Victory for Regional Travellers as Discovery Pass Pause Ends
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The sudden removal of the three- and six-month NSW TrainLink Discovery Passes created concern across regional communities. These passes were a crucial and affordable travel option for many, including students, older residents, and workers who relied on them to maintain vital connections to family, education, healthcare, and employment. The decision to remove them without notice or consultation disrupted lives and caused financial hardship. I stood up for my community and regional NSW because this service is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. After I sponsored an e-petition, community members and commuters began sharing their stories. Through their voices and several media interviews, I was able to highlight the essential role these passes play in regional transport and the challenges many continue to face. In response, the Minns Government quietly reinstated the Discovery Passes, but only partially. Michael, a constituent from Armidale, received a letter from the Minister’s office explaining that the sale of the passes had been “paused” due to the rollout of an upgraded booking system meant to simplify reservations. While this suggested the full return of the original passes, they have only been reinstated for Economy class. The first-class option has been cancelled without proper communication or explanation, frustrating those who relied on it for comfort and accessibility on longer journeys. This lack of transparency and incomplete reinstatement highlights ongoing concerns in the regional community, as Labor continues to neglect them. Although the return of the Economy class Discovery Pass is welcome, the Government still overlooks the needs of regional NSW, particularly commuters who depend on reliable, long-distance travel for work, family, and education. Minister for Regional Transport John Graham MLC claimed the pause was to review the booking system and product offering. But this response falls short. It reframes what was effectively a quiet cut as a technical review, without acknowledging the disruption or committing to a full restoration, including the return of the first-class option that many regular travellers depended on. |
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Minns Labor Government Shuts Down Lifeline for Small Business Owners
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Small businesses are the lifeblood of regional communities, but the Minns Labor Government has dealt them a major blow in its recent Budget, cutting funding to the highly successful Business Connect program. From mums and dads running family stores to young entrepreneurs starting out, Business Connect has provided crucial support to help businesses survive and thrive, particularly in tough times. The program offered up to eight hours of free, one-on-one advice on everything from digital marketing and financial planning to business strategy and resilience. For many across our region, it’s been a game-changer. Now, Labor is shutting the program down from 30 September 2025. At a time when small business owners are already grappling with soaring costs, weak consumer confidence, and record levels of insolvency, this decision is both short-sighted and damaging. The Liberal and National Coalition is calling on the Minns Government to urgently reverse this decision and continue funding Business Connect services. We should be backing small businesses, not abandoning them. If this decision affects your business or local network, I encourage you to share your story and make your voice heard. Together, we’ll keep fighting for the support our regional businesses deserve. |
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Regional NSW Businesses neglected by Minn's government
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Earlier this month, the Minns Government announced Category D disaster recovery grants of up to $75,000 for primary producers affected by the May floods in New South Wales. This announcement followed strong community advocacy, including rallies in Taree and Kempsey, where over 5,000 residents demanded greater support. However, small businesses remain excluded from this increased funding. While primary producers can now access grants up to $75,000, small businesses are still capped at $25,000. This disparity has left many small business owners feeling overlooked and under-supported as they struggle to recover. The delay in accessing these funds has added to the frustration. Some farmers, such as Tim Bale, expressed disappointment at the month-long wait for assistance, despite the flooding being more severe than the 2021 event. The ongoing emotional and financial strain has even led some to consider leaving their industries altogether. Although the increased grants for primary producers are a positive step, many argue that the funding still falls short of covering the extensive damage caused by the floods. The exclusion of small businesses from this enhanced support and the delays in aid highlight broader concerns about the adequacy and fairness of recovery efforts. There is a growing call for the government to extend the higher funding limits to small businesses and to streamline the application process, ensuring timely and equitable assistance for all communities impacted by these devastating floods. |
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Celebrating Women’s Leadership in Business, Zonta Award Opportunity
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One of the most rewarding parts of my role is championing opportunities for women across our regions. That’s why I’m pleased to highlight the Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award, a remarkable initiative empowering young women who demonstrate leadership, an entrepreneurial spirit, and ethical conduct in business. This international award, supported by Zonta International, provides recipients with: It is wonderful to see the Zonta Club of Armidale leading the charge in our region, ensuring that women in New England have access to the same opportunities and encouragement as their city counterparts. If you or someone you know is a young woman leading the way in business, I encourage you to explore this opportunity and consider applying. I also encourage community organisations, business groups, and schools to help spread the word. By promoting this award, we strengthen the visibility of women’s leadership and inspire the next generation of changemakers in regional NSW. A big thank you to Jerastin Dubash and the Zonta Club of Armidale for your advocacy and commitment to women’s advancement. |
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Local Sport Grant Program applications are open!
