All regions

Leader of the NSW Nationals Dugald Saunders and Shadow Minister for Water Steph Cooke will introduce a Bill to protect Water NSW and local water utilities from privatisation. “Access to drinking water for people in regional NSW should be the same as for people living in Sydney,” Mr Saunders said. “The Premier had an opportunity to show he will govern for all of NSW, not just for Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong – he has failed, so we are now taking action to right that wrong.” Ms Cooke has lodged a Notice of Motion to introduce the Constitution Amendment (Water NSW […]

Member for Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has condemned the Labor Government’s decision to slash the value of Active Kids and First Lap vouchers, cease the standalone Creative Kids voucher, and massively restrict the eligibility of NSW families. Mr Saunders said thousands of families in the Dubbo electorate and regional NSW rely on the annual vouchers to enrol their children in sporting and creative activities. “All families in our community could receive $300 per child per year in Active Kids and Creative Kids vouchers under the Liberal and Nationals Government,” Mr Saunders said. “Under Labor’s cuts, the number of eligible families

The NSW Labor Government has failed to protect regional water assets after passing legislation to enshrine Sydney Water Corporation in the NSW Constitution. The government rejected amendments by the opposition to include regional water utilities alongside Sydney Water Corporation and Hunter Water Corporation as assets that cannot be privatised. NSW Nationals leader and Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said access to drinking water for people in regional NSW should be the same as for people living in Sydney. “The Premier’s first legislative act has divided our state based on where we live,” Mr Saunders said. “Chris Minns had

The New South Wales Labor Government has refused to rule out cutting the Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card in its September Budget. The former Liberal and Nationals Government travel card has been instrumental in assisting over 5,000 regional apprentices since its inception this year to manage the cost of travel associated with their studies or apprenticeships. NSW Nationals Leader, Shadow Minister for Regional NSW and Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the comments by Labor last week just confirm what we already knew – if you don’t live in Sydney, Newcastle or Wollongong the Labor Government

VRA Rescue NSW will receive nine (9) new specialist rescue vehicles worth over $2.75 million, with the official handover taking place on Saturday, May 27th in Dubbo. The vehicles include five (5) Medium Rescue vehicles for the Leeton, Lithgow, Merriwa, Narooma, and Corowa Squads, two (2) 4WD Remote Access Light Rescue vehicles for the Quirindi and Guyra Squads, one (1) specialist rescue support vehicle, and one (1) 4WD Command and Logistics Support vehicle to operate across NSW. Commissioner, Brenton Charlton, conveyed his deep appreciation for the ongoing and unwavering support of the NSW Government in providing vital resources and state-of-the-art

Local first year apprentices facing financial or personal hardship can be supported with a $15,000 scholarship to undertake their trade and study. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships will support apprentices to either start, change, or further their career. “This scholarship program offers a great incentive for eligible locals to kick-start their career,” Mr Saunders said. “An apprenticeship is a great way to kick-start a career, and apprentices are vital to our State’s growth, but we also understand it’s not always easy to complete a qualification. “Whether you need to purchase new tools,

Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has today called on Chris Minns and Labor to reinstate funding for the $100 Active Kids vouchers. The vouchers, which provide $100 for parents, guardians and carers of school-enrolled children to use towards sport and recreation costs each year, are currently subject to Labor’s Comprehensive Expenditure Review’, and are facing the axe. Mr Saunders said the vouchers had significantly increased participation in sport across the Dubbo electorate, with more than 47,000 vouchers used in the region since 2018. “I’ve seen first-hand the difference these vouchers have made, particularly as the cost of living

Leader of the NSW Nationals Dugald Saunders has called on the NSW Labor Government to come clean on its regional infrastructure priorities, following the Federal Labor Government’s first budget. Mr Saunders said NSW Labor has refused to answer questions about its priorities in the first question time of the new Parliament, leaving regional communities in the dark about what will be cut. “The first question we asked in the new Parliament was whether State Labor would back in key road and water projects in regional NSW, and it has refused to,” Mr Saunders said. “Chris Minns and Labor have literally