Dubbo

Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has backed a move from the NSW Government that will target illegal companion animal breeders through a dedicated ‘Puppy Factory Taskforce’. Mr Saunders said that puppy factories are in clear breach of the State’s robust animal protection laws, and the taskforce within RSPCA NSW would allow them to weed out bad operators. “I strongly condemn any acts of cruelty perpetrated against animals, and this Government won’t be shy in going after breeders who put profits first and animals second,” he said. Mr Saunders said that the new taskforce, announced by Agriculture Minister Adam […]

Domestic violence complainants will have extra protections when giving evidence in court, while jurors will be educated on the complexities of abuse, under proposed court reforms to be introduced in NSW Parliament today. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the reforms will allow complainants in domestic violence criminal proceedings to give evidence in closed courts or remotely via audio-visual link. The changes build on existing arrangements for vulnerable witnesses, including child complainants and witnesses, sexual offence victims and those who are cognitively impaired. “Sitting in the witness box under the glare of a defendant would be understandably very

Victim-survivors of domestic and family violence and those who have been impacted by COVID-19 in Western NSWwill benefit from a funding boost to the state’s community legal assistance sector. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the NSW Government’s allocation of $5.43 million in Commonwealth funding to the State’s community legal centres will support people across Western NSW. “The global health and economic crises have had a profound impact on the Dubbo region, with people across our community facing job losses, tenancy issues and financial insecurity,” Mr Saunders said. “This funding injection will support our hard-working community legal centres,

Local Aboriginal communities are set to benefit from a share of the NSW Government’s donation of more than 700 digital thermometers to Aboriginal organisations across NSW to help them monitor and slow the spread of COVID-19. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said Transport for NSW donated the thermometers to support the work being carried out by a number of organisations who have a lead role in Aboriginal community health and other essential services. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, different parts of the NSW Government have been working together to manage the risk of the virus and assist people in

We are now less than a month away from the 2020 NSW Budget being handed down by the Treasurer. Every budget is important, but this year has taken on extra significance due to COVID-19, and the fact that everything we are doing as a government is being put on the credit card. The hard work done by this government to return the state to a surplus after 16 years of Labor incompetence has been wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic and our nation-leading response to it. But that doesn’t mean essential projects should be left behind. One of those essential

Students at public schools in the region will benefit from the funding certainty delivered in their school budget allocations for next year. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the allocations to the region’s 35 schools are part of $10.1 billion in annual Gonski funding being delivered to public schools for 2021. The distribution of funding through the Resource Allocation Model (RAM) ensures that the best possible learning opportunities are provided to directly benefit the 2021 student cohort. Mr Saunders said almost $27 million worth of funding had been allocated for Dubbo electorate schools, and  delivers support where it