Your Federal Member's Community Update

October 29, 2026

Stop the Regional Data Centre Takeover

I recently travelled out to Stubbo near Gulgong, where Firmus wants to build a massive data centre that will use the electricity equivalent to hundreds of thousands of homes.

This is just the tip of the spear as these colossal projects roll out across our country communities with zero local say.

Billionaires are getting rich while lumping our communities with skyrocketing power and water bills, threats to productive agricultural land, and a total lack of protection to our environment and precious water supplies.

That is why I've introduced the AI Kill Switch and Data Centre Control Bill.

This crucial legislation is vital for regional Australia:

It places an immediate moratorium and statutory ban on the roll-out of these mega data centres.

It freezes development in its tracks until our parliaments, laws, and local councils can finally catch up, pass the necessary laws and give local communities a genuine say over their own futures.

We need to protect our way of life before it's too late.

Australian National Field Days - an outstanding success!

I spent a brilliant day attending the official opening of the 2026 Australian National Field Days in Borenore!

Huge congratulations to the incredible committee members, exhibitors and volunteers, including Field Days Chair Kerry Wickson, Manager Jayne West, Bree McMinn and Margot Connors for bringing together such a vibrant showcase of regional innovation, community spirit, and agricultural excellence.

I was able to catch up with Oberon Mayor Andrew McKibbin at this a fantastic regional event. We couldn't resist stopping for a photo with these giant kangaroos!

Agriculture remains the beating heart of our region, contributing over $80 billion to the national economy and events like this remind us just how vital it is to support and celebrate our farmers, producers and rural communities.

Congratulations to Nina Pikul took out the Ivan Kingham Award for Education Excellence through her Agriculture studies.

Ferrero Celebrates 50 Years in Lithgow!

From the Italian town of Alba to our own Lithgow, Ferrero's story is one of family, opportunity and community.

Opening here in 1976 as Ferrero's first factory outside Europe, the plant became a manufacturing home for Nutella and Tic Tacs, and an important part of the lives of many local families.

It's an extraordinary partnership between Ferrero and Lithgow and also Italy and Australia that is still going strong after half a century.

The plant has just had a multi-million dollar upgrade and now focuses on meeting the surging demand for Nutella - exporting it all over the Asia Pacific region.

It was wonderful to celebrate the big 50 with the people behind that success, alongside overseas visitors who travelled to share this special milestone.

Special congratulations to Shane and Gary on 25 years of service each, and to everyone recognised for their service milestones!

Behind every product and every milestone are people who care about their work and their town.

To the Ferrero team, past and present, and the families behind them - thank you for 50 years of hard work, ingenuity and heart. Here's to the next 50!

No Place for Political Violence

Our communities are in shock over the horrific, vicious and targeted attack on Helen Haines, the Federal Member for Indi.

Violence in all its forms must be repudiated and condemned. It has no place in Australian political life and it's extremely concerning that threats and violence against political representatives are increasing.

Our thoughts are with Helen, her family, staff and community in this deeply traumatic time.

BLAYNEY MINE DECISION - A WIN FOR COMMON SENSE

The Federal Court has handed down a decision declaring the Section 10 heritage protection order over the McPhillamy's Gold Project, near Blayney, to be invalid.

This decision is a win for Regis, it's a win for common sense and it's a shocking debacle for the federal government.

The Federal Court has struck down the declaration, confirming what many in our local community knew from day one: that the assessment process was deeply flawed, secretive, and completely mishandled by Canberra.

The Court found that the government made key procedural errors, including failing to refer crucial information back to a government reporter for consideration and consultation before making the Section 10 order.

This judgment is a damning indictment of government decision making. We now need a full explanation from the government about what went on here and why proper processes weren't followed. Governments should not be above the law or accountability.

It's an absolute disgrace that it took a Federal Court judge and tens of millions of dollars in legal fees to point out the glaringly obvious lack of transparency that has plagued this entire process from the very beginning.

I have long called for urgent law reform to this area to make decisions faster, more open and transparent and with proper accountability. How can dragging parties through an unbelievably expensive and lengthy court battle benefit anyone?

This ruling breathes fresh life back into the McPhillamy's project which would be a massive boost to the economic life of the region and bring a whole lot of jobs and investment. It would be huge for Blayney and the Central West.

The ball is now firmly back in the court of Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt who has to start the whole process all over again.

All I can say is that there had better not be a repeat of this complete and utter shambles.

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