Photo caption: Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall is excited to be back for the first week’s sitting of State Parliament for 2024.
Monday, 5 February 2024
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has arrived in Sydney ahead of the start of the first sitting week for State Parliament in 2024 tomorrow, one which he will be using to take up a number of local issues.
“I can’t wait for Parliament start back for the year tomorrow,” Mr Marshall said.
“This is the first sitting week since November last year and I’ll be using it to press the government and key Ministers on the critical issues confronting our region at the moment.
“I’ve already been knocking on Ministers’ doors to lock in meetings and to receive delegations from the Northern Tablelands to ensure everyone knows about the issues in our region and the need for the government to listen and act.”
On the legislative front, Mr Marshall said that in addition to reintroducing his ‘Red Fleet’ Bill into Parliament, which expired at the end of last year, he would be bringing some new legislation to the Parliament to remove the payroll tax burden for business and country NSW and increase the current $250 pensioner council rate rebate.
“This rebate has not been increased one cent in the 30 years since it was introduced,” Mr marshall said.
“Way back in 1993, the rebate was designed to cover approximately half an average pensioners’ annual council rates bill – fast forward three daces and that would barely cover half of one quarter’s rates bill.
“It’s well pat time this was increased, especially for pensioners in rural NSW, who have just had their $250 travel cards ripped away from them by the government.”
Mr Marshall said he would also use the first sitting week of Parliament to continue his campaign to improve health services across the region, with a meeting with the Health Minister and questions around new nurses, juniors doctors for our region, progress on the new Glen Innes and Moree Hospitals and when the much-talked about GP Single Employer model would start at Armidale and Inverell.
“It is critical for our region that the GP Single Employer Model, conformed by the Minister last year, starts as soon as possible,” Mr Marshall said.
“I’m hoping to secure a firm date from him this week, among many other pressing health service matters.”
Mr Marshall will also use Parliament to put the spotlight on recent spikes in criminal activity and the performance of the local court, particularly the Inverell and Moree courts, and recent decisions which has frustrated the community and law enforcement.
“I’m also concerned about the future of the Glen Innes Correctional Centre and will be following that up with the Minister, who has left the door open to the facility being downsized or closed, which we cannot allow to happen,” he said.
The local MP will also receive a briefing on construction progress of one of the transformative Moree Special Activation precinct.
“This is a critical economic development project for the Moree Plains Shire and broader region and it’s imperative no time is wasted by the government in getting it built and operational,” Mr Marshall said.
“It’s going to be busy time in Parliament and I’m looking forward to cracking on with the work of speaking up and speaking out on behalf of our region to ensure we get our fair share.”