Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton spoke in opposition to Labor’s live sheep export ban in Parliament last week.
I’d like to congratulate the arts organisations within the Parkes electorate that have received funding through the Federal Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support Program.
Arts Out West Incorporated has received $103,000 to provide visual arts services to Indigenous artists in the Central West, including Lachlan Shire.
Arts North West Incorporated has received $102,000 to deliver assistance to Indigenous artists in the New England and North West – including Gunnedah, Gwydir, Moree and Narrabri shires – to participate in marketing and professional development opportunities.
Outback Arts Incorporated has received $80,000 to provide visual arts services to Indigenous artists and engage Indigenous arts workers based in far western NSW – including Bourke, Brewarrina, Bogan, Coonamble, Walgett and Warren shires – through the Living Arts and Culture Program.
NSW Aboriginal Culture Heritage and Arts Association Incorporated has received $135,000 to deliver business development, professional development and advocacy to its visual arts hub membership network – including Bourke Aboriginal Art Gallery, Brewarrina Aboriginal Cultural Museum, Dharriwaa Elders Group (Walgett) and the Wiradjuri Study Centre (Condobolin) – and Indigenous visual artists across New South Wales, as well as engage an Indigenous arts worker.
The Parkes electorate is home to some incredible Indigenous artists and I’m pleased that they’ll benefit from this funding.
Last week in Parliament I had the opportunity to speak in opposition of Labor’s live sheep export ban which unfortunately passed the House of Representatives.
Not only will this ban have devastating consequences for the entire sheep industry in Australia, but it will decimate rural communities and impact our overseas customers just so those in the leafy suburbs can feel good about saving the animals when they have absolutely no idea about the industry.
As someone who has spent most of my life working in the livestock industry, I can tell you that there’s no one who cares more about the welfare of animals than farmers.
Australia has one of the highest standards when it comes to animal welfare and if this bill goes through, it will only shift supply to other countries that do not have these same standards.
Senior students from the Parkes electorate have an exciting opportunity to shine a national spotlight on the issues that matter most to them by taking part in the ‘My First Speech’ Competition.
This national competition challenges students in years 10, 11 and 12 to envision themselves as newly elected Members of the House of Representatives and record a 90-second speech on video, focusing on a topic of their choosing.
The winning entrant from each year group, accompanied by a parent or guardian, will be flown to Canberra to deliver their speeches live at Parliament House and participate in an engaging program tailored to deepen their understanding of the legislative process.
This competition is a wonderful way for our next generation of community leaders to have a say in our national parliament and I encourage all enthusiastic students in the Parkes electorate to give it a go.
Entries close at 11.59pm AEST on 27 July 2024. To learn more about the competition and submit their entries, students can visit the website: www.aph.gov.au/myfirstspeech.
For further information and inquiries regarding the competition, please contact my office by emailing mark.coulton.mp@aph.gov.au.
