Premier Chris Minns has recalled Parliament next Monday and Tuesday to discuss emergency changes to firearms laws.
My stance is the current laws are sufficient and don’t need changing and the gun laws are not to blame for the terrorist attack at Bondi on Sunday.
Like all Australians, I’m absolutely appalled and heartbroken by the horrific act of terrorism in Bondi. My thoughts are with the innocent victims and their families.
Emmaville Golf Club funding
The sum of $35,090 was secured from the Community Building Partnership program for the Emmaville Golf Club to level out a very eroded gully.
Keeping our sporting facilities in small communities up to scratch is very important. They are such a key part of the make-up of these villages and provide a social and physical outlet for locals.
Lights On at UNE
A total of $425,000 from the Level the Playing Field program was secured to install new lights at Bellevue Oval in Armidale.
The lights were officially lit up on Tuesday night and they are fantastic. The ground is home to the New England Nomads AFL team and Armidale City UNE cricket team.
The grant program is aimed at ensuring women and girls have access to safe and inclusive sport and recreation facilities and the brighter, modern lighting will create a safer, more visible space around the ground, helping encourage greater participation.
It is excellent to see upgrades to sporting facilities and there’s already plans in place to capitalise on the improvements.
Over the past few weeks Brendan Moylan has managed to attend 13 school presentations which, he says, are a great opportunity to chat with students, staff and parents.
Police start work in the Northern Tablelands
Six new probationary constables have started their careers across the region this week.
Moree secured four new officers while Inverell and Armidale have one each.
Congratulations and thank you to the six officers who will begin their careers in the Northern Tablelands. It is a challenging career and I applaud them for taking this path in their professional lives.
Penny Sharpe visit
Minister for Climate Change, Energy, Heritage and the Environment, Penny Sharpe, accepted my invitation to visit Walcha farmers on Thursday to hear their concerns about the proposed transmission route which goes through their properties.
Landholders, along with myself, attended and provided the Minister with plenty of information to consider.
This allowed the impacted farmers to speak directly to the decision maker, and we will wait to hear from the Minister with her thoughts in 2026.
Kingstown pre-school
A $89,335 grant has been secured for Kingstown Pre-School to increase the number of days of operation from two to three per week. The funding has come from the NSW Government’s Flexible Initiatives trial program and will make a huge difference to the small community of Kingstown.
School presentations
It has been excellent to get to many school presentations this year.
There has been some amazing results across the board and I would like the opportunity to congratulate and thank all staff, students and their parents for a great year.
This year I got to Clontarf Moree, PLC’s sports dinner, Macintyre High School, Uralla Central School, Inverell High School, Glen Innes High School, Bundarra Central School, Armidale City Public School, Armidale Secondary College, O’Connor Catholic College, Rocky River Public School, Kelly’s Plains Public School and Tingha Public School.
I would also like to pay tribute to Mrs Sue O’Brien who passed away recently. Her funeral was held on Tuesday. Mrs O’Brien was a much-loved pillar of the Holy Trinity School, Inverell community.
Oxley Highway
The weekly full road closures on the Oxley Highway have stopped and won’t be happening throughout the Christmas holiday period. This is fantastic news for Walcha businesses.
Although access has been restored, there are still sections of 60km/h reduced speed limits and single lane alternating traffic flow. Please drive safe and drive to the conditions.
EnergyCo survey
EnergyCo have opened up a survey inviting community feedback on the New England Renewable Energy Zone.
It is a relatively simple survey and takes around 10 minutes to complete Survey submissions close at 11:59pm Friday 20 February 2026.
Details here EnergyCo survey Rez New England Feedback.
Youth Parliament
Applications for the Youth Parliament program are now open to young people who are entering years 10, 11 and 12 in 2026.
Youth Parliament empowers young people to represent their community in the NSW Youth Parliament.
If chosen as a youth representative, participants have the option to represent their electorate in the Lower House or represent NSW as a member of the Upper House. They also receive a portfolio and can write a Youth Bill that addresses in the community.
The training camp will be in Sydney in April. For more information and how to apply, visit Community Services Youth Parliament.
Applications are open now and close on Sunday, 4 January.
Please contact my office for a letter of support.
Legal Aid Seniors Diary
The very popular and free Legal Aid Seniors Diary is back for 2026.
It is full of useful tips and legal information on avoiding scams, goods and services, driving and fines, Elder abuse, money and Centrelink, and much more.
The Seniors Diary features a calendar, important dates and puts legal information in an understandable and easy-to-read format.
I encourage seniors across the region to secure their copy. The 2026 Seniors Aid Legal Diaries are free but limited to two per household. It is available by contacting the Armidale, Moree and Inverell electorate offices.
The diary’s cover features artwork by Aboriginal artist Shelby-Rae Lyons.
ePetition for the rejection of the new transmission line corridor
Anna Young from Walcha has launched a Parliamentary ePetition which opposes the re-routed transmission corridor from Bayswater to Walcha.
It needs 20,000 to be debated in Parliament. To view and sign, visit ePetition Transmission Corridor from Bayswater to Walcha.
Electorate office closures
The Armidale, Moree and Inverell electorate offices will be shut from Friday, December 19 and will re-open on Monday, January 12.
Merry Christmas
I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Stay safe over the holiday period. I would also like to thank our dedicated essential workers who work tirelessly to keep us safe over the holiday period.
Christmas lunches
Inverell: Food For The Soul projects free Christmas takeaway meal on Christmas Eve at 35 Vivian Street (behind the Salvation Army Church Hall). Registration required (meals are limited) – Zoe Hannam 0432 215 323 or via the Food For The Soul Facebook page.
Armidale: Armidale Uniting Church Christmas Day lunch. From 11.30am with cold meats of ham and chicken, salads, ice-cream, pavlova and pudding. Dietary requirements catered for. Contact: xmasdaylunch@outlook.com
Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands
