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FRIDAY DECEMBER 19, 2025
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Denise McHugh

Posted inRegulars, Something to Think About

Denise’s Desk: Our Youth Are Leading the Way in Innovation and Compassion

4 days ago13 December 2025

Denise has been thinking about how inspiration comes from the most unexpected places.

Posted inFeatured, Regulars, Social

Denise’s Desk: Stop Ranking Our Schools! Why League Tables Harm Students and Communities

11 December 202511 December 2025

Denise McHugh writes that NAPLAN league tables have a real human cost – and we deserve better.

Posted inPolitical, Regulars

Denise’s Desk: New England Times Poll says one thing loudly — Voters want more than the same old story

3 December 20253 December 2025

New Englanders want results and relevance. With Labor dominant federally, the only candidate who can truly deliver for the region is an MP with access to power, influence, and a direct seat at the decision-making table. The answer may be changing.

Posted inRegulars, Social

Denise’s Desk: NSW Educational Pathways program is delivering exactly what young people need

2 December 20252 December 2025

Denise McHugh says the Educational Pathways Program shows that when we invest in vocational pathways early, students thrive.

Posted inOpinion, Political, Regulars

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

22 November 202522 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.

Posted inFeatured, Political, Regulars

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.

Posted inRegulars, Social

Denise’s Desk: It’s Time to Give Our Community Preschool Teachers the Pay They Deserve

10 November 20257 November 2025

Denise McHugh writes that we need to be ensuring community preschool teachers are paid on par with primary teachers.

Posted inPolitical, Regulars

Compassion, Not Cruelty, Should Guide Our Parliament

2 November 202513 November 2025

Denise McHugh writes the Barnaby Joyce and Andrew Hastie are exploiting heartbreak for political gain.

Posted inPolitical, Regulars

Real change starts here — How Labor’s branches give country people a voice

25 October 20252 November 2025

Denise McHugh writes that real change starts in places like Tamworth, Armidale, and Gunnedah, around tables where everyday people come together with big ideas.

Posted inOpinion

Education at Risk

10 April 20252 November 2025

Local educator Denise McHugh says Dutton’s relentless attacks on education are an insult and need to be called out.

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