36 | Mid-Western Living | SUMMER 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 In 2007, the National Party turned the first sod on the Bells Line of Road Expressway. This kicked off a golden age of broken promises, delays, and funding raids on a fast road over the Blue Mountains that all major political parties are guilty of. It’s shocking that today the traffic jams from our region to Sydney are worse than ever! In Question Time last month, I put a question to the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Catherine King, on federal funding to upgrade the Great Western Highway. “Will your government commit to turning the Great Western Highway into a genuine expressway to Sydney?” While there was disappointingly no commitment, I will not stop fighting for this crucial link between the bush and the city. Housing Plus is at the frontline – day in, day out – helping women and children escape domestic, family and sexual violence. I recently, attended the opening of the new Housing Plus emergency accommodation in Mudgee. With the help of $532,000 Federal Government funding, this development comprises four purpose built, self-contained units that provide safe and secure housing for women and children in the region. This development was a collaboration with Mid-Western Regional Council, Glencore Mine and service delivery partner organisation Barnardos. PROVIDING REFUGE FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN MUDGEE The Government’s draft regulation on a cash mandate sells out vulnerable Australians and rural communities. The draft cash mandate is an absolute dud! It does nothing more than require supermarket giants and big fuel companies to keep cash for transactions of $500 or less. Australians who want to use cash will be abandoned. In country areas there are many people who don’t buy their food and groceries from the big retailers. Recently in Question Time, I again challenged the Government on why it won’t support my private Members Bill Keeping Cash Transactions in Australia. My Bill would mandate that businesses operating in any face-to-face settings, must accept cash for transactions that don’t exceed $10,000 – keeping cash ‘king’. The Government’s draft regulation is a cop-out – it doesn’t go far enough to ensure that Australians can choose how they will pay for what they buy. I’ll say it again – Australians should have a choice as to how they spend their hard-earned dollars. I will not be giving up the fight to keep cash ‘king’ in Australia. NO FEDERAL COMMITMENT ON GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY It was great to visit everyone at the Gulgong Men’s Shed recently. This place is a real hub of mateship, friendship, creativity and community spirit. The Gulgong Men’s Shed shares its site with the She Shed. Together they’ve built a supportive space that welcomes people of all ages and those living with disabilities. It was great to meet some of the talented team. From Gary’s first wood-turning project to Ron’s beautiful work on the lathe. And with Judy crafting her famous ‘wheelie birds’, there’s no shortage of skill or heart in Gulgong. The Men’s Shed members have their sights set on a new shed at the showground and have already started putting together building plans and funding proposals. GULGONG MEN’S SHED BUZZING WITH SPIRIT GOVERNMENT CASH MANDATE A DUD Rylstone branch of the CWA had a cracker of a birthday party, celebrating 100 years of advocacy for country women, their families and communities. They recently had a wonderful lunch to celebrate their century milestone. CWA members from around the region gathered to reflect on the difference the CWA makes to the lives of so many generations. One of the branch’s many achievements was the establishment of a Baby Health Clinic, which was a major step forward in health services for the district. HAPPY 100TH RYLSTONE CWA It’s no dribbling matter! Recently we cut the ribbon on a super colourful multisport court at Mudgee’s Glen Willow, thanks to a Federal Government grant of $200,932. I had a crack at a few baskets (with little success) after opening the sports facility with Mudgee Mayor Des Kennedy, Julie Cunningham, and Mid-Western to see how it is doing with Regional Council GM Brad Cam. Much more successful than my prowess at shooting hoops, was the dedicated success of the construction team who can take great pride in the multisport court. This community infrastructure will stand the test of time, bringing people together and making a real difference for generations to come. PS Thanks for the B-Ball lesson Ben! SLAM DUNK FOR MUDGEE SPORTS FACILITIES Your True Country Independent
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