Youth Off the Streets

I was deeply moved to reconnect with Judy Barraclough from Youth Off the Streets this month. Their 2024 report lays bare the scale of challenges faced by young people across NSW, but also the incredible impact that support and belief can have. In the past year alone they: 

• - Supported over 1,200 young people at risk of homelessness, 

• - Offered education and training to more than 1,600 students, 

• - Delivered alcohol and other drug support to more than 1,000 young people, and 

• - Reached hundreds more through justice programs, outreach, and mentoring. 

What struck me most was their “wraparound” approach, crisis accommodation, accredited schools, family violence education, mentoring, and life-skills workshops all woven together.

It’s a reminder that young people’s lives are complex, but with the right support, they can be transformed. Meeting with Judy reinforced why my work in Youth Justice matters: we must focus less on punishment and more on prevention, less on detention and more on diversion. 

Scarlett’s Second Chance 

At the RSPCA, I met Scarlett, a little puppy with the biggest, most trusting eyes. Scarlett is still waiting for her forever home, but in many ways, she represents what the RSPCA does every single day: giving second chances.

Every year, thousands of animals across NSW are rescued, rehabilitated, and rehomed thanks to the tireless efforts of staff and volunteers. It’s easy to see this as just “animal welfare,” but it’s so much more. These stories build compassion in our communities, teach children about kindness, and remind us that no life is beyond hope. Scarlett’s journey isn’t just about one dog finding a family; it’s about the ripple effect of care and compassion that strengthens our society. 

Celebrating Foster Carers 

This month, I also had the privilege of thanking foster carers, the quiet heroes who open their homes and hearts to children in out-of-home care. Their generosity creates safe, nurturing environments for young people who have often faced trauma and uncertainty. 

Foster carers do not just provide shelter, they provide consistency, stability, and love. They teach children how to trust again, how to feel safe, and how to imagine a future where they can thrive. Their care changes lives in ways statistics can never capture. I am in awe of their resilience and their selflessness. On behalf of our community, I extend my heartfelt gratitude.  

Building stronger Communities 

At the Uniting Families Report launch, I was reminded that family comes in many shapes and forms. This decade-long research project celebrates the resilience of Australian families and calls for policies that reflect real life. It was a powerful reminder that when we listen to lived experiences, we can create policy that truly supports communities. 

Community Preschools work, I met with the Independent Education Union to discuss the important work undertaken by community preschools across NSW. They are dedicated to giving children the best start in life, providing quality early education, building resilience, and supporting each child’s learning journey. They foster strong connections with local schools, ensuring children feel confident and supported as they transition into formal education. It was encouraging to hear about the commitment of educators who, every day, nurture the next generation and strengthen our communities. Their role in shaping young lives is invaluable. 

Success Works is breaking the cycle of disadvantaged women with criminal records. Through mentoring, job readiness, and partnerships with employers, they help women rebuild their lives, re-enter the workforce, and create brighter futures for their families. Their work is not only about employment, but also about restoring confidence, dignity, and hope. As someone who worked in Community Corrections, I know firsthand how critical this support is.  

At our Parliamentary Friends of Empowering Older Women event, Danica Bunch shared her journey from building a PR firm during COVID to facing a breast cancer diagnosis. Her courage, honesty, and advocacy for women’s health were profoundly moving. She reminded us that resilience isn’t just about survival, it’s about finding voice, visibility, and purpose in the hardest of times. 

• Habitat protection means stronger environmental laws

I met with the Nature Conservation Council, who continue to do important work advocating for the protection of native wildlife and habitats across NSW. Their efforts remind us that preserving our natural environment is a responsibility shared by all of us, regardless of political stripe. 

What struck me most is that protecting biodiversity does not need to come at the expense of farming or regional communities. With balance and cooperation, we can support sustainable land management that benefits both people and the environment. 

I appreciate the Council’s commitment to this vital work and look forward to ongoing conversations about how we can work together to ensure a healthy future for both nature and our communities. 

