36 | Mid-Western Living SPRING 2025 107 George Street, Bathurst NSW 2795 PO Box 54, Bathurst NSW 2795 (02) 6331 0524 andrew.gee.mp@aph.gov.au www.andrewgeemp.com.au @andrewgeecalare Authorised by Andrew Gee MP, Suite 1/179a Anson Street Orange NSW 2800 BATHURST ELECTORATE OFFICE Andrew GEE MP INDEPENDENT FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CALARE For the first Question Time of the new Parliament in July, I launched into it with a question on the disgraceful rural doctor shortage crisis. We have shorter life expectancies in the country, yet governments spend more per capita on the health of city people. I asked when the crisis was going to be fixed and also when the Charles Sturt University medical school was going to get more student places. We fought hard to establish this country-based medical school five years ago, and while it started with 37 places, that number hasn’t been increased since. Here we have a school training doctors in the bush, for the bush, but it still can’t expand to meet the growing demand. That has to change. Recently I met with Kate Day and Dr Liz Kennedy from Doctors 4 Mudgee Region to discuss ways to keep pressure on governments. The group has been successful in securing a new doctor for Gulgong (without the help of state or federal governments) but nine more for the region are needed. It's not good enough. It's a shame question time isn't answer time. Andrew with Kate Day and Dr Liz Kennedy in Mudgee recently July 22nd marked the opening of the 48th Parliament of Australia. It was an honour to be sworn in as the Independent Federal Member for Calare. The opening commenced with a Welcome to Country ceremony in the Great Hall followed by the swearing in of all members in the House of Representatives. We then moved to the Senate where the Governor-General outlined the Government’s priorities for this term. It was an incredibly special day for all involved and it was made extra special by having my family join me. I sincerely thank the communities of Calare for electing me as your representative in Canberra. I remain deeply committed to standing up for our region and ensuring the voices of our communities are heard loud and clear in our nation’s capital. It’s going to be a busy three years and there’s a lot to do. Now let’s get to work! Andrew with AREC Chair Daniel Lewis, Garry Connelly and Ken Sutcliffe Andrew being sworn in at the opening of the 48th Parliament OPENING OF THE 48TH PARLIAMENT OF AUSTRALIA The fight for a crossing over the Macquarie River at Dixons Long Point continues. You may recall that the previous Coalition government had $27.8 million in the kitty for the project which was outrageously snatched away when the government changed hands. After local outrage and some robust lobbying, the government gave $10 million back to do updated planning and costings for the project which would include a new bridge and approaches. I recently met with Mid-Western Regional Council (based in Mudgee) which has been tasked with doing the updated plans. The council has assured me that they are just about to draw down on the $10 million to get the work moving again. I’ll keep the community posted on the progress. A new crossing at Dixons Long Point would dramatically slash the travel times between the Mudgee region and Cabonne/Orange. It would open the region up for tourism and business, which is why communities have been pushing for it since the time of the gold rush. We need to get it done! DIXONS LONG POINT UPDATE RURAL DOCTOR SHORTAGE CRISIS RAISED IN QUESTION TIME HELP FOR OUR VETERANS STILL ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH! Ken Atkinson is a decorated Vietnam veteran who served his country with distinction. He survived a close encounter with a North Vietnamese sniper and has since dedicated his life to helping veterans in need. In Mudgee recently, I dropped into the Mudgee & District Vietnam Veterans Peacekeepers & Peacemakers Association to hear firsthand about the difficulties that many veteran advocates like Ken face when dealing with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. There’s still a lot of red tape and Ken recently spent an hour and a half on hold waiting to speak to a departmental officer about a case. This isn’t good enough! Thank you Ken for the wonderful work you’re doing for veterans around the state. You’re making a real difference and it’s very much appreciated. MUDGEE SMALL FARM FIELD DAYS We had a wonderful day at the 46th Mudgee Small Farm Field Days! The Field Days started in 1977 with a crowd of about 300 with the aim of educating “blockies” about life in the country. It now draws 20,000 people from around Australia! Thank you to AREC Chair Daniel Lewis and all the AREC board members, AREC General Manager Cassandra Stanford and her team plus all the volunteers who’ve made the 2025 Mudgee Small Farm Field Days such a stunning success. Andrew with the Mudgee CWA Evening Branch
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