Author name: Dugald Saunders

Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has welcomed the announcement of the NSW Government’s new Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) and Regional Procurement Policy. The policy was announced on Friday by Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Finance Minister Damien Tudehope, and will ensure government agencies need to first consider buying goods and services from a small, medium or regional business for all direct procurements up to $250,000. With regional areas being victims of drought, COVID-19 and in some cases bushfires, Mr Saunders has lobbied hard to see the policy introduced and said he is committed to ensuring the NSW […]

Domestic and family violence services in the region that are experiencing increased demand as a result of COVID-19 can now apply for a share of $9 million in funding. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the COVID-19 Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Grant program aimed to ensure more victim-survivors can access services at this crucial time. “Many domestic violence services have moved quickly to innovate and adapt their supports during the pandemic – when women and children may have struggled to access help,” Mr Saunders said. “A safe home is something many of us take for granted, but

Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders is encouraging people across the region to ‘Thank A Tradie’ during National Skills Week. Mr Saunders said the annual week celebrates the talents, skills and contributions of tradespeople educated in the NSW vocational system. It’s the perfect time to acknowledge the continued hard work and commitment of local tradies who are the backbone of our communities. “Many of our tradies are out in the community delivering important services during the current COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. “Tradespeople work on projects ranging from electrical repairs in the family home to major infrastructure projects. They gain

Farmers seeking workers and contractors for harvest now have access to the dedicated online resource, ‘Help Harvest NSW’, which will help them contact and arrange workers ahead of what is expected to be the best harvest in many years. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders welcomed today’s launch of the website by the NSW Government, and said the one-stop portal would connect prospective employers with workers as part of the NSW Government’s COVID Recovery Plan. “Farmers across the central west are poised to reap their biggest harvest since the drought began many years ago, so it is critical they

Regional communities across the State are set to benefit from the first round of the NSW Government’s $500 million Fixing Country Bridges program. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders is encouraging Dubbo Regional Council, Narromine Shire Council and Mid-Western Regional Council to apply for funding to replace priority bridges. “We went to the 2019 State Election committed to replacing hundreds of ageing timber bridges across regional NSW and better connecting countless small communities in the bush,” Mr Saunders said. “That’s why I’m encouraging the three councils in the Dubbo electorate to nominate eligible timber bridges for replacement. “The first