Balanced MP, putting preventative health into practice 

This month, I was proud to co-host the Balanced MP event at Parliament House alongside Geoff Provest MP, with Olympic Champion Duncan Armstrong OAM OLY, Accredited Exercise Physiologists, and the team from ESSA Australia, Balance Metrix, and Exercise Lab. 

The event put preventative health into the spotlight, showing how simple measures of balance, strength, and mobility can be powerful indicators of long-term well-being. MPs took part in health assessments, from grip strength to sit-to-stand tests, and experienced firsthand how exercise is medicine. These measures are not just numbers, they reflect vitality, resilience, and the ability to live independently as we age.

In a time when our health system is under immense pressure, prevention matters more than ever. Investing in exercise and movement isn’t about elite sport, but about reducing chronic disease, preventing falls, supporting mental wellbeing, and extending healthy years of life. By focusing on prevention and making exercise part of our daily routine, we can ease pressure on hospitals and create healthier communities. 

Are you a Balanced MP was a reminder that the best healthcare begins long before someone enters an emergency department, it starts with prevention, connection, and the simple act of moving well. 

Championing regional businesses 

September was also a celebration of regional enterprise and innovation: 

In Armidale, the New England Northwest Business Awards showcased the grit and brilliance of our local businesses. From Sierra Tek Global’s cutting-edge innovation to the Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service’s community leadership, it was a night that highlighted the best of our region. 

The Business Hunter Awards saw Newcastle Airport sweep three major awards, alongside many others recognised for excellence and contribution. These awards remind us that the Hunter is not just the economic engine of NSW, but a hub of creativity and resilience. 

The Port Stephens Local Business Awards celebrated the businesses that make daily life possible, from property services to outstanding local trades. The Youth Award for Montana Olding was a special highlight, recognising young leadership in our region. 

These nights were not just about trophies, they were about people, about perseverance, and about the businesses that make our towns and regions thrive. 

Committee Work

• Portfolio Committee No. 4 – Regional NSW tabled its Interim Report into Renewable Energy Zones (REZ), which can be read in the link below. Further Hearings are to take place in the last week of September in the Hunter region and then in the Illawarra in October.

• State Development Committee examined the Game and Feral Animal Legislation Amendment (Conservation Hunting) Bill 2025. The Opposition has made clear our position on the Bill and will not be supporting it when it comes up for debate.

• Modern Slavery Committee - As part of my work on the Modern Slavery Committee, I participated in a hearing into the risks faced by temporary migrant workers in rural and regional NSW. We heard from Jenelle Joseph of Tanna Projects and Emelda Davis of Australian South Sea Islanders – Port Jackson, who highlighted both the life-changing benefits of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme and the vulnerabilities faced by disengaged workers. Key themes included the need for stronger cultural frameworks, greater transparency, and protections against exploitation.

• Animal Welfare Committee – The Committee released its Report into the Management of Cat Populations in NSW, which examined the impact of cat overpopulation on welfare, local councils, and native wildlife. The report made 10 recommendations, with a strong focus on large-scale desexing programs, humane fertility control, better support for rescue and rehoming organisations, and education to encourage voluntary cat containment.

National Police Remembrance Day 

On 29 September, we paused to mark National Police Remembrance Day, a solemn occasion to honour the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering service of police officers who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty. 

Our police officers serve on the front line every day, protecting our communities and often putting themselves in harm to keep others safe. Their dedication is extraordinary, and when the ultimate sacrifice is made, it leaves a lasting impact on families, colleagues, and the communities they served. 

National Police Remembrance Day is not only about reflection but also about gratitude. We acknowledge the men and women who continue to serve, wearing the uniform with pride and integrity. Their legacy lives on in the safer, stronger communities they helped build, and we will never forget their service or their dedication. 

Standing with our firefighters 

Firefighters also put themselves in harm every single day to protect our communities, running toward danger when others are running away. Beyond the immediate risks of fire and disaster, they are also exposed to toxic chemicals and carcinogens in smoke, building materials, and even their own equipment. This exposure leaves them with a significantly higher risk of contracting cancer. 

