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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“My question is to the health minister. The rural doctor shortage crisis is a disgrace and a shameful indictment. The Charles Sturt University School of Rural Medicine in the central west of New South Wales is training doctors in the bush for practice in the bush but for half a decade has been restricted by the government to only 37 Commonwealth supported student places each year. This isn't good enough. When will your government deliver more medical student places to Charles Sturt University so it can train more country doctors that are so desperately needed?”
“You can put a lot of the blame at the feet of the telcos, but the government also has a very important role to play and, when programs are not effective enough, they need to be overhauled so that they serve the interests of our country communities. We demand nothing less. Debate adjourned.”
“They forget that there are people out in the bush who are making extraordinary contributions to the wealth and prosperity of this country that are being overlooked for mobile connectivity. It's not fair, it's not right and it must be brought to a close. The way the government could do it would be to make the Mobile Black Spot Program a lot more effective. I urge the government to have a really good, hard look at the program so that it better serves the needs of country Australia and the communities of central western NSW. I know I speak for everyone in our part of the world, where we demand proper access to mobile phone service and mobile connectivity. We're not getting that at the moment.”
“I urge the minister to have a look at the way the Mobile Black Spot Program funding is being rolled out. It needs to be made a lot more effective. Right around the Calare electorate, we have black spot after black spot everywhere you go, from places like the Castlereagh Highway between Lithgow and Mudgee to the Mitchell Highway heading into western NSW. From our larger communities to our smaller ones, mobile black spots abound. Mobile connectivity is an essential service. We need it for business, for tourism, for emergencies and to keep our communities connected. Government has a really important role to play here, and our communities should not be forgotten. This is a fundamental issue of fairness and equality between city and country. City people take these services for granted.”
“It is very, very frustrating for Mayor Andrew McKibbin and the team at Oberon Council, and it's very frustrating for me, because this saga has dragged on for far too long. But it highlights the problems that we are having with this program and with getting telcos to commit not only to honouring their commitments but to continuing to deliver for country communities. Another good example is Shooters Hill, not too far from Black Springs, where the community has been fighting for mobile coverage for a long, long time. So I say to Telstra: you've really got to have a look at the way you're operating in these communities, because you're not winning any friends out there. A lot of us have misgivings about the way Black Springs has been handled. It does Telstra no credit.”
“We've had many, many conversations with the local community members and successive mayors of the local council out at Oberon, and I have to say we have been deeply unimpressed with the way that Telstra has handled this. Telstra really needs to have a good look at the way that they are operating their community relations, because in the way this has come about there has been delay after delay. Every time a solution is brought to Telstra to address the reason that they say this tower can't be put there, another excuse is found. Now Oberon Council have come up with another location, which is opposite the location where Telstra originally wanted to set up the tower, and, again, Telstra are delaying actually getting a small-cell tower for the people of Black Springs.”
“I think it's fair to say that the telcos have picked all of the low-hanging fruit from this program—that is, they put in bids for the locations from which they can make the most money. But all of those locations have now been taken, and their interest in this program is clearly waning. We're not getting the results from it. There's a good example of this issue we've been having for a number of years at the village of Black Springs, which is not too far from Oberon. Telstra put in a bid a number of years ago for a small-cell tower to be placed at Black Springs, but, since then, it seems to me and the community that Telstra has been doing its level best to back out of actually delivering a small-cell tower at that site.”
“they want to ring me back all the time and when we dont answer they cancel the whole complaint process. Well if we havent got reception how can we answer. This is very frustrating … and means we have to go by car to another location to simply make a phone call. How can we make some progress on improving this situation? That's from David Rickards. Clint Anderson writes about issues of connectivity and mobile reception around Lower Lewis Ponds and in the Banjo Paterson Way area. Chris from Rylstone—around Narrango Road in Rylstone—has complained to Telstra about poor reception since the 3G shutdown and, unfortunately, did not get the answers that he was looking for and that we were all looking for from Telstra. That's why I believe that the Mobile Black Spot Program really does need an overhaul.”
