural production has increased by 34 per cent in the past 20 years to $82.4 billion in 2023-24. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences has forecast that the gross value of agricultural production will be $95 billion in 2025-26. Agricultural exports were valued at $71.5 billion in 2023-24 and accounted for more than 10 per cent of all goods and service exports.”
“I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring immediately: the Member for Calare presenting a Bill for an Act to protect Australia's prime agricultural land, and for related purposes; debate on the second reading of the bill proceeding immediately for a period of no longer than one hour; and any questions required to complete passage of the bill then being put without delay. Today is a historic day for Australia. Today I bring to this House our country's first bill to protect Australia's prime agricultural land. It is legislation that is crucial to the future of our country. This bill will secure and safeguard not only Australia's prime agricultural land but also our nation's food security.”
“It's profoundly undemocratic and it will not be forgotten on the crossbench. At some point, our friends on that side of the aisle and our friends over here are going to need the crossbench, and we will remember the condescension and the sneering nature with which you have treated the crossbench members when it comes to this legislation. We will not forget this.”
“I rise to support the member for Bradfield in her comments and in her amendment. This parliament operates on the principle that every representative comes here with an equal voice. The fact that, on certain committees, crossbench members are effectively being shut out is profoundly undemocratic and shows that it's the old political parties at work. This is a case of the major parties looking down their noses and sneering at crossbench members by suggesting that somehow we can have crossbench members on some committees but, when it comes to defence and intelligence, they are going to be shut out. I think it is disgraceful, and I think the Australian public expects that everyone comes into this place and gets an equal go and has an equal say. The fact that the major parties are trying to shut out crossbench members is disgraceful.”
“The federal National Party, for all its talk, has not put forward any plans for an express road to Sydney. They are going to be out of power for years and have been reduced to a complaints desk. The state and federal Labor parties have no plan either. While the major parties dither, the traffic jams from the Central West to Sydney are worse than ever. Country people deserve better than this. We demand better from the major parties. We demand an expressway to Sydney.”
“In 2007, the National Party turned the first sod on the Bells Line of Road expressway. This kicked off a golden age of broken promises, delays and funding raids on a fast road over the Blue Mountains that all major parties are guilty of. The Bells Line of Road expressway was abandoned by the National Party when city people objected. So much for standing up for the bush! When they had the chance to build it, they squibbed it—12 years in power in New South Wales, nine years in power federally, and nothing's ever been built. Then, when it came to power, the current government grabbed $2 billion that the previous coalition government had allocated to the Great Western Highway, and we never saw it again. Not one of these major parties has any vision for an expressway to Sydney—not one.”
“Eugowra Community Children's Centre won two awards: the excellence in community award and the award for respectfully integrating First Nations knowledge and perspectives. And the award for excellence in inclusion went to Forbes Learning Ladder. Again, my congratulations go to all the winners and to the Central West Early Childhood Collaborative for a truly inspirational awards ceremony. We are very grateful for the wonderful work of all our early childhood educators. On behalf of this parliament, I thank and recognise them all.”
“The outstanding achievement award for everyday excellence went to Elly Mackinnon. And the families choice award winners, voted on by families, were Rachael Denning, for diploma; Tiarnah Maddams, for trainee; Haylee McIntosh, for certificate III; Sushil Khadka, for early childhood teacher; Amanda McGothigan, for daycare educator; and Caitlyn McDonald, for outside school hours. I also congratulate Pied Piper Preschool from Wallarawang for excellence in pedagogy and practice, Waratah Early Learning Centre, Orange, was awarded excellence in food and menu. Excellence in sustainability was awarded to Circle Early Learning, Blayney. Rise Early Learning, Orange, was awarded for excellence in team work and culture.”
“I also thank her fellow members of the Central West Early Childhood Collaborative, Kim Laird, Brad Campbell, Haylie Sloan, Janine Lewis and Samantha Stevenson. I also congratulate the wonderful nominees and award winners. The Molly Ticehurst memorial award for outstanding educator cert III went to Ivy Stack. Mila, Suphinda Wongsamphankhiri won the outstanding early childhood educator diploma award. Jan Mills was awarded the Charles Sturt University outstanding early childhood teacher. The outstanding early childhood trainee award went to Maddison Hotham. Meg Corby was awarded the out-of-school-hours educator. The outstanding family daycare educator award went to Susannah Davey. Carlie Chapman won the Samara Golding-Piper memorial award for excellence in leadership.”
