Roy’s Roundup 2 March 2026
G’day folks,
The last two weeks were mostly taken up with committee work, in Taree and in Sydney, but this week I am back out in the electorate.
This time I am hosting Dr Joe McGirr, the Member for Wagga Wagga, to meet with people involved in delivering medical services across Barwon.
We will be making our way from the east of the electorate out to the Far West, on a four-day tour. Dr Joe is the Chair of the Legislative Assembly Select Committee on Remote, Rural and Regional Health, which reviewed the progress of the implementation of the recommendations of the Rural Health Inquiry. He will be looking at some of the specific challenges facing medical staff and hospital administrators in Barwon, but also to see some of the things that are working well.
It should be an informative tour.
Drought Relief
With record rains falling across parts of the Far West, it might seem strange to be talking about drought relief, but there are still areas in south-western NSW that are in drought, and future droughts are never too far away in this country.
Recently the Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty announced funding for drought impacted areas of NSW. There is also more investment in feral animal control in recognition of the fact that pests become more of a problem when an area is in drought.
The funding includes:
- Doubling the loan amount available from $250,000 up to $500,000 under the $250 million Drought Ready and Resilient Fund.
- New small Drought Relief Loan of up to $100,000 established – immediate, low‑cost finance to help manage the impacts of drought. With an upfront payment option, reduced documentation requirements, and no property as security on the loan requirement.
- NSW Rural Financial Counselling Service $1.8M funding – provides free and independent financial counselling to eligible farmers experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship.
- Drought Adoption Officer Program funding extended by $1.2 million.
- Term of the Southern NSW Drought Coordinator extended – initial six months now extended to the end of 2026 and expanded to western NSW, where dry conditions are challenging farmers.
- Free feed and water testing available statewide, $250,000 funding, through LLS.
- Reduce kangaroo populations in drought-affected western NSW, $1.2 million funding.
- Increase the targeting of feral pigs and deer for landholders, $2 million program – supporting landholders in drought-impacted regions where limited food and water drive the feral and pest animals to compete with livestock around critical water points and shaded areas.
There will be a series of local events delivered across southern and western NSW to inform and facilitate access.
The applications are opening from 10 March 2026.
To find out more go to https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/loans/drought-assistance
Barwon leads NSW in rooftop solar
It was interesting to hear recently that of all electorates across NSW, Barwon is the one with the most homes and businesses with rooftop solar.
Figures published recently by the NSW Government showed that there are 24,537 homes and businesses in Barwon with rooftop solar.
Given that Barwon covers 44 percent of the state, in an area that has a higher number of sunny days than electorates in the eastern part of the state, it is not surprising that solar is considered a good option. There are more days for people, or businesses, to be able to harvest the power of the sun.
Weather extremes in many parts of Barwon, and the energy demands of running large properties, means they tend to consume more energy per capita. There can also be higher charges for consumers in places where there are relatively few connections, but the provider needs to service a large area.
Residents of Barwon know that if they can get a good installation of solar, they can save money in the long term.
In the list of the top ten electorates with rooftop solar Barwon was number one, but there were mostly regional electorates in the top ten. It shows that people in the bush are strong adopters of new technology and are not in principle opposed to renewables. But the key thing here is choice. When the decision is not imposed on them without consultation country people can see the benefits of harnessing the sun’s abundant power.
Reconstruction Committee
Some of my time over the past two weeks was spent as part of the NSW Reconstruction Authority Joint Select Committee, which is conducting a review of operations during the east coast severe weather event of May 2025.
Part of the review involved site visits and hearings in Taree, a town that was hit hard during the event. We saw flood affected parts of the town and heard a range of evidence from local organisations.
The committee’s purpose is to look for ways to improve the recovery phase following a disaster.
From the evidence presented, it is clear that whatever the disaster, there are common problems with things such as communication, coordination of services, managing donations, housing those affected as well as looking after their physical and mental wellbeing.
The information gathered from site visits and testimony presented by residents, service providers and local governments will go into creating a final report with findings and recommendations for the NSW Government.
Committees are an important way of gathering information to help the government improve the operations of its agencies and to make better decisions based on up-to-date information.
Big Wet in the Far West
There has been a decent amount of rain falling across areas of the Far West. At Cymbric Vale Station they are seeing rainfalls of over 200mm. Some areas that were recently in drought are saying the drought has now broken.
Of course, with the downpour also comes the danger of flooding. There have already been road closures along the Silver City Highway and the Barrier Highway.
It is possible that by the time this is published the waters may have receded (especially since I’m heading to Broken Hill), but if you’re heading out anywhere in the Far West it is always good to check your intended travel route and avoid flooded areas.