“Then we have people like Julian, who's written in about the poor mobile coverage between Oberon and Bathurst. There are 'several blackspots on Telstra 4G', he writes, and he also points to areas like Wisemans Creek, Carlwood Road towards O'Connell and the area around the railway track in Rydal—and Rydal station itself. The coverage is not what it should be. Dave from Arkell, in our area, has written in, and he says there's been a problem with phone reception since 3G was turned off. He said: we used to have quite good reception until last October. Now reception is getting much worse even with a booster in the house. Essentially no reception most of the time or call last for maybe one minute. I have contacted Telstra many times and got the big run around.”
“Here are just a few examples of some of the constituents who've written in to me to raise issues about poor coverage. Geoff has written in about poor mobile coverage at Mookerawa, not far from Stuart Town. Ross has written in about poor mobile phone coverage at Marrangaroo, which is near Lithgow. Ines raises coverage issues at Frog Rock and is very upset about what's happening there. It's poor coverage; it's not where it should be. Ralph has written in about the lack of mobile coverage around Oberon. It is a serious problem around Oberon, especially around the Shooters Hill area and around Black Springs. I'm going to return to Black Springs in a moment. Judie out at Spicers Creek has issues with mobile connectivity out there. Ralph from Lyndhurst—again, there are serious issues of poor mobile service and reception around there.”
“I support the Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2025 because I believe it can make a positive contribution towards holding telecommunications companies to account, and I think that aspect of it is supported. But I come from country Australia, and, in the Central West of New South Wales, mobile phone coverage is not what it should be. It is a serious problem for many of our local communities. I get many, many pieces of correspondence, phone calls and emails, from our local constituents, who are very concerned about the state of mobile coverage, and my concern is that the Mobile Black Spot Program, which the Australian government has operated for a long time, is no longer fit for purpose, because it's not clearing up all of these black spots. I'll return to that in a moment.”
“There are still about 121,000 people being assessed and 109,000 people waiting for packages. So this issue has not gone away. We, as a nation, must do much better to support our seniors and those in need. I commend everyone involved on the push for the release of these packages—in particular, my crossbench colleagues and Senator Pocock, who have been right in there from the very beginning on this, pushing for these important changes and for this vital support to be released. Question agreed to.”
“I also rise to support the release of these 20,000 home-care packages. I believe it is an important step forward for the parliament and also for the nation. Most people in our communities know how important home care is to our seniors and the difference that it makes to people's lives. I think everyone was shocked that these packages were being withheld. The feedback from the Calare electorate, in the central west of New South Wales, is that the packages need to be released on the double and that we need to get help to our seniors to help with their amenity of life and the support that they need. I commend my crossbench colleagues, in particular, for leading the charge on this. The crossbench has been very vocal on this. It's an issue that is close to the hearts of many Australians.”
“It's vitally important that the sacrifice of those who served our nation in uniform, and the sacrifice of their families, is never forgotten. Lest we forget.”
“She spent 18 months compiling the information into this book with the help of her son, Matthew Curtis, and the support of the Bathurst RSL sub-branch. The preservation of these letters is not only significant to Maree's family but also contributes to the broader understanding of the human cost of war both for those in captivity and for their loved ones. I wish to acknowledge and congratulate Maree and Matthew Curtis on this significant and important achievement. I also acknowledge and thank members of the Bathurst RSL sub-branch for their assistance—in particular, John Sutton and his son Owen Sutton. The Australian War Memorial has recognised the significance of the correspondence by accepting it into its official archives.”
“During World War II, over 30,000 Australians became prisoners of war, with the Japanese capturing over 22,000. One of those taken prisoner by the Japanese was Private John Wilfrid Franklin, who was held in Changi, Singapore and, later, Japan. His family sent him numerous letters, not knowing if he was alive, and it took more than two years for most of them to finally be delivered to him. Those letters were held closely by Private Franklin and have survived to this day. Now, eighty years on, his 91-year-old niece, Rae-Maree Curtis from Bathurst, has launched a book titled Letters from Home . Maree has carefully preserved the letters, telegrams, photographs, documents and memorabilia from her uncle's time as a prisoner of war.”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. The 2022 Central West New South Wales floods saw extraordinary acts of courage and service across our communities. Eugowra was the scene of the biggest helicopter rescue in Australia's history. Despite this, the National Emergency Medal is still not available to emergency responders, volunteers and community workers, who performed with such distinction in that crisis. Yet those serving in disasters that have hit other parts of Australia are eligible. When will our community heroes get the recognition they deserve?”
