Priority Issues

Agriculture:

Around 12 per cent of Australia’s GDP ($78 billion) is generated from agriculture and 15 per cent of all jobs across the nation are directly linked to agriculture. As a significant financial contributor to our economy, a strong prosperous agricultural sector underpins the success of our communities, our towns and our business.

• establishment of a nationwide agricultural plan.

• protection of generational farming families to ensure a sustainable role in food production in the future.

• continued investment in research and development.

• strengthen biosecurity measures to protect and support industry.

• investment in road, rail and bridges to reduce supply chain costs, improve delivery and efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

• recognition agriculture supports bio-diversity and environmental outcomes on farm.

Water:

Southern basin irrigators have delivered around 85 per cent of the 2100GL of water recovered for the environment under the basin plan - there is no more water left to give. Current policy favours delivery of large volumes of water downstream to the detriment of the upstream river environment and water security, negatively impacting  the environment and NSW Murray and Murrumbidgee irrigator allocations.

• work within the constraints of the system to ensure a healthy river environment and a sustainable agricultural industry.

• northern valley floodplain harvesters must be licensed to the legislated 1994 legal Cap level, like every other southern basin irrigator.

• establishment of a transparent water register.

• foreign investment board review into water ownership.

• no 450GL water buyback.

• investigate conveyance and the impacts of carryover on allocation.

• reinstate voluntary contributions.

Health:

Our rural health system needs significant financial investment. I have successfully advocated for funding for Griffith, Finley, Deniliquin and Wentworth hospitals and I will continue to make rural health services a top priority for Murray. The city-based model of care does not work in the country, and I want to see localism returned to community health.

• financial incentives and support to encourage medical professionals to work and stay in Murray.

• Griffith Hospital set up as a major health precinct for Murray, with research and expanded training facilities operational, while Deniliquin Hospital must be upgraded (new hospital) to cater for central southwest Murray communities.

• pilot program to establish a new health district for Murray, breaking away from Murrumbidgee Health.

• protection of medical services in rural areas.

• return of local based boards for hospital management.

• access to designated mental health and end of life units in hospital, drug, alcohol and gambling support and suicide prevention program

Education:

Staff shortages are impacting the education opportunities for our children. We need a state-wide incentive program to encourage teachers into rural schools, less red tape, better pay, rental assistance, housing and professional development support.

• I will continue to support recommendations from the University of NSW calling for the one school, two site model to never be repeated again while supporting the community call for a demerger of the Murrumbidgee Regional High School.

• financial remuneration for student teachers on placement in rural schools.

• reduce unreasonable workloads and increase teaching support.

• affordable education and return of TAFE courses into rural areas.

Community infrastructure:

Murray needs investment in digital connectivity, bridges, roads and rail to enable safe travel and improved agricultural supply chain delivery. Poor connectivity plagues our region and inhibits business growth, while dangerous roads and lack of infrastructure development push people away from rural areas.

• additional investment in infrastructure to help mitigate flood damaged roads.

• establishment and improvement of an efficient rail and freight corridor across Murray including the Tocumwal-Narrandera Line.

• expansion of the state Regional Digital Connectivity Program announced in 2019.

Labour and Housing:

Labour shortages are impacting industry and impeding growth across all industries including manufacturing, agriculture, retail, health and education.

• upskilling the workforce with access to affordable education.

• cut red tape to support development and increase investment in housing across the electorate to ensure we have a combination of affordable social, residential, on farm housing and accommodation.

• strong and functioning visa system to encourage and support workers into rural areas.

• reasonable and workable time frames for visa applications.