Back in 2018, the former Liberal–Nationals Government took action by legislating to recognise 12 site-specific cancers faced by firefighters, ensuring they and their families would not face the additional burden of proving that their diagnosis was linked to their work. 

Now, based on the best international research, we have successfully passed legislation in the Upper House to extend that recognition to a further nine cancers, including cancers of the female reproductive system. This is a vital step forward that spares firefighters and their families the stress and heartache of unnecessary legal battles at a time when they should be focusing on treatment and recovery. 

The next challenge is ensuring this Bill passes the Lower House. While the Minns Labor Government has attempted to stall its progress, the NSW Liberals and Nationals will continue to fight for its passage so that firefighters receive the recognition and support they deserve as soon as possible. 

No inquiry, no answers, Communities deserve better 

This month, the Minns Labor Government once again turned its back on patients by refusing to support an inquiry into the crisis facing Western Sydney hospitals. 

The stories are confronting: a mother left in a filthy hospital room at Mount Druitt that had not been cleaned, and a man waiting more than 40 hours in Blacktown Hospital’s emergency department before getting a bed. These are not isolated incidents. They reflect a system under immense pressure, where patients and families are left to carry the burden of delay, neglect, and uncertainty. 

Despite these revelations, Labor voted against the Opposition’s motion in the Legislative Council to establish an inquiry into Western Sydney health services. An inquiry would have provided transparency, accountability, and most importantly, a pathway to solutions. Instead, the Government has chosen to turn away from patients in need. 

As Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said, people in Western Sydney deserve better than a Premier who ignores their calls for improved healthcare. Shadow Western Sydney Minister Robyn Preston and Shadow Health Minister Kellie Sloane also made clear: sunlight is the best disinfectant. Without openness and accountability, the problems will only continue. 

These stories don’t just belong to Western Sydney. In our regions, many families can point to similar experiences, such as long waits in emergency rooms, delays in elective surgery, or facilities struggling to keep up with demand. Whether in Blacktown or Broken Hill, Mount Druitt or Moree, patients deserve timely care, safe facilities, and a government prepared to act. 

The Opposition will continue to stand with families across NSW to demand answers and push for the health system our communities deserve. 

Small Business suffer as Labor walks away from them

The latest Business NSW survey paints a stark picture of the pressures facing small business owners across the state. Rising costs, worker shortages, and mounting red tape are squeezing businesses harder than ever before. 

The findings are confronting: 

• 97% of businesses say they are struggling to lift productivity. 

• 65% identify rising costs as their biggest challenge. 

• 42% point to a lack of skilled labour. 

• 41% say regulatory demands are holding them back. 

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, employing almost half the private sector workforce and driving growth across NSW but right now, many are at breaking point. 

Despite these warnings, the Minns Labor Government has chosen to axe Business Connect, a program that Treasury’s own independent review found delivered $1.50 back to the economy for every $1 invested. In its decade of operation, it supported more than 60,000 businesses and helped create over 40,000 jobs. Business Connect was practical not theory, it was trusted advice that kept businesses afloat and people employed. 

Instead of restoring this proven program, Labor has found $7.9 million in the June Budget to establish a shooter-dominated hunting authority as part of a political deal with the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party. 

As Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said: 

“Costs are spiralling, pressures are at record levels, and people are stretched to breaking point, yet the Premier, Treasurer and Small Business Minister have doubled down on cutting a program that kept businesses alive and saved jobs.” 

Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope, Shadow Minister for Small Business Tim James, and Shadow Minister for Jobs, Industry and Innovation Mark Coure echoed the same concern: this Government’s priorities are all wrong. Instead of backing local industries and job creation, Labor is leaving small businesses to fend for themselves. 

The Liberals and Nationals remain committed to restoring Business Connect because fewer closures, more jobs, and stronger communities depend on it. 

With the Government cutting this vital service, I am seeking your feedback. I encourage all small business owners to complete the survey and make it clear that Business Connect should be reinstated. Your voice matters the more responses we receive, the stronger the case we can make to Government. 