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Great news for our local sports community! The NSW Government’s Local Sport Grant Program is now open, offering funding between $2,000 and $20,000 for individual clubs, with up to $50,000 available in each electorate. Suppose you are part of a grassroots sports club or a community group seeking to increase participation, upgrade facilities, or launch a new program. In that case, this is a fantastic opportunity to make it happen. Whether you’re coaching, organising events, or just passionate about getting more people active, this is a great opportunity to bring real benefits to your club. Applications are open now, and projects need to be wrapped up by 30 September 2027, so there is time to plan something meaningful. Don’t miss out! Check if your club’s eligible and apply soon! |
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What kind of Parliament are we leaving for the next generation of women?
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The recent headlines have been confronting, but they underscore a deeper truth: real change is still needed. I’ve shared some personal reflections on respect, culture, and why we must act now, so that future women never have to ask for the basics: safety, dignity, and fairness. We must act now, so future women don’t have to
The recent news about behaviour inside and outside the Legislative Council Chamber is deeply unsettling, but let’s be honest, this is not the first time a man in public office has behaved badly, and unless something changes, it won’t be the last. There is a culture that still shrugs off appalling behaviour as “just politics” or “a bit of banter.” Women who raise concerns are told we are too sensitive or that we simply cannot take a joke. That culture is part of the problem. It silences people, protects those who harm, and chips away at the dignity of our workplace. Parliament should not be exempt from the standards we expect everywhere else. It should lead by example. The Broderick Review laid bare how far we have to go. It exposed the systems that, all too often, protect reputations instead of people. We’ve seen it firsthand: processes that are complex, drawn-out, and intimidating, and in the meantime, the harm continues. As Malcolm Turnbull said, “Not all disrespect of women ends in violence against women, but all violence against women begins with disrespecting women.” We cannot afford to let disrespect sit unchallenged because every time we excuse or ignore it, we normalise it, and we push change further down the road. But here’s the truth: we can change this. We can call out poor behaviour, even when it’s uncomfortable.
We can insist on systems that protect those who speak up.
We can build a culture where every person, regardless of gender, age, background, or politics, is treated with dignity and respect. This is not just about us. It is about the women who come after us, our daughters, our nieces, our future colleagues. We act now so that one day, they won’t have to fight these battles at all. So that they will walk into Parliament, or any workplace, and know that respect is not something they have to earn, it’s something they can expect. Let’s be the generation that turns things around. Not just with words, but with action. |
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Learning from Abroad: Youth Justice Study Tour
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This month, I had the privilege of travelling to Spain and Scotland as part of a study tour to observe how different jurisdictions approach Youth Justice. What I saw was both inspiring and challenging, models that prioritise early intervention, strong family and community engagement, and a therapeutic response over a purely punitive one. These systems treat children not just as offenders, but as individuals shaped by their experiences, with the capacity to change. At the heart of these models is a commitment to community safety, recognising that we keep communities safer by supporting young people to turn their lives around, not by locking them up and walking away. It’s a whole-of-community approach, and while I’ll have more to say in the months ahead, one thing is clear: doing what we’ve always done in NSW isn’t working. We can do better, for our communities and our young people. |
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The Hon. Aileen MacDonald & Fiona Duncan, Chair, The Promise Scotland | Independent Strategic Advisor - The Promise |
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