Local news for local people
Your Federal Member's Community
Update
October 1, 2026
TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO CONTROL ROGUE AI!
It was revealed recently that an autonomous OpenAI agent had gone rogue and hacked into Australia’s Medicare statistics portal, yet the tech giant had failed to notify the Australian Government for nearly three months.
I caught up with James Allen, from a local Central West Data and Security business to discuss the urgent threat posed by advanced AI and why we need strict guardrails and a kill switch NOW.
When AI goes rogue, the threat is all too real.
Whether it's breaches to critical health systems, threats to our national security, or worst-case scenarios, humans must retain the ability to hit the kill switch and pull the plug.
Under my proposed AI Kill Switch and Data Centre Control Bill, critical security incidents like this would have to be reported by tech giants to the Australian Government within 24 hours.
Why was there such a delay in OpenAI telling the government and the government then telling us?
Why aren’t we throwing the book at this tech giant which has hacked into a key government agency instead of just telling them it’s "unacceptable".
The window to act is rapidly closing.
We owe it to our kids, our grandkids, and the future of the world to take control before advanced AI takes control of us.
VINNIES OBERON VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Fantastic catching up with volunteers Chris Joy and Kerry Gibbons at the Vinnies store in Oberon recently.
Kerry even put me straight to work helping him move a wardrobe!
This incredibly dedicated team of eight volunteers does outstanding work supporting those doing it tough in our community.
They are currently looking for more volunteers to lend a helping hand - some volunteers here are in their late eighties - so if you have some time to give, please reach out to them.
I was really disappointed to hear some people are leaving rubbish disguised as donations, which is really disrespectful.
Thank you to Chris, Kerry and the entire team for your tireless service.
HELPING HANDS AT OBERON LIFE-CHURCH CARE
Fantastic to meet with Suellen, Arthur and Andrew at the Oberon Life-Church Care Op Shop and Food Pantry recently!
They do an incredible job supporting the community through their food pantry and op shop, providing practical assistance to people doing it tough.
During my visit, I also heard about a fundraising auction that was held to help raise funds for a new trailer. The trailer will assist the organisation with collections and deliveries, making it easier for volunteers to support those in need across the community.
A huge thank you to everyone who donated items, attended the auction or contributed to its success. Community support like this helps ensure the Op Shop and Food Pantry can continue their valuable work for years to come.
THE BRUTAL BOWSER SQUEEZE ON OUR REGION
In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, all families,
seniors, farmers, businesses and transport operators across the
Central West are facing another brutal financial squeeze at the
pump.
This is appalling for our country communities and the Federal Government needs to take immediate action and slash the fuel excise tax.
They've done it before and there is no excuse for being so slow to act now - other than wanting to keep pocketing extra tax revenue while country people suffer.
The Federal Government must face reality and build genuine sovereign fuel and fertilizer capability, sourcing and refining fuel right here and manufacturing our own fertilizer in Australia.
Slashing the fuel tax isn't the only step that's needed.
We've also got to bring back fuel price controls to stop the price gouging that we all know exists.
At the start of this crisis, I introduced my ‘Fair fuel price’ bill into parliament. It would bring back World War II style fuel price controls, giving the Federal Government the power to set and regulate prices at the bowser during major international conflicts.
It worked during World War II and it would work again now. It would give households, small businesses and farmers confidence that fuel prices won't just keep heading north.
Unbelievably, neither Labor, the Liberals, the Nationals or One Nation supported my bill - and look where we are now.
It's country people who are being hit the hardest. We have no choice but to drive long distances for work, school, medical appointments, businesses and even basic necessities.
When fuel costs surge, it hits everything on the back of a truck, pushing up freight costs and driving up the price of groceries for every family in the Central West.
We need the Federal Government to slash the fuel tax, bring back petrol price controls and give regional Australia real fuel price relief.
I intend to reintroduce my fair fuel price bill into parliament and will keep pushing it until the major parties finally see common sense.
Diesel in some places has now hit $3 a litre and it's still going up.
The Government must act and bring these prices under control now.
Authorised by Andrew Gee, MP, Suite 1/179A Anson Street, Orange NSW 2800
