June 24, 2025
Make-up of Australian Senate confirmed The writs were returned to Governor-General Sam Mostyn on 12 June by Acting Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope. Photo: AEC.
Government, National

Make-up of Australian Senate confirmed

RESULTS of the 2025 Federal Election have been finalised and the writs returned to the Governor-General Sam Mostyn. This marks the end of the electoral process for the House of Representatives and Senate and paves the way for the opening of the 48th Parliament on 22 July. Acting Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope said the election […]

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Nationals MPs slam disaster relief funding after Barrington visit Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell and Nationals leader Dugald Saunders met with primary producers in Barrington.
Government

Nationals MPs slam disaster relief funding after Barrington visit

Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell and Nationals leader Dugald Saunders met with primary producers in Barrington. NSW NATIONALS Leader Dugald Saunders has slammed the NSW Government over a “complete lack of urgency” to help flood-impacted businesses and primary producers, after visiting residents in Barrington last week. On Wednesday, 11 June, applications opened for grants of […]

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Farming body welcomes NSW Gov ag funding Premier Chris Minns with students at Tocal College last Friday.
Government

Farming body welcomes NSW Gov ag funding

Premier Chris Minns with students at Tocal College last Friday. Premier Chris Minns with students at Tocal College last Friday. The state government has committed more than $140 million to the agriculture sector. Photo: DPIRD. THE State Government will invest over $140 million of new funding to “safeguard the future of NSW’s agricultural industry”. On […]

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AEC formally declares Alison Penfold as Lyne MP Member for Lyne Alison Penfold, who represents the National Party.
Government, National

AEC formally declares Alison Penfold as Lyne MP

ALISON Penfold is now officially the Federal Member for Lyne, after the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) formally declared the ballot result last Wednesday. In an electorate reeling from the recent flood disaster, Ms Penfold said the news came at a time when it was difficult to focus on anything other than supporting the community on […]

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Cheaper complementary health treatments are on the way Private insurers will soon cover some complementary treatments. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS.
Government, Health

Cheaper complementary health treatments are on the way

WHEN Peter Hill walked into his first pilates class, he had to warm-up for the warm-up. With a feeble lower back and taut hamstrings, the then 63-year-old was hoping the therapy could aid his pain. Six years later, he can dart and dash with little-to-no trouble. “Occasionally I might have a bit of a twinge […]

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Kerbside waste collection only targeting flood-impacted areas Waste piles have been seen outside of the flood-impacted areas. Photo: supplied.
Government

Kerbside waste collection only targeting flood-impacted areas

AS the enormous clean-up effort from the flood continues, MidCoast Council is asking people outside of the flood-impacted areas not to put their waste on the kerbside. Over 15,000 tonnes of waste have already been picked up from kerbsides in areas impacted by flooding and that volume is expected to climb considerably as affected residents […]

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Voters abandoning the two major parties in Lyne
Government, Regional

Voters abandoning the two major parties in Lyne

“OVER the past 40 years the share of votes going to independents and minor parties has risen in both state and federal elections,” the Australia Institute stated in a research article in October 2024. “In the 1980 federal election, the combined primary votes for minor parties and independents accounted for only eight percent.” At the […]

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Countback process dates given
Government

Countback process dates given

THE countback process to fill the Councillor vacancy on MidCoast Council is now underway by the NSW Electoral Commission. The vacancy was created by the resignation of Dheera Smith, who stepped down due to health reasons last month. Instead of holding a by-election (estimated at around $700,000), a countback process will be undertaken, as agreed […]

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NSW Gov funds $10m for weed control and eradication Tropical Soda Apple. Photo: NSW DPI.
Government

NSW Gov funds $10m for weed control and eradication

THE NSW Government will deliver $10 million to local councils to target high-risk weeds across the state to protect the state’s primary production and public land. The NSW Government Weeds Action Program funds local councils, known as Local Control Authorities (LCA), to detect and respond quickly to incursions of new high-risk weeds. The program focuses […]

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Alison Penfold succeeds Dr David Gillespie as Lyne MP National candidate Alison Penfold has won the seat of Lyne. Photo: Alison Penfold FB.
Government

Alison Penfold succeeds Dr David Gillespie as Lyne MP

THE National Party’s Alison Penfold will be the next Federal Member for Lyne, succeeding the long-serving Dr David Gillespie. As of Monday morning, Ms Penfold held 60.55 percent of the Two candidate preferred count over Labor’s Digby Wilson (39.45 percent) after Saturday’s federal election. “I am very grateful for the support from so many individuals […]

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