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Country North Province Newsletter – March 2025 –
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A Message from the Hon Aileen MacDonald MLCDear , It’s been a busy and energising start to the year. From the Liberal victory in Port Macquarie to work in Parliament and across the province, momentum is building, and I’m proud to share some of the highlights with you. |
What's in this NewsletterPort Macquarie By-election Victory New responsibilities – Same commitment to reform Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival – A regional showcase Budget Estimates and Committee Hearings PFAS Contamination Hearings Committee Port Stephens Storm Recovery PCYC – exploring co-location options Parliamentary Friends of Youth Justice Reform Youth Justice Reform: Bail Amendment Bill 2025 Behind the Scenes – Sydney Water, innovation, and education Youth Justice in Action – Visiting A Place to Go
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Port Macquarie By-election VictoryThe standout moment so far this year was the Liberal Party’s strong win in the Port Macquarie by-election. Robert Dwyer, our outstanding Liberal candidate, was elected with 53.3% of the two-candidate preferred vote, defeating the Nationals’ Sean Gleeson (46.7%). This result is a testament to Robert’s dedication, the leadership of Opposition Leader Mark Speakman and Deputy Leader Natalie Ward, and the incredible work of our local branch, campaign team, and State Director Chris Stone. Thank you to the many volunteers and MPs who travelled to Port Macquarie to lend a hand at street stalls, during pre-poll, and on election day. Your support made all the difference. Robert Dwyer has been part of the Port Macquarie community for more than 30 years. He’s a proud local, a father of three, and has long supported youth, sport, and homelessness initiatives. Before entering Parliament, he served as general manager of a local ex-services club and chaired the Slice of Haven Festival. He is passionate about regional communities, and I know he will be a strong and effective voice for Port Macquarie. I also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the retirement of Leslie Williams, the longest-serving Member for Port Macquarie, who announced in January her intention to resign from Parliament on 31 January 2025. Leslie served nearly 14 years in Parliament with integrity and compassion. I thank her for her tireless service and wish her, and her family—Ben, Meredie, and their loved ones—all the very best for the next chapter. |
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New responsibilities – Same commitment to reformFollowing the retirement of Leslie Williams, I was honoured to be appointed Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, while continuing in my existing role as Shadow Minister for Youth Justice. I am passionate about Aboriginal Affairs and the important intersection it has with Youth Justice. I have already held the first of many meetings with stakeholders such as the Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations. In the upcoming months, I will be convening a series of roundtables across NSW. Stay tuned for more information. Touching on Youth Justice, earlier this year, I released a discussion paper, following significant research and meaningful discussions with stakeholders. The paper is available on my website, and I would be grateful if any submissions in response to the paper could be sent to my Office before 30 June 2025. I am working to present an updated policy position to the Opposition by the end of the year, one that is evidence-based and shaped by the real experience of communities and frontline workers. You can go straight to the discussion paper - Click here to view the Discussion Paper |
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Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival – A regional showcaseI volunteered at the Guyra Lamb and Potato Festival, an event that has been bringing the community together for over 30 years. Held over 10 days in January of each year, the festival was originally conceived to showcase Guyra's lamb and potato industries, which helped shape the town's identity and economy. While agriculture in the region is diversified, including industries such as horticulture, beef and wool production, we continue to honour the traditions that put Guyra on the map. My heartfelt thanks to the committee: Chris Bell, Gwyneth Pearson, Carol Tierney, Julie Gittoes, Ian Castle, and President Steve Mepham, your efforts create community, connection, and economic opportunity year after year. |
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Budget Estimates and Committee HearingsI participated in multiple Budget Estimates hearings in February and March, with a particular focus on the Local Government portfolio. On 28 February, I asked the Minister for Local Government several questions about stakeholder engagement and council performance. |
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PFAS Contamination Hearings Committee I also visited the Blue Mountains and Newcastle for hearings of the Select Committee on PFAS Contamination in Waterways and Drinking Water Supplies. I questioned representatives from the Blue Mountains Council, Cadia Community Sustainability Network, Hunter Water, and the Hunter New England Local Health District on the impact of PFAS and the response from authorities. |
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Spotlight on Longevity – More than just yearsAs Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Empowering Older Women, I was pleased to host PrimeLife Partners on 19 February., Dr Abby Bloom and Anne-Marie Elias PrimeLife Partners shared powerful insights on financial independence, housing security, healthy ageing and staying socially connected with a focus on older women. We are living longer than ever before, and now is the time to ensure those extra years are full of dignity, opportunity, and wellbeing. |