“It's an honour to recognise a group of unsung heroes who underpin our communities: our early childhood educators. On the weekend it was my privilege to officially open the 2025 Central West Early Childhood Awards, presented by the Central West Early Childhood Collaborative. The awards, held in Bathurst, brought together around 300 early childhood educators from across the Central West. The awards recognise centres, leaders and educators who strive for excellence, create meaningful learning experiences and build strong connections with families and communities. These wonderful people are nurturing the promise of our region and our nation, and they deserve our sincere gratitude and appreciation. I would particularly like to thank the founder of the awards, Katherine Wilson, who is a truly inspirational leader in early childhood education.”
“My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. In 2007 the National Party turned the first sod on the Bells Line of Road expressway. This kicked off a golden age of broken promises, delays and funding raids on a fast road over the Blue Mountains that all major parties are guilty of, and the traffic jams from the Central West to Sydney are worse than ever. Will your government commit to turning the Great Western Highway into a genuine expressway to Sydney?”
“I congratulate and thank all of our wonderful tractor trekkers, including the tractor trek committee: director Malcolm Porter, deputy director Nick Clancey, treasurer Debbie Porter and secretary Melanie Bone—and, indeed, all of the wonderful volunteers who get behind the Tractor Trek. The small but mighty charity Little Wings flies sick children and their families from country areas to the city for medical treatment. They fly in and out of the Central West on a daily basis. The federal government currently assists Little Wings with $500,000 per year, and this funding is due to expire in 2027. The organisation costs $6 million a year to run. As a funding expiration looms, it's clear that more funding is needed, and it needs to be made permanent. I call on the government to support country people and country communities— (Time expired)”
“Today I rise to recognise the outstanding work of the Central West Charity Tractor Trek Group. Every year, the Tractor Trek takes place, which sees vintage tractors and their drivers trekking around the Central West to raise money for worthy causes, including the charity Little Wings. This year's trek just concluded and was conducted over three days and 300 kilometres around Rylstone and its surrounding districts. Besides the Tractor Trek, the trekkers hold a 24-hour Central West 'tractorthon'—where tractors run for 24 hours around Canowindra Showground—which this year raised a further $20,000 on top of the $150,000 for worthy causes, including Little Wings. At the Canowindra tractorthon, some even do laps in mankinis, and, trust me, you cannot unsee that!”
“They want these wind farms in state forests stopped. I commend the bill to the House and cede the rest of my speaking time to the honourable member for Kennedy, who will second it.”
“To put it beyond doubt, without limiting the definition of 'state forest', it includes the Sunny Corner State Forest near Portland and Lithgow, the Vulcan State Forest, the Mount David State Forest and the Gurnang State Forest—they are all in the Oberon area—and also the Canobolas state forest near Orange. But the bill and the operative clause are not limited to those named state forests; they're for any state forest. It's now up to all parties to get behind this bill. It's time for the major parties, notably the National Party, to fess up to their failures, stop the infighting, bickering and plotting, start being an effective opposition, and come and support this legislation. Our communities are tired of the failure. They're tired of the false promises and the empty words. They want their voices heard.”
“Why is anybody building anything on prime agricultural land? The state planning laws and regulations need an overhaul. Because successive state governments have abrogated their responsibilities, this bill steps in to fill a void created by their failure. My bill enables the federal government to use its constitutional powers to make laws to stop turbine developments in these state forests. This federal legislation would override failed state legislation. Clause 3 of the bill is the operative clause. It uses the corporations power within the constitution to provide that a corporation must not construct, install or commission a windfarm in a state forest.”
“It should not have come to this, and it would not have come to this if the National Party had done its job, but it has failed. Rather than pretending to ride around on white horses, the National Party should apologise, own up to its failure and come into this House and support this bill. All of the major parties have had a hand in this. They are all guilty of failing these residents. And it's been an ongoing failure across the political divide. All parties need to bear responsibility for it. The result of this failure is conflict and controversy. They have left others to pick up the pieces. You've got friends fighting with friends and family members pitted against family members over the back fence. It's a tragedy. And it all could have been avoided if politicians had simply done their jobs.”
“So, how did we get here It was a failure in politics and politicians; that's how we got here—politicians not doing their jobs. The problem is that windfarms are regulated by state planning laws. In 2021, when the New South Wales National Party passed a law to put windfarms in state forests, they did so without properly regulating and setting out the rights of impacted residents and neighbours. Exactly the same thing happened when the National Party created renewable energy zones in New South Wales. They, again, abjectly failed to properly regulate them. They caused more pain for residents with the failure of EnergyCo to properly consult and compromise. EnergyCo is a New South Wales government company that's building powerlines across the regions. The National Party did all this.”