Check with the Bureau of Meteorology: ab.co/BOMNSW
Also, SES: www.hazardwatch.gov.au/
If you live in the area listen to ABC Broken Hill 999 AM, or on ABC listen: abc.net.au/listen/live/brokenhill
In addition, check: https://www.livetraffic.com/
Wilcannia Weir paused again
It was disappointing to hear recently that the Wilcannia Weir replacement project has been stalled again because the Federal Government has said that it is unwilling to provide funding for the project.
The NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson has said that the State Government still has $70 million set aside for the project, but the federal government needs to commit to $60 million in funding so that the community gets the weir that they agreed to. The Federal Government has said that they have not been given a business case for the Wilcannia Weir. That is now being provided and hopefully a way forward will be found.
I will meet with the Federal Water Minister, Murray Watt, to discuss the issue.
Water security is a critical issue in Wilcannia. The river has great cultural importance to the Barkandji – their name means “River People”. When there is water in the river the town is happy, when the river is low there is a rise in crime and other social problems.
The Weir has been a long time coming, but it is time to stop the delays and get the project underway.
Australian Open Sporting Clays Championship
Last week I had the pleasure of being able to get out to the Australian Open Sporting Clays Championship at the Windamere Regional Shooting Complex.
Organised by Mudgee Sporting Clays, this was an impressive event, with over 330 competitors taking part, some of them shooting a gruelling 150 targets a day, over a course that includes a range of challenging layouts.
The course was set by a fellow they flew out from England, who sets international courses around the world.
While I couldn’t take part in the full event, I got to participate in one of the side events – a pool shoot, where the score increases every consecutive target you hit.
I borrowed a gun, and Anna from Bronze Wing Australia sorted me out with some shells. Members of the NSW Government including the Premier Chris Minns should come and see what these events are all about. It’s a huge economic boost for regional communities, it’s a safe, family friendly environment. What other sport do you know of that everyone has been declared a “fit and proper person”?
All those who competed are people who will be harmed by the rushed firearms legislation the government rammed through parliament late last year.
There were people from many cultural backgrounds happily enjoying their love of the sport and not a terrorist in sight.
Paul Toole MP was there to show his support for the event, the range is on the edge of his electorate.
Young Women in Agriculture
Last week I was in Eugowra for the AgShow’s NSW Young Women in Agriculture competition Zone 6 finals.
This is a contest devised to choose young women from the country who will represent agricultural shows from regional, rural and remote areas at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
The contestants are all accomplished young women who come from a range of backgrounds, but all have a strong connection with their local agricultural show.
Among the contestants were six brilliant women from Barwon.
Like all the other contestants, the Barwon women spoke with intelligence and passion about their communities, their experiences living in the country and their involvement with regional agricultural shows. They all had to think on their feet as they answered questions about their hopes, aspirations and the legacy of agricultural shows.
In their responses they demonstrated what amazing ambassadors they all are for their communities and for their local shows.
While this time there were no Barwon women among the three selected to go on to the next stage, everyone who made it this far can be justly proud of themselves. It was a tough competition and every one of them did their communities proud.
The event was hosted by the Eugowra Show Society and held at Eugowra’s brand new Multipurpose centre. It is an impressive venue, and it is great to see this sort of investment in regional NSW.
I wish the women the best of luck in their future, judging from this event those futures will be bright.
Civics – Minor Parties
In Australian parliaments we have what is known as a “two party” political system, which evolved from similar systems operating in the UK and America. Broadly speaking it means that two major parties dominate the political landscape, alternating between the two in forming governments – although in most of Australia one of those parties, the Australian Liberals, operates consistently in coalition with a smaller party, the Nationals).
While it has its problems, this system promotes a more stable government, without splinter groups or radical opinions holding sway. The two majors are also large enough to house a wide range of political views, even if, from time to time, narrow factions tend to dominate.
But in any parliament dominated by two major parties there are usually a smattering of members from minor parties and several independents forming what is known as the Cross Bench.
Although there is no specific definition, minor parties are generally considered to be any that are smaller than the two major parties, they will rarely have more than a handful of members in parliament, one to ten at the most. They have fewer members than the opposition and can never form government, unless they form a coalition with other parties.
Mostly they will be in the upper house of a parliament because they usually represent only a small proportion of the population (to win election to the lower house you need to have the support of around half of the people in an electorate). Most minor parties usually have a narrow policy focus, some are ‘single issue” parties, therefore they find it hard to form a comprehensive range of polices on things such as health, education, taxes, foreign affairs, trade, manufacturing.
Even if polls tend to show a lot of support for minor parties, when it comes to elections most people don’t vote for a minor party because the issue, or narrow set of issues, they are built around might not be the most pressing issue for voters.
However, sometimes minor parties can end up holding the balance of power in the lower house, if the government doesn’t have a clear majority. This can tend to be a destabilising influence.
Minor parties have an important role, they can hold the government to account, they provide a different perspective in debates on bills, they can propose legislation that other parties won’t.
But minor parties tend to be driven by inflexible ideology or party policy that might not reflect the majority opinion.
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