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Port Stephens Storm RecoveryOn 6 February, in my role as Duty MLC for Port Stephens, I joined Cr Nathan Errington to meet local businesses affected by severe weather and power outages between 15–17 January. Hospitality businesses, in particular, experienced significant losses during their peak trading period. The NSW Opposition backed a natural disaster declaration, which enabled payments to begin flowing to impacted businesses. |
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With Cr Nathan Errington discussing storm damage with business owner |
Freedom Ride 60th AnniversaryAs Acting Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, I was honoured to speak on behalf of the Opposition on the 60th anniversary of the Freedom Ride. I reflected on the bravery of those who challenged injustice in 1965 and the responsibility we bear to honour their legacy with meaningful action. Here is an excerpt from my speech: “Sixty years ago, the Freedom Riders stood in the blistering heat outside the Walgett RSL, determined to be heard… They believed in something greater: a future where Aboriginal people would be equal in opportunity, in dignity and in life… Let us commit today to finishing the work the Freedom Riders started.” |
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SydWest Roundtable – Community Led supportOn 21 February 2025, I joined Clement Meru and the team at SydWest Multicultural Services who brought Youth Justice Stakeholders together to hear about their early intervention and diversion work with young people from culturally diverse backgrounds. SydWest delivers multilingual youth programs, housing support and NDIS services. It was a significant meeting and reminder that the best ideas often come from communities themselves. |
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PCYC, exploring co-location optionsUnder the same light, I visited the Weatherill Park Stockland as the PCYC team assesses potential projects for expanding the number of PCYCs across the community and within different shopping centres. |
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Parliamentary Friends of Youth Justice ReformAs Shadow Minister for Youth Justice, I was proud to host a meeting of the Parliamentary Friends of Youth Justice Reform on 19 March. The National Children’s Commissioner, Anne Hollonds, presented her report Help Way Earlier! to a room filled with MPs, service providers, advocates, and community leaders. Organisations including StreetWork, BackTrack, Youth Action, Centacare, Domestic Violence NSW, the Salvation Army, the Justice Reform Initiative, the Australian Christian Lobby, and the Justice and Equity Centre came together with a shared purpose: to improve outcomes for children in crisis. There was strong support for investing in early intervention, culturally safe services, trauma-informed care, and alternatives to detention. This group is not just a talkfest, it is a place for bipartisan collaboration and practical outcomes. If we help way earlier, we can change the story for our young people and their families. |
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With Anne Hollonds, National Children’s Commissions and friends of the Parliamentary Friends Groups of Youth Justice Reform |
Youth Justice Reform: Bail Amendment Bill 2025I also spoke on the Bail Amendment (Extension of Limitation on Bail in Certain Circumstances) Bill 2025. I highlighted the lack of Government investment in Early Intervention and Diversionary Programs, especially in rural NSW, where it is needed. Here’s an excerpt from my speech: “I support giving police and courts the tools they need to deal with repeat offenders. But I cannot support the fantasy that tougher bail laws alone will solve this crisis… If we want fewer victims, we need fewer offenders. That means real solutions, not just tougher headlines.” |
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Behind the Scenes, Sydney Water, innovation, and educationDuring my visit to the Sydney Water Discovery Centre, I was briefed on sustainability planning and innovations in water security, key priorities for regional NSW in a changing climate. Here are some fun facts: Recycled water is cleaner than you think, thanks to advanced treatment processes like reverse osmosis. You might have already drunk it, over 50 years, Perth citizens have been safely drinking purified recycled water! If you’ve visited Singapore, California, or London, you may have had it before!
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Celebrating Regional Champions – Penny LamaroCongratulations to Penny Lamaro, who was recognised as Local Woman of the Year for the Northern Tablelands and a finalist for the NSW Regional Woman of the Year award. Penny leads a community-owned crisis service, chairs Youth Action, and is building Armidale’s new Youth Hub. She also hosted the Young People Doing It Tough conference in 2024. Her work is nothing short of transformative. It was an honour to stand beside her at the awards. |
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Youth Justice in Action – Visiting A Place to GoOne of the most powerful visits this year was to A Place to Go, a therapeutic home for young people in contact with the justice system. I visited on 24th of March 2025. Thank you to MacKillop Family Services and Youth Justice NSW for showing me what dignity, care and cultural safety look like in practice. This model works and should be expanded to more communities. |
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Aileen visited A Place to Go on the 24th of March 2025 |
Warmest regards, The Hon Aileen MacDonald OAM MLC Shadow Minister for Youth Justice Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Duty MLC for Port Stephens and Maitland I Province MLC for Country North Province. |
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