“At the end of September, the Cudal-Cargo and District Lions Club will be celebrating its 40th anniversary. The motto of Lions International is We Serve, and the kind-hearted members of Cudal-Cargo Lions certainly personify this. In a turbulent world, their kindness and compassion shine through. I congratulate this marvellous club on its 40th birthday and the unwavering commitment of its members to our communities. As a Lions Club member myself, I can tell you it's great to be a Lion. Well done, Cudal-Cargo Lions. We appreciate everything you do.”
“I would like to thank and acknowledge the outstanding team at Cudal-Cargo Lions, including the president, Brent Twaddle; the vice-president, Brigitte Eden—Brigitte was just presented with the Lion of the year award at the recent changeover—the treasurer, Greg Lynch; the secretary, Lyn Frecklington; the public officer, Janet Price; the safety officer and current member, Kristy Dolbel; former district governor and communication and publicity coordinator Ron Parry; the catering coordinator and current member, Helen Coleman; former zone chair and current member Barbara Parry; former president and current member Sue Parish; founding and current members Graham Eslick and Dave Farrell; and members Jim Brien, Margaret Brien, Carroll Smith, Jane Miller, Kathy Wicks and Russell Wicks.”
“Over the last year alone, the club has raised over $45,000, supporting a range of impactful programs and projects including the Central West Tractor Trek in support of Little Wings, the Cudal and Cargo public schools, hearing dogs, the Cudal Show, the flood appeal, prostate cancer support, assisting people with a disability to purchase support equipment, providing four young adults with $2,000 each to support their first year of university or TAFE, and nominating local women for the New South Wales rural women of the year awards. The club caters for thousands of people at the Australian National Field Days and also the caravan and camping show as part of their fundraising activities. Recently, club members were assisting with eye screening at Grenfell Public School.”
“Today in this House I acknowledge the Cudal-Cargo and District Lions Club. For close to 40 years the Cudal-Cargo Lions have been serving our local communities and our country. Cudal and Cargo are smaller communities of the Calare electorate, and they are thriving and vibrant. This mighty club makes a real difference to the lives of residents in the Cudal-Cargo area. Lions clubs all over Australia assist with local community fundraising for important causes. In addition to community service, Lions Australia has a history of providing natural disaster and emergency relief as well supporting medical research. The Cudal-Cargo Lions club is no exception.”
“They have an amazing team of volunteers carrying out their vision, supporting anyone within the community needing assistance in either one-on-one or group settings. I know I join all in this House in acknowledging the hardworking team and volunteers at Nanna's Touch Community Connections Lithgow, including president and founder Susan Murdoch, vice-president and volunteer Geoff Bretherton, secretary and volunteer Michele DeSilva, chef extraordinaire and volunteer Olga Rooney, volunteer Sue Pillans and also regular volunteers Fran, Monique, Jenny and Rose. Nanna's Touch Community Connections Lithgow brings people together. It does wonderful work for those in need, and we sincerely thank all its volunteers and team members for making our region and country a better place.”
“Today I pay tribute to Nanna's Touch Community Connections Lithgow, which is a whole-of-community network for anyone in the Lithgow area needing a helping hand or social connection. Since its foundation in 2013, it has become a compassionate support hub of kindness and hope. It aims to promote social inclusion, to improve mental health and wellbeing and to minimise loneliness, isolation and food insecurity. Together, the team at Nanna's Touch organise food hampers; run a community kitchen and garden; host weekly social connection meetings and disability support conversations; host a sewing and craft group, plus an art group; and also put together Christmas hampers. They arrange monthly walk-and-talks and are often the first point of call for people seeking guidance in accessing support services.”
“The Job-ready Graduates Package is a failure. It's a dud, and it needs to be overhauled. This bill is a step in the right direction towards greater fairness for uni students, and I'm very pleased to support it.”
“Importantly, these courses and subjects lay the foundation for careers in a wide variety of fields that benefit our communities and our country. So it's critical that we ensure that students can undertake these subjects and study them without being burdened with huge university debts. It's the last thing these students need, especially in a cost-of-living crisis. Now, I certainly don't begrudge students studying STEM courses receiving lower course fees, and neither does the member for Fowler. I do, however, like the member for Fowler, question the effectiveness of the Job-ready Graduates Package. The evidence is that only a very small percentage of students changed their course selections as a result of the scheme being introduced, and it has also resulted in an inequitable and unfair student loans scheme.”