“They tried to tell me how much they've compromised, but it was just words. After more than a year of engagement with this company, they'd hardly budged. Why? Because it's all being developed by RES, which is controlled by the McAlpine group of companies in the United Kingdom. Does the McAlpine group really care how the people of Molong feel? Clearly not. All these companies I've spoken to try to smooth it over by saying, 'It's all okay; we're going to try to sponsor the local footy team,' or the like. But that is cold comfort to the retirees who've just found out they're going to be surrounded on three sides by 300-metre turbines. It's a patronising and condescending attitude to hardworking Australians who just want to be left alone in the communities they love.”
“The community is in shock. I recently attended a community meeting at the Trunkey Creek hall, and the anger was real; the hurt was real. I've been working with local residents in other impacted communities for many years. While I've had some success in getting windfarms moved or modified for local residents, such examples are, sadly, few and far between. I believe that this is because, for all the so-call consultations and calming words of city based consultants on the ground, decisions about turbine placement are, for the most part, made in foreign boardrooms far, far away. It's a business decision. Moving turbines away for impacted residents costs money. I recently met with the developers of the Kerrs Creek Wind Farm near Molong. I wanted an update on how far they had gone to meet community concerns.”
“In the case of the Sunny Corner Wind Farm proposal the developer, Someva, has clearly placed turbines in locations that will cost them the least yet impact residents the most. Profit is being put ahead of people, and it's appalling. It's the same around Oberon, where the developers of the Pines Wind Farm have managed to turn a whole region against it. When I attended a so-called consultation at the Black Springs hall I asked the developers whether it is true that they were shopping turbines outside the boundaries of the state forests. I was assured that they were not. These assurances proved to be false. Shopping turbines outside of the boundaries of state forests is exactly what they have been doing, to such an extent that the developers are now pushing the proposal towards the small, close-knit farming community of Trunkey Creek.”
“In the case of the Sunny Corner Wind Farm, some residents were given maps that showed 300-metre turbines less than one kilometre from their homes. I had one resident approach me with a map to tell me he'd sunk all his super into his small plot of land and he now wouldn't be able to sell it because of turbines in such close proximity, and he pointed out one that was just 700 metres away. People in the cities just don't understand the stress and anguish residents feel when confronted by these developments so close to their homes. I've had residents tearfully tell me they can't sleep because of the stress and the strain. There is a real human cost to this that is too often lost, overlooked and ignored.”
“Fly-in fly-out, tick-a-box consultation from developers without meaningful engagement and genuine dialogue has been a feature of our residents' experiences. City people may think that putting turbines in state pine forests means they're out in the back blocks, far from having impacts on local residents. But this is not the case at all. The developers are putting them close to the powerlines and to road access, which means they are extremely close to towns, villages and community members. They are literally surrounding communities. Many residents are seniors. Some families have been living in these impacted areas for generations. Others had moved there to experience the quiet country life that we all know and love. Their peace has been shattered.”
“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. In the last parliament, I introduced a game-changing bill which would stop the building of wind farms in softwood pine plantations which are state forests. I introduced it because of the pain, anguish and anger that many of our local residents are feeling over wind farm proposals in these areas. That pain and anguish has not gone away, and politicians of all persuasions have failed to act. So I am bringing this bill back to this House, and it needs to be passed into law. I'm not against renewable energy. But what our communities are crying out for is reasonable and commonsense balance. I've attended numerous community meetings and consultations over these proposals. What residents are experiencing is very concerning.”
“The statistics the minister referred to paint an extremely grim picture of the crisis in this country, including that one in four women have experienced intimate partner violence since the age of 15 and one in five have experienced sexual violence. Our communities, and groups like Birds in the Bush and Housing Plus, work hard to support women and children impacted by domestic and family violence, but there is a limit to what they can do on their own. The New South Wales and Australian governments must do more to assist organisations such as these in their vital work.”
“During the past four years, Birds in the Bush have raised more than half a million dollars to support local services, refuges and victims of domestic and family violence. They've also raised enough funds through events and donations to commence a new education program called Bird Brains in high schools across the Calare electorate in 2026. In addition to fundraising and advocacy, Birds in the Bush are focusing on cultural change, raising greater awareness, education and fostering conversations, and promoting a more respectful and safer region and community. This morning in this House, the Minister for Social Services tabled the yearly report of the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission.”
