Your Federal Member's Community Update

August 27, 2026

$100 MILLION FROM FEDS ON GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY – EXTRA LANE A WIN FOR PEOPLE POWER!

Make no mistake, the federal government's announcement of $100 million in funding for an extra lane on the convict bridge is a win for people power.

The only reason this funding has been made available is through relentless community pressure and campaigning.

While this is positive news for the communities of the Central West, the job's not done. Tragically, we still have local businesses closing their doors and going broke because of this ongoing debacle.

While we welcome the news of an extra lane, the business support package announced by the New South Wales government is hopelessly inadequate. We need federal funding for it. For example, I was recently at a local Hotel at Bowenfels, where business is down by 60%.

What we need is an ongoing business support package like we had with JobKeeper during COVID. Our businesses need this state and federal government support now.

The pressure is not stopping here with this announcement. We also want federal and state funding for a long-term plan for high-speed access to Sydney, so our communities never have to go through this hell again.

I want to thank all of our communities for their tireless advocacy on this issue.

The federal government sent out a media alert for this announcement a couple of hours after I asked the Prime Minister about it in Question Time, and sadly, only state and federal government MPs were invited to attend at Mount Victoria.

Politics, politics - they don't call it the sandstone curtain for nothing.

Rest assured, the campaign for the support our communities need and deserve will not cease.

GOVERNMENT FAILS ON FULL BAN ON ALL GAMBLING ADS

In Parliament during the recent sitting week, I voted AGAINST the government's weak, compromised half-measures on gambling advertising.

I'm not against gambling and enjoy the odd punt, but gambling addiction destroys lives, wrecks families, and hollows out regional communities across the Central West and Australia.

Between July 2023 and July 2026, Australians lost a staggering $666 MILLION every single week.

So why didn't the major parties pass a FULL ban?

Follow the money.

All the major parties collect millions in gambling-related donations.

As an Independent, I'm not beholden to major party bosses or big gambling donors. My priority is the people I represent.

We need to implement all 31 recommendations of the landmark Murphy report - a full, complete ban on online gambling advertising.

We did it with smoking advertising, due to the harm it was causing - the same should have been done with gambling advertising to protect our kids and vulnerable Australians.

It's time to put people ahead of profits!

KEEPING CA$H KING!

Most Australians believe that if our notes and coins are legal tender, then it must be accepted everywhere. Amazingly, that's not the case! All a business has to do is put up a sign saying they don't accept cash, and they don't have to.

There are so many reasons people rely on cash every day:

Budgeting
Backup during mobile and Wi-Fi outages
Privacy
Avoiding frustrating surcharges
For emergency situations

Many in our communities are deeply concerned that cash is being phased out. I recently introduced legislation in Parliament to keep Cash King in Australia.

After I introduced my Keeping Cash Transactions in Australia Bill during the last Parliament, the Government introduced its own cash mandate. But it falls well short - only applying to major supermarkets and petrol stations for transactions under $500!

This week on Parliament I again introduced legislation for a cash mandate of $10,000 for businesses doing face-to-face transactions.

Unfortunately, when it came to a vote, all the major parties - Labor, Nationals, Liberals and One Nation - failed to support my legislation.

Rest assured, I will not be letting this issue rest.

I will keep up the fight to protect your right to use cash and keep cash king!

Honouring Service and Sacrifice

A heartfelt thank you to all our Vietnam veterans.

I was honoured to attend a very moving service at Vietnam Veterans' Park in Bathurst, commemorating the service and sacrifice of those who served in the Vietnam War.

Once again, the team at the Bathurst RSL Sub Branch did a wonderful job organising this significant commemoration for our district, followed by morning tea with veterans and their families.

Lest We Forget.

GRANTS

Building Digital Skills Grant

Funding: $3,000 – $20,500 | Closes 4 September 2026

This grant supports organisations to deliver free Be Connected digital literacy programs for older Australians. Funding can help community groups, libraries, neighbourhood centres and other organisations provide training that builds confidence using computers, smartphones and online services.

MORE INFORMATION: my.goodthingsaustralia.org

Music Australia International Conference Contribution

Up to $5,000 | Closes 9 September 2026

Supports Australian music professionals and music businesses to attend international conferences, build industry connections and develop export opportunities.

MORE INFORMATION: https://creative.gov.au/music-australia/investments-opportunities

Authorised by Andrew Gee, MP, Suite 1/179A Anson Street, Orange NSW 2800