As Farrer’s local federal MP I am really looking forward to 2018 being a period of further delivery to our electorate.

Specific to rural Australia, policy and economic development programs such as the Building Better Regions & Stronger Communities Funds will continue over the next 12 months.

There will be more mobile phone towers going live, ready to cover local communication blackspots, together with the nbn rollout – delivering important 21st century technology to nearly 70,000 homes and businesses cross Farrer.

Critical to our region is the ongoing Murray Darling Basin Plan – I remain publicly committed to the Plan occurring on time, but absolutely ensuring consultation, common sense and rational thinking is applied to its delivery.

Reducing cost of living pressures is also a key goal for our government this year.

We’ve already worked very hard to reduce domestic power bills – if you haven’t done so already can I encourage you to jump on online or pick up the phone to get a better deal – go to energymadeeasy.gov.au.

We also continue to deliver tax cuts and job creation incentives for small businesses, deliver on local road and rail projects, and allocate record spending amounts to NSW in both education and health.

There is so much to look forward to – as always if you have any comments or questions, please do not hesitate to get in contact.

This coming March we are also planning to stage the 2nd Farrer Food Fair at Parliament House in Canberra – a chance to once again highlight the magnificent food and wine that comes from the many growers and producers in our region.

If you would like to get involved, all the details can be found via this link.

There is still plenty of summer to come, so if you are lucky enough to be near a pool or inland waterway, a reminder to be extra watchful of young children, and also alert visitors of the risks posed when swimming in local rivers, dams or creeks.

Best wishes for the rest of this holiday season – and here’s to a wonderful 2018.