“I'd like to thank the Housing Plus team, including the CEO, Justin Cantelo, transformation manager Rochelle Monaghan and everyone who made this community event such a success. Another organisation making a vital difference is regional advocacy group Birds in the Bush. Orange solicitor Vanessa Vazques founded the group in 2021 after witnessing the all-pervasive and commonality of domestic and family violence in the Central West. Vanessa saw a need to increase awareness of how prevalent domestic violence is and that it does not discriminate. I wish to recognise Vanessa's tireless work and acknowledge the Birds in the Bush committee members including Katie Baddock, Claire Fox, Kate Greenwood, Dan Cook, Amelia Morgan-Hunn, Karen Begnell and Zanna Christian.”
“I recently attended the opening of the new Housing Plus emergency domestic and family violence accommodation in Mudgee. These are new units built for women and children escaping violence. This development was a collaboration which included Mid-Western Regional Council, the Glencore mine and service delivery partner Barnardos. Housing Plus provides vital support right across the Calare electorate, including domestic and family violence services, homelessness services, employment pathways, post-release support, men's behaviour change programs and emergency accommodation through places like the Orchards. I was honoured to recently attend the Housing Plus White Tie Ball in Orange which helped raise $163,000 for the Orchard in Orange.”
“The far western Orana region had the highest rate of domestic violence related assault in the past 12 months, with 1,543 incidents—more than three times higher than the average for New South Wales. The Central West region had a rate of 694. Data from 2023 shows that one in 10 victims of domestic assault are young people, three in five are women, and Aboriginal women are eight times more likely to be a victim. These figures clearly demonstrate that regional and rural areas should be a priority for support to address this crisis. In the Central West of New South Wales, we are fortunate to have a number of organisations raising awareness and providing vital support for those escaping domestic, family and sexual violence. Housing Plus is one of those organisations.”
“Today I wish to recognise two hardworking organisations in our electorate of Calare, who are at the front line day in, day out helping women and children escape domestic, family and sexual violence. This House can be in no doubt about the scale of the scourge we are confronted with. According to the New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, rates of domestic violence and related assault are double in remote and regional areas compared to metropolitan areas. In terms of these domestic violence related assault figures, in the 12 months to June 2025, per 100,000 population, Greater Sydney recorded just over 369 incidents compared to 623 in regional New South Wales—that's nearly double.”
“Pollination-dependent crops such as canola, which is vital to industry in New South Wales, have also suffered from reduced bee availability. Varroa mite was so invasive that New South Wales abandoned its eradication efforts, shifting focus instead to management strategies, and the mite's presence now poses ongoing—”
“We fought alongside the Philippines for the liberation of that country during the Second World War, and both countries cherish democracy. However, I'm very concerned that allowing these imports potentially opens the door to diseases such as banana freckle, moco and black sigatoka. These types of diseases could decimate Australia's banana industry and wreak havoc across the broader agricultural sector. Think of all the jobs that are at stake: 15,000 in the banana industry. The whole industry is at stake here. It's worth $1.3 billion. As the member for Kennedy also eloquently pointed out, New South Wales has been dealing with the devastating impact of varroa mite, as has Queensland. That outbreak led to extensive biosecurity measures, severely affecting the state's beekeeping industry.”
“I second this motion and commend the member for Kennedy for bringing it forward. He really is a fighter for the people of Kennedy whom he represents. He's a fighter for Queensland, and he's a fighter for Australia. As the member for Kennedy has already explained to this House, Australia has worked hard to remain free from many diseases that are the scourge of other food-producing countries. We simply can't afford to risk Australia's agricultural industries. The value of agricultural production in this country is about $90 billion each year. In my part of the world, the Central West of New South Wales, we view it as the food basket of the nation, and we know how important protecting Australia's biosecurity is. Our country has a wonderful friendship with the Philippines.”
“From line markings on roads to children's health, better radiotherapy for our region, a 24-hour rescue helicopter and the Charles Sturt University medical school, the CWA has fiercely fought for country communities. I've been involved in politics for a decade and a half, and I can tell you that one of the ironclad rules of country politics is that you don't mess with the CWA. If you're a government and the CWA is making a request of you, my advice is to answer that call, because the CWA doesn't give up and it doesn't take a backward step. As advocates for country communities, the CWA and its members are unsurpassed. We acknowledge and thank all members of the CWA for the wonderful work they do.”