“I second the motion, Deputy Speaker, and I'm very pleased to do so and support this very important bill. I commend the member for Fowler for bringing it to this House. She certainly is a fighter for her electorate. She knows the importance of education to her constituents and she wants a better deal for them and also for students everywhere, all around this great nation of ours. This bill is being introduced as it's critical that we give students who choose to study society, culture, humanities and arts a fair go. Last year when I rose to support this bill, I said that society, culture and arts subjects at our universities aren't just mere subjects to tack on to a degree; they're a critical source of learning which equips students to gain a greater depth of understanding about the communities and world in which we live.”
“My question is to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide highlighted the tragic human cost of our country failing to properly care for our ADF personnel, veterans and their families. Veterans' and families' wellbeing hubs are a step in setting things right. We have thousands of veterans in the Calare electorate, but there are no hubs in the Central West of New South Wales. The Bathurst and Orange RSL sub-branches want to establish a hub in Bathurst and Orange, with outreach hubs in smaller communities. Will you meet with our local veterans and consider this proposal?”
“I once again urge the government and the Governor-General to extend eligibility for the National Emergency Medal to those who served the Central West with such distinction during the devastating floods of 2022. Our community members deserve nothing less.”
“In July last year, I met with the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to request that he raise this with the National Emergency Medal Committee. He undertook to do so. During question time last year, I asked the Prime Minister whether the medal would be extended to those who served during the Central West floods. I was told by the then minister for home affairs that the government would liaise with the National Emergency Medal Committee and come back to me with a response. The Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister later confirmed that the medal committee had been contacted. However, to date, no further information has been forthcoming.”
“Last year, it was announced that emergency responders, volunteers and community workers involved in the February and March 2022 floods in northern New South Wales and Queensland were rightly eligible for the National Emergency Medal. However, despite the extraordinary acts of courage and service from our responders and volunteers during the central western New South Wales floods of November 2022, these Australian heroes are still not eligible for this honour and recognition. Eugowra was the scene of the biggest helicopter rescue in Australia's history. Last year, I wrote to the Governor-General and the Prime Minister requesting that the medal be made available to those who served during that traumatic and tragic time for our region.”
“It had been left dormant for years but was transformed to 17 specialist disability accommodation apartments to provide affordable and appropriate housing to those most in need. The results have been impressive and stunning. Another example of an enterprise that offers solutions to ease the crisis is Green Timber Technology in Orange. It is a new prefabricated housing venture that will utilise local timber, advanced robotics and off-site construction methods to deliver architecturally designed affordable homes at scale, with the capacity to produce one every four hours, once fully operational. It's an example of regional Australia leading the way. I once again commend the member for Bradfield for bringing this important issue to the House this afternoon.”
“While the recent update to the Housing Australia investment mandate includes language on equitable funding, it still lacks clarity and enforceable regional targets. It's sad to say it, but, on its track record so far, the Housing Australia Future Fund is in danger of being renamed and known as the 'Housing Australia Future Fund for City People'. Without a dedicated and measurable commitment to regional, rural and remote communities, areas like Calare will continue to miss out, and the crisis will worsen. If we're serious about tackling the housing crisis, we must look to innovation and industry for real and effective solutions. Regional Australia, including Calare, is leading the way. In March this year, I had the privilege of attending the opening of the newly transformed Lithgow TAFE building.”
“The social housing waitlist continues to grow in regional New South Wales, with 25,897 vulnerable households of the total 65,758, or 39 per cent, across New South Wales seeking housing. Despite these clear indicators, the Western New South Wales District for Housing and Homelessness group states that regional NSW has been overlooked in critical national housing funding. In the first funding round of the Housing Australia Future Fund, only eight per cent of homes for New South Wales—that's 257 out of 3,265—were allocated to regional New South Wales. In the second round, just one regional project was included. To be clear, the Housing Australia Future Fund is currently failing country New South Wales.”
“Rates of homelessness, particularly amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, are significantly higher in regional areas, with western New South Wales recording the highest rates in the state. Across our electorate, locations such as Orange, Bathurst, Lithgow and the midwestern area report youth homelessness rates above the state average. The Central West also continues to experience elevated rates of domestic violence related assaults, further compounding the crisis. The Homes New South Wales 2024 Street Count revealed a 25.5 per cent increase from the previous year in the number of people sleeping rough across New South Wales, with regional areas experiencing the most significant surge.”
