Denise McHugh says the Act review is a long overdue chance to fix a system that’s favoured the city while country clubs struggle. Racing NSW’s power has gone unchecked for too long, and regional racing deserves transparency and a fair go.
New England Times Engage
Posted inNew England Times Engage Poll
Engage Poll Results: Leadership and Candidates
Read all the numbers form the most recent Engage Poll on Joyce, candidates, and directly eelcted mayors.
Posted inQuick Word
QW: Mudgee stands with New England
Michael Sweeney from Mudgee says regional communities are united in the battle to restore their railways, after years of being dismissed by governments and TfNSW despite strong evidence and support.
Posted inFeatured, Political
The Breaking News that Wasn’t
Jan Kleeman writes that all the huffing and puffing in the Coalition over the last six months has changed nothing.
Posted inFeatured, Opinion, Regular columns
Between Nation Building and Commercial Project
Siri Gamage says the debate over restoring the Armidale–Queensland rail line is trapped between nation-building ideals and commercial realities, urging governments to see it as vital regional infrastructure rather than a costly local project.
Posted inUncategorized
Letter: blame for council underfunding
Dear Editor, Regarding the story Albo fund our Councils! Well may the new Nationals Member for Parkes complain about the inadequate funding of NSW local government, but this conveniently overlooks the constitutional fact that local government is a function of the NSW state rather than the Federal Parliament, and the quiet compliance of his predecessor during […]
Posted inUncategorized
QW: Rail is essential
The rail line from Tamworth to SE Qld is critical to both passengers and freight. Number two must be to connect the Inland Rail at Moree with the North Coast Line at Grafton as it helps make a real rail network and connects the inland with the coast for trade, tourism and social needs. Re: […]
Posted inFeatured, Political, Regular columns
Denise’s Desk: Barnaby Joyce’s Tamworth Fantasy: A Masterclass in Blame, Hypocrisy and Delusion”
Denise McHugh says Barnaby Joyce’s performance at the Tamworth Business Chamber’s State of the Nation forum was less a “vision” for regional Australia and more a foghorn blast of hypocrisy, denial, and political opportunism.
Posted inLetters
Letter: Railway renewal as political spending equity
I refer to the Siri Gamage article; Merits of Regional Rail Renewal vs a Rail Trail: Failures of Decision-Making in New England (14 November 2025). I continue to be amazed by the antics of the elected Armidale Regional Council (ARC) Councillors spending up big on developing a ”bike path to nowhere to see nothing” at […]
Posted inEnvironmental, Featured, Opinion
Rail cheaper than trucks
Mal Peters says freight once arrived in Armidale by train, but government cuts shifted it to trucks and crumbling roads. He argues reopening the Armidale north rail corridor is vital for Australia’s freight competitiveness and environmental future.