In Dubbo I shared the news that the Federal Government will back the development of a residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility in Dubbo with $3 million. The funding is part of a $5 million capital works project proposed by Dubbo Regional Council, which will establish a 15-bed rehabilitation facility, and an eight-bed withdrawal and detox facility. Drug and alcohol misuse can be all-too-common, and Dubbo is not exempt from these issues. This type of facility will go a long way to help those in the community who are struggling and I look forward to seeing the plans further evolve.
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It was great to welcome Federal Minister for Regional Services, The Hon Bridget McKenzie, to my electorate on Friday. We visited Narrabri and Gunnedah, where we congratulated local councils on their success in receiving further funding under the Drought Communities Programme (DCP). Gunnedah Shire Council will also receive $17,000 towards a harvest festival to be held next year, thanks to the Building Better Regions Fund. The Minister joined me in attending PCYC Gunnedah's official opening of their renovated OOSH space on Friday, which will allow more local families to access the sought-after service.
Wage subsidy
A total of 22 businesses in the Parkes electorate are eligible for the $60 million Australian Apprenticeships Wage Subsidy trial, in areas including Bourke, Condobolin, Coonabarabran, Dubbo, Gunnedah, Moree, Narrabri and Wongarbon. This trial commenced on 1 January this year and offers employers subsidies worth 75 per cent of the apprentice's award wage in the first year, 50 per cent in the second year and 25 per cent in the third year. Small business plays a vital role in my electorate, and through this incentive we can work towards securing the skills needed for rural and regional businesses to remain competitive, and give employees new opportunities. More information about this trial is available at www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/publications/australian-apprentice-wage-subsidy
Warm welcome
The Coalition Government has a new campaign to attract more working holiday makers to Australia, helping to support our farmers and boost regional tourism.
This is good news for the Parkes electorate, which has a great reputation in New South Wales as a top destination for working holiday makers - but more can be done to convince working holiday makers to pack their bags and head to Western NSW.
Working holiday makers are critical to filling short-term workforce shortages in regional areas, and boosting local economies. This campaign 'Australia Inc' is aimed at demonstrating how living and working in Australia will make young people stand out from the crowd when they return home. It will run through the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