“On behalf of the Western New South Wales District for Housing and Homelessness group, he contacted me recently to outline the extent of the crisis. He points out that 38 per cent of the state's population is now living in regional New South Wales and that internal migration to the regions is continuing to rise. Rents in regional New South Wales have increased by 70 per cent over the past decade, far outpacing Sydney's 48.5 per cent rise, while rental vacancy rates have fallen to just 1.2 per cent. Rental stress now affects over 38 per cent of households in the regions, which is above the state average. Mr Cantelo also points out that social housing waitlists continue to grow, with nearly 26,000 vulnerable households across regional New South Wales seeking secure housing.”
“GEE () (): I commend the member for Bradfield for bringing this matter of public importance to this House today, and I congratulate her on her election to our parliament. It's no surprise to anyone that Australia is in the grip of a housing crisis. Every day Australians are suffering from housing stress, be it through mortgage repayments, rental affordability, or risk or experience of homelessness. While successive governments have introduced initiatives to try to ease this crisis, it's clear that much more work and many more initiatives are needed, especially when it comes to providing housing to our most vulnerable. The housing crisis in regional New South Wales, including across our electorate of Calare, is worsening and demands urgent solutions. The chief executive officer of community housing provider Housing Plus is Justin Cantelo.”
“Having said that, I believe that this bill does make an important contribution to child safety and should be supported by all members. So, for those reasons, I commend the bill to the House.”
“As a sidenote to my comments, I note that votes have already taken place on the last two pieces of legislation I have spoken on; my speeches have occurred after the votes. I know the government has a very strong majority in this House, but we need to be respecting the processes of the parliament. That means that we should be having debates where all members get an opportunity to have their say, and then we vote. That is what the public expect. They don't want to see votes taking place and then members merely making statements after the fact. I think it is important to note that there is a community expectation that those processes be adhered to and respected in accordance with the traditions of this parliament.”
“I wish to make a brief contribution to the debate regarding this issue. I wish it to be known that I support this bill, the Early Childhood Education and Care (Strengthening Regulation of Early Education) Bill 2025. The alleged crimes that have been committed against vulnerable children, as well as the ongoing investigations, have shocked communities around our country. The perpetrators of these horrific crimes must be brought to justice. I'm supporting this bill because it strengthens the Commonwealth's regulatory and enforcement powers to impose safety and quality outcomes in early education. I think it's important that we support any measure that can improve child safety. We must be doing it in this House, so I commend the bill to the House.”
“It is a crisis, it is having a debilitating effect and it will have a debilitating effect on educational outcomes in regional Australia and it will have a debilitating effect on the future workforce of regional Australia. I think it's a very positive thing that this bill delivers important relief to our students and also our graduates. It will mean a debt reduction for three million Australians. That is a significant and an important initiative. I commend the bill to the House but, in doing so, urge the government to support our regional universities and listen to their cries for help which are occurring right across country Australia.”
“Investment in our regional universities is an investment in the future of regional Australia, because we can't just have the metropolitan sandstone universities educating our young people. We need universities like Charles Sturt University building the future of country Australia and building the future workforce of our regions. Universities in the regions, like Charles Sturt University, exist to deliver regional solutions. The teachers, the nurses, the doctors, the vets and the social workers of country Australia are what is at stake here. The simple truth is, for higher education in Australia, international student revenue pays for domestic students and supports our country universities. I would urge the government to have a very close look at what is happening to university funding in regional Australia.”
“They don't believe that the current one-size-fits-all model accounts for the higher cost of delivering education to students who need more support to succeed at university. So they want a better and improved needs based funding model—the regional education loading that properly reflects the cost of delivering comprehensive course offerings in thin markets across dispersed regional campuses that have significant essential teaching and research infrastructure to maintain. This is what our universities are asking from the government. They want that loading which properly reflects the cost of delivering vitally important education to regional students. Our regional universities believe that these requirements are not just a matter of fairness; they are a matter of our national interest.”
