Late last month I spoke in Parliament about the importance of prioritising the needs of the Orange area in terms of transport.
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So far no tangible improvements for passenger rail transport have been planned or delivered for the community of Orange by this Government, which is why the community resorted to harvesting 10,000 signatures to petition this to Parliament House.
I applaud the efforts of those involved and have once again stressed to the Government the reasonable needs of our electorate in having improved passenger rail to service Orange and the surrounding area.
The recent announcement of a second Bathurst Bullet with two daily services to Sydney and return was a grant opportunity to explore having it stabled in Orange so that the people of Orange, and Blayney, benefited from a daily bullet service which could still capably service the people of Bathurst - it just makes sense, don't you think?
Unfortunately the Minister let Orange Rail Action Group and the petitioners down when he deviated from the subject of debate about rail services, and instead discussed bus services connecting the communities west of Bathurst with the Bullet service.
I'm hopeful that with the eventual delivery of the Dubbo rail maintenance facility, and new rolling stock, Orange will benefit from improved services which meet our transport needs.
Nationals Threat of Extinction
It's unfortunate it took the loss of three key country seats for the Deputy Premier to finally recognise the people of the bush have had enough of being neglected and treated as second-class citizens.
The Deputy Premier is facing the possibility of a National Party extinction in NSW and only now with the realisation of his party's demise does Mr Barilaro publicly suggest he will stand-up to his Liberal Party masters.
Essential Profits
Country NSW already suffers from diminishing services, now communities are being further disadvantaged with Essential Energy cutting 182 jobs across NSW by August 30.
While this decision will almost certainly result in decreased and delayed service for our country communities, let's not forget there are 182 families that now face immediate insecurity and uncertainty in their futures.
The reason being cited is "a business need" due to Australian Energy Regulator funding. At the end of the day it's just so profit margins remain high and service outlays remain low. I'm sure our power bills won't be going down.
I'm asking the Deputy Premier to stand up to his Liberal bosses in condemning the Government for allowing this to happen.
Nurses Ratios detrimental
A recent study funded by UK's National Institute for Health Research found that having more registered nurses in a ward is associated with lower mortality rates and better clinical outcomes for patients.
The results of this study are unsurprising, but it certainly supports the need for ratios here in NSW hospitals.
This is something I have advocated for, in order to be provide the best level of patient care and to look after the physical and mental well-being of our hardworking nurses.
- Member for Orange Phil Donato.
Ratios are successfully applied in Victoria and Queensland but the Berejiklian Government have decided to stick with the complex system of nursing hours per patient day.
This is something I have advocated for, in order to be provide the best level of patient care and to look after the physical and mental well-being of our hardworking nurses.
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