“It might sound like a small thing, but, for a community hall that's hosted countless gatherings, meetings and fundraisers, these upgrades are vital. Our CWA branches and our country halls bring people together. The opening coincided with the branch's annual soup day fundraiser, which was made complete by Dawn's famous apple slice. I'd also like to recognise the members of the Borenore CWA: Lyn Atkins, Ros Brander, Dawn Davis, Maggie de Rooy, Ann Druhan, Petah Duffy, Alice Hazelton, Kate Hazelton, Marie Henry, Bev Holland, Michelle Holland, Cathy Johns, Christine Lawford, Susan Low, Sue Parish, life member Merle Parrish, SallyAnn Priest, Kerrie Stent and Krystiina Tighe. The CWA is always there to advocate for country people.”
“I attended its centenary last year, and I spent a lot of time with its members during the Black Summer bushfires that devastated the area. Whether it's supporting firies or families during tough times, the CWA is always there when we need them. I also wish to recognise the wonderful Ilford-Running Stream branch members: Diane Groves, Kim Heckenberg, Louise Press, Daryl Clapham, Nancy Strauss, Fay Moore, Lynne Robb, Emma Gogolewski, Kate Gogolewski, Kay Heckenberg, Toni Dennington, Tracey Pleffer, Cheryl Farrugia, Vicki Vasallo, Alice Dryburgh and Jenny Nott. The Borenore CWA recently celebrated the opening of their brand-new amenities block at the Borenore Memorial Hall. I had the honour of helping to cut the ribbon at the event.”
“The Grattai branch is also an extraordinarily vibrant branch, and I always enjoy spending time with its members. The branch has a long, proud tradition of supporting country communities. I'd like to recognise and thank its members: President Leianne Milsom, Treasurer Debbie Jordan, Secretary Lyn Hicks, Marian Cowell, Elizabeth Croake, Janet de Rooy, Diana Devereux, Carol Garment, Barbara Gow, Margaret Griffiths, Margaret Hawkins, Margaret Hoffman, Kaye Holding, Leanne McKenzie, Sharon Meader, Anne Murphy, Mandy Nixon, Wendy Norris, Alison Primmer, Jessica Salter, Audrey Taylor, Lorna Shapland, Anne Shearman, Fay Wells, Ellen Wilson, Nicole Wilson and Diane Winter. The Grattai branch of the CWA epitomises that kind of neighbourly spirit that defines country Australia, as does the Ilford-Running Stream branch of the CWA.”
“That's an extraordinary milestone for any organisation but especially for a volunteer group that's dealt with everything from droughts and floods to bushfires and plagues. I'd like to recognise and thank its members: Robin Johnston, Margaret Baxter, Roslyn Jeffrey, Margaret Jose, Margaret Skropeta, Jenny Gregory, Lisa Norris, Carolyn Norris, Helen Marsonet, Debbie Johnston, Leigh-Anne Thorne, Tracy Evans and Rachel Mann. The Rylstone branch continues to serve its community with the same determination that inspired its founding members all those years ago. One of its signature projects was the establishment of a baby health clinic, a lifeline for new mums at a time when medical services were scarce. At the celebration, I also had the chance to catch up with members of the Grattai CWA branch.”
“Today I wish to pay tribute to the Country Women's Association and the incredible women who make it such a vital, impactful and indispensable organisation across the Central West, my state of New South Wales and our nation. For more than a century, the CWA has stood strong, supporting country women and their families and advocating for country communities. It's a mighty organisation, and it gets things done. Its members don't seek recognition. They don't wait to be asked. They just roll up their sleeves and get on with it. Over the years, I've had the privilege of spending time with many branches right across the Central West, and I've seen firsthand the difference they make. Last weekend, I was honoured to attend the 100th birthday of the Rylstone branch of the CWA.”
“I congratulate the Green Timber Tech team on driving this important new manufacturing enterprise in our area, including CEO Pete Morrison, Fale Tapara, Marcus Kraefft, Matt Senyard, Werner Wiedemann and Charmaine George. Innovation like this not only tackles the housing crisis. It also supports new manufacturing and local jobs and keeps our region at the forefront of construction technology. Congratulations, Green Timber Tech.”
“The Electrolux factory in Orange was the last fridge-making facility in Australia. When it closed in 2016, it was a devastating blow, but I'm pleased to inform the House that manufacturing has once again returned to the Electrolux site. Last week, I toured the new Green Timber Tech plant, which has been established in the old Electrolux factory to manufacture prefabricated transportable homes. With a focus on sustainability, the walls, floors and roofs are made at the plant, ready to assemble on site. The windows for the homes are also made in Orange at Taberners Windows & Doors. Once fully operational, the plant will be able to make a new home every four hours and will employ about 70 people. I was very impressed with GTT's demonstration of precision, high-tech, sustainable manufacturing.”