“Charles Sturt University runs its physiotherapy, medicine, dentistry and vet science courses at a financial loss, largely due to the current funding models, which severely disadvantage regional universities. These losses simply can't be sustained indefinitely. To support our regional universities and find solutions to regional funding disparities, our regional universities like Charles Sturt University are seeking reforms. These include an easing of visa restrictions and fees and de facto caps and a cessation of the negative messaging that is deterring international student applications for study in Australia, allowing a return to sustainable international student numbers. Our regional universities are also seeking a needs based funding model for domestic students.”
“The bill's fairer repayment system measure involves increasing the minimum repayment threshold for compulsory student loan repayments from $54,435 in 2024-25 to $67,000 in 2025-26 and introducing a marginal repayment system for compulsory student loan repayments, calculated on income above the new threshold. So, this bill is an important one, as I have stated, and it delivers badly needed relief for students and graduates. But our universities also need support from this government. The university in our electorate of Calare is Charles Sturt University. I have to point out to the House that international student numbers at Charles Sturt University have dropped by 90 per cent since 2019, and it's hit the university hard. It's now burning through its reserves; staff are being laid off.”
“And while I am pretty certain that she voted Independent at the recent election, I did see her on Prime News welcoming the announcement, as many of her fellow students did. As history shows, the policy did not have bipartisan support when it was announced. It is no longer opposed by the coalition, and I believe that is a good thing. I hope the passage of this bill ushers in a new era of policymaking for young Australians—who are, after all, the future of our nation. Among the features of this bill, it touches upon the Higher Education Loan Program, as well as Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans and Vocational Education and Training Loans. It will basically provide a one-off 20 per cent reduction in student loan debts incurred on or before 1 June 2025.”
“I will be supporting the Universities Accord (Cutting Student Debt by 20 Per Cent) Bill 2025. I believe it's a very important one, particularly for the many young people of our region who are undertaking tertiary studies. As at 30 June 2024 there were 14,366 people in Calare who had an average HELP debt of $23,349. It's no secret that many of our young Australians are feeling under financial pressure, saddled with more tertiary education debt than previous generations had to contend with, struggling to get a foothold into the housing market. Many young Australians have given up on the great Australian dream of home ownership. This bill is a significant way to deliver them relief. I have a daughter who's currently studying at university.”
“Wattle Tree House Bathurst employs over 20 people, and I thank and commend each of them for their work, including CEO Annette Steele, Adam Hotham, Amanda McDowell, Darren Furniss, Kaylee Eaton, Madison Hatch, Raylee Patterson, Ronny Leonard, Sandra Callan, Sharon Ford, Terry Tupper, Timothy Ah See, Chris Krupa, Shellie Marino, Summer Weekes, Jade Cameron, Jo Bergin, Cara Curtis, Yasmin Wilson, Sandra Peckham, Tyla Turner and Leeny Kemp. Wattle Tree House is making a real difference to the lives of the residents of Bathurst and our region. I sincerely thank the Wattle Tree House team for their invaluable work supporting vulnerable members of our communities. It's very much appreciated. I also extend the thanks of my colleagues in this House and acknowledge the important work the team at Wattle Tree House do.”
“I rise to acknowledge the extraordinary work being undertaken by the team at Wattle Tree House, in Bathurst, which supports those in our communities who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Wattle Tree House delivers a range of services, including swags, food parcels, skills workshops, and domestic and family violence programs. It also works with the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council, to arrange housing for their clients, and operates the Bathurst women's and children's refuge. I recently had the honour of visiting Wattle Tree House to see firsthand its vitally important programs and initiatives.”
“My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. The rural doctor shortage crisis is devastating for Calare residents. Country people have shorter life expectancies than city people. It's outrageous. The Charles Sturt University's School of Rural Medicine opened five years ago to train doctors in the bush for practice in the bush with 37 Commonwealth supported students. It hasn't been given any more student places since. When will your government take effective action to (a) fix the rural doctor shortage crisis, and (b) give Charles Sturt University more Commonwealth supported medical student places?”
“This is our history at stake and it would be a real tragedy if the museum closed for good and its collection was lost. Our community is of the firm belief that the Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum must be saved and reopened. It's as simple as that. I hope all outstanding issues can be resolved by all parties with good faith and goodwill. The communities wants a bright future for Thales and the manufacturing that occurs in Lithgow, as well as the museum. They both have a key role to play in our wonderful region.”