G’day folks,

Winter is here, the budget is almost upon us and tax time looms. Last week was a sitting week but this week I will be back out in the electorate, before returning for budget week next week, usually one of the busiest weeks of the parliamentary year. I will be paying close attention to what the treasurer has in store for Barwon.

Palliative Care in Broken Hill

I was fortunate enough while I was in Broken Hill in May to get a tour of the new Jacaranda House Palliative Care facility. It opened on May 24, during National Palliative Care Week. Unfortunately, I was unable to be there for the official opening, but I was given a tour a few days before by the Director, Melissa Cumming. 

Jacaranda House is situated in a beautiful heritage building opposite the hospital and has a dedicated team working to provide a high standard of care. 

She told me that when she arrived in Broken Hill 35 years ago there was no palliative care, but over that time with help from the Broken Hill community and ministry support, the team has grown. The palliative care centre now has such a great reputation that it makes health workers want to move to regional and remote areas.

Palliative care is such an important part of the health system. With so many areas in deficit for palliative care, with Jacaranda House the Far West Local Health District has set a standard that should be available everywhere.

Bourke Preschool

I was in Bourke in the last week of May where I attended a meeting of the Maranguka Early Childhood and Parenting Working Group. This group meets regularly to discuss everything relating to early childhood in Bourke. But this time one topic dominated the meeting: the potential creation of a new preschool in Bourke under the Education Department’s plans for 100 new preschools in regional areas. 

The problem is that Bourke already has the Bourke & District Children's Services (BDCS) - a Childcare Centre, Preschool, Mobile Play Service and Before and After School Care - that has brought the community together and provides so much more than a standard preschool could.

It is what the community wants to grow and there are plans for a major expansion, but the consultation for the 100 preschools seems to have missed that, by not consulting key stakeholders and also ignoring agreed consultation principles and methods.

The community is concerned that BDCS preschool could be impacted financially and in terms of staff and resources if another is established at Bourke Public School. The creation of a second school could reverse years of community harmony creating separate Aboriginal and non-indigenous schools. Any investment in Bourke, is welcomed but the community (and I) think it would be better placed in the existing service.

Sarah and Poppy from the department listened respectfully to the community’s concerns and have indicated a commitment to reflecting those concerns to the Minister and Deputy Premier, Prue Car MP. I have also spoken to Prue. I will continue to speak to her, and ensure we keep that consultation process going.

I also delivered a private members statement in Parliament last week, talking about the preschool plan and how it might impact the town. To see video of the statement, go to https://www.roybutler.com.au/video_clips

Youth Crime in Bourke

While I was in Bourke, I also caught up with Superintendent Gerard Lawson at Morrall's Bakery. Gerard is the Commander of the Central North Police District, which covers a huge area that takes in Collarenebri, Lightning Ridge, Walgett, Bourke, Brewarrina, and Wanaaring (have a look at a map).

We had a good chat about a range of things, but one of the prominent issues discussed was youth crime in Bourke. One of the potential solutions is diversionary programs for minor offences, as an alternative to custody or bail.

Even that is not a simple solution, there are a lot of conditions that need to be met to allow a program to be implemented and to work well, not least broad community agreement and support, good governance, and the ability for any program to deliver outcomes.

It was good to get Gerard’s perspective on issues in this part of the electorate.

Nyngan Council

While out on the road I had a meeting with the Mayor and Engineer of Bogan Shire Council. The council is having problems with what to do about a river crossing near Monkey Bridge Crossing. It was created decades ago, possibly by the council, but now NSW Fisheries wants it modified.

They also have a dangerous level railway crossing at Hoskins St that needs a safety upgrade, they are badly in need of more before and after school care, and need to fund replacement of lights on their airstrip. 

We have been working with the council on these issues and I will continue to talk to the relevant ministers about possible solutions.

Narrabri Pathology Services

A couple of weeks ago rumours started to pass around that Narrabri’s pathology lab was being closed and the services would be sent to Moree and that this was being planned without adequate consultation with either staff or the Narrabri community.

I was contacted by many concerned members of the community looking for answers and for action. In the absence of any information from Hunter New England (HNE) Local Health District, I elevated the matter to the office of Ryan Park, the Health Minister.

Last week I met with the Minister, senior staff of NSW Health and a representative from HNE LHD. I was assured that no decisions had been made on the model to be adopted and that they would pause the process of making any changes pending consultation with health staff and the community, which began last week.

I have made it clear that any reduction in services is something that neither I, nor the community, will tolerate. I will continue to advocate on behalf of the community and work with Minister Park to get the best outcome for Narrabri. I want to thank everyone in Narrabri who contacted me, without this kind of feedback from the public, and the information they provided, it would have been difficult to get action. Community consultation should always be the starting point for any changes that will affect that community, never an afterthought. 

Greyhound Racing in Coonamble

Every town needs its special events. In regional towns events like greyhound racing add more than just a bit of local colour to a community, they bring money and people to the town, benefiting local businesses. They are also important socially, as a place for people to meet and to mix with people who share their passion for the sport.

The week before last Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) announced that they were planning to close Coonamble's Greyhound Racing Club track as part of their Track Safety & Welfare Strategy 2024. 

After hearing the news, I contacted GRNSW and, after discussions with the CEO, he confirmed that they will hold the 2024 October Long Weekend Carnival, Coonamble’s biggest greyhound racing fixture of the year.

Rob Macaulay, CEO of GRNSW, has committed to meeting with the community and the club to discuss.

Secondary Student Leadership Program

Every year Parliament of NSW plays host to student leaders from schools around the state as part of the Secondary Student Leadership Program. Something I always look forward to is chatting with students from schools in my electorate when they come to learn about our democracy and how it works. They ask great questions and have a strong understanding of key issues in their communities.

I met with young leaders from Dunedoo Central School Nyngan High School Coonamble High School Warren Central School Gilgandra High School Condobolin High School.

Cost of Living Notice of Motion

While we all know that the cost-of-living crisis has affected the entire state, it is obvious that it has had a much bigger effect on people in regional areas than those who live in the big cities. In the bush we pay more for petrol and also have to use more of it because of the distances we have to travel and without as many public transport options as they have in urban areas.

The distances also add to the cost of groceries, services, hiring tradespeople, seeking medical treatment and a range of other things. 

This week in the Parliament I moved a motion recommending that the disproportionate impact of cost-of-living rises on regional areas should be factored in whenever the Government formulates policy.

I have posted video of the Notice of Motion on my website at www.roybutler.com.au/video_clips

Be Fire Safe this Winter

During the sitting week I had a chance to catch up with some members of Fire and Rescue NSW, who came to Parliament for a special event. They were accompanied by Gandalf (affectionately known as Gando) the accelerant sniffer dog, who was, not surprisingly, the centre of attention.

But there was a very serious intent to the event. The Fire and Rescue came to talk about their “Be fire safe” campaign for Winter 2024. Winter often sees a spike in home fires as well as fire related injuries and fatalities.

Among the things they are urging everyone to do is to check fire alarms, also to prepare an escape plan in case a fire breaks out, to be safe in the kitchen and to beware when charging old, failing, or faulty lithium-ion batteries. Fire and Rescue are urging everyone to prepare a checklist which can be downloaded on their website at https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/befiresafe