“I also wish to acknowledge the seven members who received a VRA Rescue New South Wales Commissioner's Unit Citation Award in September of this year for their exceptional efforts during a catastrophic and tragic accident on the Great Western Highway in 2023. Those members are Ian Bennet, Nathan Mas-Stephens, Paul Bennet, Ben Johnson, Stephen Phillips, Kevin O'Connor and former member Alison Forbes. On behalf of our communities and this parliament, I sincerely thank the entire Lithgow VRA team for their unwavering dedication in supporting their communities in critical incidents. I would encourage all community members to join their local volunteer rescue association and be a force for good in saving and protecting lives and making a positive impact in our world.”
“Today, I would like to acknowledge and thank their dedicated volunteers for the incredible service they provide to our community: Ian Bennet, who started volunteering with Lithgow VRA in 1981 and served as captain for 25 years; Nathan Mas-Stephens, who was recently announced as the new Lithgow VRA captain; Paul Bennet, who recently received the long-service clasp for 25 years service; Sallyann Bennet, who recently received her long-service clasp for 20 years service; Jean Bennet, who recently stepped down as secretary after 16 years, and also Andred Wilson, Aaron Wilson, Patrick Gennari, Angus McIntyre, Lesley Langbein, Emma Mason, Madeline Eneberg, Scott Moores, Rhianna Garland, Luke Chiam, Beth Thompson, Shannon Johnson, Glen Johnson, Stephen Phillips, Al Warild, Briane McCarthy, Brooke Noland, Chris Joyce, Emily Strange, Kevin O'Connor, Zachary Mason, Sally Romanous, Chris Perry and Alison Fenton.”
“Every year, they engage in thousands of hours of volunteer work, spending anywhere from four hours to, in some instances, up to two days responding to incidents. They play a crucial role in community safety and support.”
“Today, I pay tribute to the extraordinary service of the community heroes of the Lithgow Volunteer Rescue Association. The association, also known as the Lithgow and District Rescue Squad, is a volunteer based emergency service in our electorate of Calare. It's members have been serving the Lithgow district and surrounding areas since 1981 as primary responders. It's a vital part of the community's emergency response network, operating 24/7 to respond at a moment's notice, ready to lend a 'helping hand anywhere, anytime'. That's their motto. The squad handles a wide range of land based incidents, including car accidents, bush searches and animal rescues. In the last financial year, they responded to 78 accidents, rescued or assisted 75 people and recovered seven people who'd sadly lost their lives.”
“I commend them to the House, and I implore all members of this place to get behind the amendments and back our small businesses—the engine room of the Australian economy.”
“Some businesses have missed the opportunity to take advantage of it. So it should be made permanent. By making it permanent, it allows businesses to plan their investment decisions. It would allow them to steer by the stars instead of navigating by the lights of each passing ship, and that certainty is a very important thing for small businesses right around the country. So I'm very supportive of that measure in the amendments. I'm also very supportive of actually extending the instant asset write-off and increasing it to $50,000. This will allow more businesses the flexibility to make larger investment decisions and receive the tax benefits that the instant asset write-off brings. It will drive more growth and more investment and will actually help our businesses thrive. I'm very supportive of the amendments.”
“The instant asset write-off is a very important measure to support our small-business people. It enables our businesses to make key investments to keep their businesses thriving, which has been very difficult lately, but it could be made better. This is what the member for Warringah has put to this House. She wants to improve this key piece of legislation and this key measure for small business. At the moment, as members such as the member for Wentworth have eloquently pointed out to this House, the instant asset write-off has been a year-to-year proposition. Businesses have not had certainty that the instant asset write-off will be there from one year to the next. Because of delays in the implementation and the passing of legislation relating to the instant asset write-off, it has meant that some businesses just haven't been aware of it.”
“I rise to support the amendments proposed by the member for Warringah, and I commend her for bringing these very important changes and amendments to the House. It is no secret that small businesses have been doing it very tough right around Australia but particularly in country Australia. There are high interest rates, high energy costs, inflation and too much red tape. There is red tape seemingly at every level of government. There's the stress that our small-business people experience of having to borrow money and lie awake at night hoping that they will be paid so they, in turn, can pay someone else. It is not easy being in small business, yet our small-business people are key to driving jobs, prosperity and growth in the regions and right around the country.”