Northern Rivers Echo Column: April 6, 2017

Brigadier Chris Field AM, who grew up in Lismore, is coordinating the defence force effort in helping the areas in Queensland effected by Cyclone Denise. He went to Kadina High School, with Karen, where he was school captain. I acknowledged him in Parliament yesterday.   XXXX   Paige Humphreys celebrated her birthday a couple of…

Details

Richmond River Express Column: April 2017

It was great to catch up with Year 6 students from St Mary’s Public School while they were visiting Parliament last week.  They asked some great questions. Hope you all enjoyed the trip.   XXXX   I was excited to announce that Headspace will soon be offering services in Casino and the Richmond Valley recently.…

Details

Northern Rivers Echo Column: March 30, 2017

It was great to attend the graduation of students from Southern Cross University last weekend. The University is a very important institution in our community. It employs many people and is a great resource for local students. I congratulate all the students who graduated, Vice Chancellor Adam Schumacher and all the staff.   XXXX  …

Details

Northern Rivers Echo Column: March 23, 2017

It was great to announce funding of more than $115,000 to Namatjira Haven to expand its existing services and offer new mental health services. In partnership with Rekindling the Spirit, the funding will be used to train local staff in Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid, as well as provide more beds at Namatjira’s Drug and…

Details

Northern Rivers Echo Column: March 16, 2017

I’m in Nimbin today catching up with members of the community, after I recently met up with Luke Summ, Caroline Todd, Sam Bernard, Michael Balderstone, Elsbeth Jones and Simonetta Z while they were in Canberra recently. We had a good talk about the importance of the medicinal use of cannabis. I have heard numerous stories…

Details

Richmond River Express Column: March 2017

Legislation was introduced into Parliament recently to crackdown on multinational tax avoidance. This comes into effect on July 1, with about $2 billion in tax expected to be clawed back this financial year. These will be the toughest laws against multinational tax avoidance in the world.   XXX   Country of Origin labelling legislation was…

Details

Northern Rivers Echo Column: March 9, 2017

Last week I announced a Headspace in Grafton and the Clarence Valley. Today I am announcing a further $1.4 million for Headspace in Lismore to expand youth mental health services in Casino and Kyogle. I am also announcing the transition of management for Headspace in Lismore to Social Futures – one of our regions’ most…

Details

Clarence Valley Independent Column – March 8, 2017

  It was fantastic to announce a Headspace for Grafton and the Clarence Valley last week. Not only are we getting a Headspace, we are also getting more psychiatric services, a Healthy Clarence Suicide Prevention Plan, as well as a package of additional mental health services and family support services. Importantly, this is only the…

Details

Northern Rivers Echo Column: February 23, 2017

Financial incentives of up to $10,000 are now available to encourage businesses to employ new staff. This will help our local economy and create more jobs. There is no higher priority for our community and for the Government than creating jobs. That means not only growing our economy, but also helping people become job ready.…

Details

I attended the Richmond Valley Australia Day celebrations at Woodburn. It was a great day. It was wonderful to see all the award nominees and recipients from our Australia Day Awards. Congratulations to Richmond Valley Council awardees: Brian O’Farrell (Citizen of the Year), Aideen Yourell (Young Citizen of the Year), Bill Bartier (Volunteer of the Year),…

Details