I believe in order for that to continue, the Medicare co-payment is vitally important. 

The payment has been reduced from $7 to $5, and will not be imposed on those least able to afford it, including pensioners, Commonwealth concession cardholders, children under 16 and a range of others. 

Unfortunately, Medicare continues to grow at an unsustainable rate, currently costing the government $20 billion a year, with the Medicare levy only collecting half of that - $10 billion.

If we had kept heading down Labor’s reckless path of continuing to offer everything to everybody for free, then Medicare would have come under serious threat. 

I strongly believe to ensure Australia continues to have access to affordable, world-class healthcare then $5 is a small price to pay.

THE votes are in and I’d like to congratulate Sandra Skinner and the team at Gaga’s Cafe Food and Restaurant who have been voted Calare’s top small business.

Through November we ran a Shop Small Month campaign which provided residents an opportunity to recognise their favourite small business - and with nearly 100 businesses in the electorate receiving votes, the campaign was a success. 

Gaga’s Cafe Food and Restaurant in Forbes were the overall winners, a fantastic achievement considering they’ve only been operating for a few months.

We had a tie for second place, with Real Estate Solutions in Parkes and Central Wellness Centre from Bathurst both receiving good support. Other winners included Blayney Corner Store (Blayney), Sargent’s Rural Supplies (Oberon), Molong Pharmacy (Cabonne), Naturally by Kelley (Lithgow) and Mane Man’s Barber Shop (Orange).

I’d like to thank all the fantastic business chambers and associations, along with the local media, who helped promote the campaign and don’t forget to shop small this Christmas - your local small businesses need our support.

AS the end of the year draws closer, I’ve spent the past couple of weeks attending end-of-year functions with some of the region’s small schools. 

I know how important the schools are in the community so it’s been great to visit St Joseph’s at Peak Hill, Wallerawang Public School, Rockley Public School, Neville Primary School and Bowen Public School in the past week. 

The teachers and students at these schools and all schools in Calare continue to excel and I’d like to wish all year 6 students about to join high school all the very best for their future endeavors.