Politics and Government

Proposed default speed limit cut an insult: MP

A proposal to slash speed limits on rural roads in poor condition has been described as an insult to country residents and the councils who serve them by Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey. A regulatory impact assessment currently open for...

Forbes Advocate >

12 hours ago

Politics and Government

Matters of State with Phil Donato

EUGOWRA – FUNDED FOR GROWTHLast week NSW Premier Chris Minns MP on behalf of Minister Tara Moriarty MLC, responded to my question in Parliament regarding consideration for funding Cabonne Council’s initiative to develop residential land –...

Forbes Advocate >

12 hours ago

Politics and Government

Matters of State with MP Phil Donato

FUNDING FOR LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENTThe NSW Government has now opened the 2025/2026 Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program. This program aims to improve safety at community sport by increasing access to life-saving equipment. Eligible sport and active...

Forbes Advocate >

19 Oct 2025

Politics and Government

Matters of State with MP Phil Donato

Forbes Advocate >

19 Oct 2025

Politics and Government

Chaffey’s Corner: Regional Australia paying energy transition cost

In the wake of the Labor Government’s announcement of its 2035 emissions target, I feel I must respond as a farmer and as the Member for Parkes. Since my earliest days of campaigning, I have heard desperate pleas for help from people who live on the...

Forbes Advocate >

19 Oct 2025

Politics and Government

Future of regional news receives bipartisan political support

MP calls for urgent action on implementation of News Media Assistance Program

Forbes Advocate >

22 Sep 2025

Politics and Government

Students invited to take a seat at National Youth Parliament in 2026

The National Youth Parliament will take young adults to Canberra next year

Forbes Advocate >

15 Sep 2025

Politics and Government

Chaffey’s Corner: Roads, renewables and future parliamentarians

By JAMIE CHAFFEY, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR PARKESLast week, I shared with Parliament the frustration experienced by councils throughout the Parkes electorate with securing roads funding for roads network that have repeatedly been hit by floods. Narrabri...

Forbes Advocate >

07 Sep 2025

Politics and Government

From classroom to Canberra: High schoolers urged to speak up

The floor is yours. Students across the Parkes electorate are being challenged to imagine their first day as a Member of Parliament and deliver a 90-second speech on the issues that matter. The winners get to take their words all the way to...

Forbes Advocate >

24 Aug 2025

Politics and Government

Chaffey’s Corner: Roads, renewables and future parliamentarians

Forbes Advocate >

07 Sep 2025

Politics and Government

From classroom to Canberra: High schoolers urged to speak up

Forbes Advocate >

24 Aug 2025

Politics and Government

Highway patrol in heavy vehicle crackdown

Police have charged 12 people following a crackdown on heavy vehicles during a five-day police operation in and around Forbes and Parkes. Operation Convoy was launched from Monday, 11 August by officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command...

Forbes Advocate >

24 Aug 2025

Politics and Government

Chaffey steps up to serve Parkes

In his first speech to Parliament on 30 July, Federal Member for Parkes and Assistant Shadow Minister for both Agriculture and Resources Jamie Chaffey has pledged to serve the electorate of Parkes. Mr Chaffey spoke about his upbringing in regional...

Mid West Media >

10 Aug 2025

Politics and Government

Donato’s Matters of State: Sports grants now open

Boost for budding nursesIt was a pleasure to welcome Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan to our electorate last week to announce a major upgrade for our Diploma of Nursing students and their teachers. Funding of $635,000 will...

Contributed Article >

27 Jul 2025

Politics and Government

Chaffey’s Corner: Welcome to vast new region

This is my first column as the Federal Member for Parkes, an electorate that covers more than 400,000 square kilometres of New South Wales. It’s an area bigger than Japan, Germany, or even Great Britain. I follow in the footsteps of some great...

Contributed Article >

27 Jul 2025

Politics and Government

Deadline extended, farmers urged to have say on land management code

Call to action leads to a win for farmers

Mid West Media >

21 Jul 2025

Politics and Government

Good news for Forbes in budget

By PHIL DONATO, STATE MEMBER FOR ORANGEForbes Hospital theatre upgradeFollowing a tour of Forbes Hospital and its ageing theatre with Health Minister Ryan Park last year, I made the funding of a new operating theatre a high priority request for this...

Mid West Media >

13 Jul 2025

Politics and Government

Flood funding welcome

Critical water and sewer infrastructure destroyed by floods has received State funding, but the Recovery Minister says she’s “still on the case” for a resilient land package to develop flood-free land for housing in Cabonne. Cabonne Council and...

Mid West Media >

06 Jul 2025

Politics and Government

Police petition, workers compensation legislation on agenda

POLICE MINISTER RESPONDS TO FORBES’ PETITIONNSW Minister for Police, The Hon. Yasmin Catley MP, has now responded to the Forbes Neighbourhood Watch’s petition, which called for a 24-hour manned police station at Forbes, to reduce crime in the...

Mid West Media >

29 Jun 2025

Politics and Government

Minister says no to increased policing hours

There are no plans to changed the manned hours at Forbes Police Station, the NSW Police Minister has said in formal response to a 2760-strong petition for an increased and 24-hour police presence in the town. Forbes has 24-hour police coverage...

Mid West Media >

22 Jun 2025

Politics and Government

Hard work will continue, says reelected Gee

There has been a 54 per cent swing towards Andrew Gee in Eugowra as the Independent retains the seat of Calare in the Federal election. Thanking supporters and communities on Monday morning, Mr Gee said the work of fighting for the region would now...

Mid West Media >

11 May 2025

Politics and Government

Land and people our common interest: Candidates

The unsuccessful candidates who ran for the seat of Parkes this federal election have tipped their hats to an enjoyable and respectful campaign. Libertarian candidate Sally Edwards and Labor candidate Nathan Fell conceded defeat in the days following...

Christine Little >

18 May 2025

Politics and Government

Change in how some voted in Parkes, Forbes

Some voting booths in the towns of Parkes and Forbes saw a considerable shift in first preferences this federal election, particularly away from who people have traditionally voted for in the past. For Parkes the swing was against the Nationals and...

Christine Little >

18 May 2025

Politics and Government

Chaffey retains seat for Nationals

Jamie Chaffey has retained the seat of Parkes for the Nationals. While Labor candidate Nathan Fell recorded a 5.19 per cent swing in Saturday’s federal election, Mr Chaffey and the Nationals had almost 63 per cent of the two-candidate preferred...

Christine Little >

11 May 2025

Politics and Government

JE vaccine free in Forbes LGA

By PHILIP DONATO MEMBER FOR ORANGEFREE ACCESS TO JE VACCINENSW Health is further expanding and simplifying free access the Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine to ensure residents are protected as the mosquito season continues. In NSW, A Japanese...

Mid West Media >

11 May 2025

Politics and Government

Pre poll opens at Town Hall Saturday

Local pre-polling in the Federal election opens this Saturday 26 April. Those needing to cast their votes ahead of election day, Saturday 3 May, can attend the Forbes Town Hall from 9am Saturday. The Town Hall polling centre is open: Saturday 26...

Mid West Media >

04 May 2025

Politics and Government

Chaffey backs greater support for families, businesses

2025 Federal Election advertorialJamie Chaffey The Nationals candidate for ParkesWe know Parkes is by far the biggest federal electorate in NSW, with some of the most isolated communities in the country. With Mark Coulton MP retiring at the next...

Mid West Media >

04 May 2025