August has been a busy month in NSW Parliament with important legislation being debated and passed including the controversial Greyhound Racing Prohibition Bill 2016.
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The introduction of this Bill will see greyhound racing banned in NSW and it has raised a lot of passionate protest across the state.
I made the very tough decision to cross the floor and vote against the Bill.
I have been in politics for over 17 years and I have only ever shown true loyalty to my party.
However, I don’t agree with the ban on greyhound racing so I decided, not to vote with Labor, but to oppose legislation which will impact so heavily on people in my electorate.
I voted against the Bill on behalf of the people who are sick and depressed, angry and hurt, by this proposed ban and who feel that they have no voice, and for many people who are involved in agriculture who are concerned this legislation will inevitably be used as a precedent to abolish other existing industries.
With Parliament in session I addressed several issues of importance to the electorate.
I spoke about the need for supported accommodation in Temora.
With the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) not coming into force in Temora until after July 1, 2017, there is a desperate need for assistance and support. I have also raised this issue with Minister Ajaka seeking help with a short term solution prior to this date.
I also spoke in Parliament about National Breastfeeding Week which was celebrated earlier this month.
I’m pleased that the Murrumbidgee Local Health District has invited businesses to support breastfeeding mothers by becoming a “Breastfeeding Welcome Here” venue.
A business simply needs a welcoming attitude from staff and management, a smoke-free environment and room to move a pram.
I congratulate the shops and businesses that have already come on board to support this very worthy initiative.
I acknowledged and thanked Wendy Glover, President of the Barmedman Development Association Inc and all its members for the wonderful work they do in the community.
A NSW Government Community Building Partnership grant assisted them with the purchase and installation of air conditioning units in their arts, crafts and coffee shop, making it a comfortable and relaxing place to be.
I had the pleasure of joining the Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight The Hon Duncan Gay in Young to announce $6.5 million in funding for two projects in the electorate as part of the State Government’s $15 million Fixing Country Rail pilot program.
Hilltops Council has been granted $5 million toward the reinstatement of the Maimuru to Demondrille railway line, a 56 kilometre section of the Cowra lines network, which will provide a much-needed important connection to the Main South Line.
The second project will see up to $1.5 million invested through Graincorp at Barellan to upgrade the rail siding to accommodate longer trains.
Gundagai was busy with additional police officers in town for a Local Area Command meeting on 18 August.
We discussed crime statistics and it is a sad fact that assault and domestic violence figures are still way too high.