Opinion Archives - New England Times Engage

Featured, Regional

Spending money to make money

1 day ago25 November 2025

Deni McKenzie writes that Armidale Regional Council’s ideas of investing in the future seem to be out of whack.

Why is Canberra hogging the Indigenous Procurement pie?

2 days ago21 November 2025

Dean Foley writes there is something really odd going on in Indigenous procurement, and our communities are missing out.

Environmental, Opinion

In the fight for clean energy, regional voices deserve better

3 days ago21 November 2025

Regional communities support renewables, but misinformation is creating confusion and anxiety. After hearing farmers’ real experiences, I told the Senate that Australia urgently needs trusted Local Energy Hubs to give people clear, factual information.

Opinion, Political, Regular columns

Denise’s Desk: City Racing Gets the Glory While the Bush Gets the Bill

4 days ago22 November 2025

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.

Featured, Political

The Breaking News that Wasn’t

6 days ago18 November 2025

Jan Kleeman writes that all the huffing and puffing in the Coalition over the last six months has changed nothing.

Featured, Opinion, Regular columns

Between Nation Building and Commercial Project

19 November 202518 November 2025

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.

Featured, Political, Regular columns

Denise’s Desk: Barnaby Joyce’s Tamworth Fantasy: A Masterclass in Blame, Hypocrisy and Delusion”

18 November 202518 November 2025

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.

Environmental, Featured, Opinion

Rail cheaper than trucks

15 November 202518 November 2025

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.

Featured, Political, Something to Think About

When did ‘net zero’ become just another term for renewables?

13 November 202513 November 2025

RK Crosby says the term ‘net zero’ does not mean ‘renewable energy’ and we’ll continue to be stuck on these issues until we’re talking about the same thing.