Standing up for Fair Workers Compensation 

Workers compensation protects the livelihoods and welfare of employees when they are injured at work, it supports the viability of small businesses, and upholds the integrity of our public systems. Any reform to this scheme cannot be rushed, it must be fair, transparent, and evidence-based.

Two nearly identical Government workers compensation bills are currently being examined by the Public Accountability and Works Committee. The NSW Opposition supports sensible, sustainable reform, however, we cannot back changes that would cut off support to people suffering severe psychological injuries sustained in the workplace.

Reform should focus on ensuring claims are genuine, processed appropiately, and handled fairly, not shutting the door on those who need help the most. 

That is why we have proposed practical amendments that would: 

• Scrap the Government’s harsh 31% impairment threshold for psychological injuries. 

• Deliver cost savings through smarter measures like tightening vague claim definitions. 

• Retain independent medical assessments with the Personal Injury Commission. 

• Maintain Parliamentary oversight of injury assessments. 

• Ensure private sector premiums are not used to subsidise public sector disputes. 

At the same time, the Minns Labor Government is using the challenges of workers compensation reform as an excuse to cut other vital programs, including Business Connect, being shut down from 30 September 2025. 

The Opposition will continue to fight for fair and balanced workers compensation reform, while calling on the Government to immediately reinstate the $10 million per year Business Connect program so that workers and small businesses alike get the support they need.  

Best wishes to Year 12 and IB students

As year 12 students and those completing their International Baccalaureate approach their final exams and graduation, I want to wish you every success. 

This is an exciting and sometimes challenging time; it can feel defining, but remember, it does not define you. What matters most are the choices you make and the opportunities you embrace along the way. 

Make great choices, back yourselves, and know that your future holds endless possibilities. 

Dementia Week - ‘nobody can do it alone’

In Australia, an estimated 433,300 people live with dementia, including nearly 29,000 diagnosed before age 65, and around 1,500 children with childhood dementia.  

Sadly, many experience social isolation and stigma, with almost half reporting that people treat them differently or stop keeping in touch after diagnosis. Caregivers also face emotional challenges, with over 96% saying their role is demanding, and more than half feeling isolated.

Building dementia-friendly communities helps reduce stigma, encourages early help-seeking, and supports people to remain active and included for longer.  

EmergencyRedi Week (15–21 September)

The Australian Red Cross latest research statistics reveals that while 90% of Australians have experienced an emergency or disaster, only 35% feel adequately prepared. Many still believe emergencies “won’t happen to me,” leading to a dangerous gap in readiness, especially among Millennials, who cite time and anxiety as barriers. 

Red Cross-National Resilience Director Nichola Krey warns, “Extreme weather events can happen anywhere in Australia,” urging everyone to take proactive steps. Community-led programs have shown how local teams can boost preparedness and response through risk assessments and clear communication. 

Follow the link below to test how prepared you are for an emergency. 

Daylight saving reminder!

This Sunday, 5 October 2025, at 2am AEST, clocks move forward one hour to 3am. Enjoy an extra house of daylight in the evening!

Looking ahead!

Whether it’s in Parliament, through Committee work, or out in the community, I remain committed to being your voice for Country North and across NSW. 

Our state’s strength lies in the courage of its people, small business owners, carers, farmers, and young leaders who show up every day. Together, we can build a future where every child is supported, every family is heard, and every community thrives. 

 Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter so you don’t miss any updates! 

Thank you & stay connected!

As always, thank you for taking the time to read this update. Whether it’s through Parliament, Committee work, or community visits, I remain committed to being your voice and advocate for regional NSW.

If you are hosting a local event, running a small business, part of a community group, or just want to chat about an issue that matters to you, please reach out. I love getting out and about across the Country North Province and would be delighted to attend or assist where I can.

Let’s keep working together to build stronger, fairer, and more connected communities across our great state.

Aileen MacDonald MLC  

Shadow Minister for Youth Justice  

Province Representative for Country North, NSW.

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