Andrew GEE MP INDEPENDENT FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CALARE NEW FUNDING WELCOME, BUT WHERE'S THE REST? welcome the visit to our region recently by Areas have access to the Community Assets INSW Minister Kate Washington to discuss Program to help rebuild their towns and a state/federal funding package for disaster villages but councils in our region on do not? hit communities. It is important for her to see what our residents are going through Any injection of funding into our devastated region is a positive development However, the $9.1 million will go towards multiple disaster-hit areas, so it will be spread pretty thin. More funding is needed for our area, and we will be pushing for it. While I wasn't invited to be part of this state and federal funding announcement, one question I would have asked the state government is when will the same assistance measures that have been announced for the Northern Rivers area of NSW, be announced for our region? For example, why does the Lismore area have access to the home buy-back scheme and not the storm and flood-hit areas of the Central West? Why is it that other Local Government There is a fundamental injustice and inequality going on here with respect to storm and flood assistance provided by the state and federal governments. The NSW Govemment can activate this assistance immediately. The question has to be asked, why they haven't done so? The previous NSW Government failed to act and so too has the new one. Our residents pay their taxes just like everyone else in the state, and they are right to expect that they will receive equal treatment and an equal level of support. The cold hard truth is our region is being ripped off and is being given second class treatment. I call on the NSW Government to activate the same level of disaster assistance for our region that other communities in NSW have received. On the double. Without delay MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE UPDATE recently held a communtly meeting with Telstra to discuss the local mobile phone coverage concerns at Shooters Hill Telstra said that they will be writing a review about the viability of the location for a small cell tower. I will keep the community updated on any developments. BATHURST ELECTORATE OFFICE 107 George Street PO Box 54 Bathurst NSW 2795 VOLUNTEER GRANTS NOW OPEN! 2023-24 Volunteer Grants are now open, with grants between help support the efforts of our hardworking volunteers Grants must go towards items that are of direct benefit to the work of volunteers. To submit your expression of interest (EOI) please contact my office for an EOI form at andrew.gee.mp@uph.gov.au RESTS TIMBER Andrew with some of the crew from Oberon and District Museum which has previously recieved a $4,250 Volunteer Grant! WHAT IS THE VOICE? In late 2023, Australians will have their sayin la referendum about whether to change the Constitution to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. The Voice would give advice to the Australian Parliament and Government on matters that affect the lives of Indigenous Australians The Voice would be subject to the rules set for it by Parliament, it's advice would be non- binding and it would not have a veto power. The aim of the Voice is to get better outcomes for Indigenous Australians by ensuring that they are consulted on issues that affect them For example in housing education, health and jobs. It's about long overdue constitutional recognition, and Closing the Gap. The finest legal minds in the country have declared the Voice to be constitutionally sound. Eminent constitutional barrister Bret Walker SC has stated that the suggestion that the Voice will gum up the workings of government is too silly for words and nonsense Since this disaster hit our region, we have heard many stories of heartache and heartbreak from local residents and business people who have had their homes and livelihoods destroyed. Your Country Your Voice welcome the announcement that the federal is not repeated in others. government will launch a parliamentary inquiry into the response of insurers to the 2022 storm and flood events including those that occurred in Central Westem NSW The rebuilding and recovery process has been made much harder, and the tragedy much worse, by the cold-hearted and shocking response of insurers to policyholders. The anger in our communities is white hot, and I don't think we are alone, with other regions across Australia left reeling from the callous conduct of insurance companies, From long delays in claims processing, to widespread knockbacks. It's taken a massive toll across our region. The reality is that there is a huge power imbalance between policyholders and insurance companies. INQUIRY WILL SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON SHOCKING INSURANCE PRACTICES IN DISASTER-HIT COMMUNITIES At the end of the day, if a policy holder wants to fight a knockback from an insurer, they're going to need to fork out big dollars for an expert hydrology report and also a solicitor. If you've lost everything or your business is in ruins, there is just no prospect of fighting back The stories of insurers trying to do the right thing are sadly few and far between Australians expect insurers to be assessing claims in a generous and kind-hearted way, nothing less Insurance companies don't just answer to shareholders. but also to the nation. They don't just have insurance contracts with our residents. they also operate with a social licence. We need to get to the bottom of what's happened here and make sure the pain that insurance companies have inflicted on our communities I'M SAYING YES! Communities like Eugowra, Molong Canowindra, Cudal and Wellington were devastated by November's stormam grateful to the Prime Minister and also to the and flood events. Minister for Financial Services and Assistant Treasurer for answering our communities calls for an inquiry. Want to add your face our Voice feature Enal andrew gren (02) 6331 0524 @andrew.gee.mp@aph.gov.au www.andrewgeemp.com.au Authorised by Andrew Gee MP. Suite 1/179A Anson Street, Orange, NSW 2800. I TO W I'm Deputy Mayor of Bathurst Ben Fry, and I'm supporting on Indigenous Voice to Parliament I'm hoping that this inquiry can shine a spotlight on the experience of our local residents and that they will get a chance to tell their stories on a national stage so that other communities won't have to go through what we have endured. The stories that emerged from recent public meetings I've held on insurance claims have been deeply troubling For regular updates and news, follow me on Facebook and Instagram @andrewgeecalare When I asked the Prime Minister in Question Time in May whether he would support an inquiry, he indicated that he would consider it and he has done what he said he would do. I'm hoping that this inquiry will be a watershed moment in the way that insurers deal with disaster-hit policy holders. Change needs to come from this immense tragedy and devastation think it's important that the Minister not only travelled to our area to hear first-hand what our residents have been through but that he also came and delivered a ta tangible result. It's certainly more than just a photo opportunity. Andrew with Minister Stephen Jones and homeowners Brian and Lesley Smith in Eugowns at the announcement Of Andrew GEE MP INDEPENDENT FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CALARE NEW FUNDING WELCOME , BUT WHERE'S THE REST ? welcome the visit to our region recently by Areas have access to the Community Assets INSW Minister Kate Washington to discuss Program to help rebuild their towns and a state / federal funding package for disaster villages but councils in our region on do not ? hit communities . It is important for her to see what our residents are going through Any injection of funding into our devastated region is a positive development However , the $ 9.1 million will go towards multiple disaster - hit areas , so it will be spread pretty thin . More funding is needed for our area , and we will be pushing for it . While I wasn't invited to be part of this state and federal funding announcement , one question I would have asked the state government is when will the same assistance measures that have been announced for the Northern Rivers area of NSW , be announced for our region ? For example , why does the Lismore area have access to the home buy - back scheme and not the storm and flood - hit areas of the Central West ? Why is it that other Local Government There is a fundamental injustice and inequality going on here with respect to storm and flood assistance provided by the state and federal governments . The NSW Govemment can activate this assistance immediately . The question has to be asked , why they haven't done so ? The previous NSW Government failed to act and so too has the new one . Our residents pay their taxes just like everyone else in the state , and they are right to expect that they will receive equal treatment and an equal level of support . The cold hard truth is our region is being ripped off and is being given second class treatment . I call on the NSW Government to activate the same level of disaster assistance for our region that other communities in NSW have received . On the double . Without delay MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE UPDATE recently held a communtly meeting with Telstra to discuss the local mobile phone coverage concerns at Shooters Hill Telstra said that they will be writing a review about the viability of the location for a small cell tower . I will keep the community updated on any developments . BATHURST ELECTORATE OFFICE 107 George Street PO Box 54 Bathurst NSW 2795 VOLUNTEER GRANTS NOW OPEN ! 2023-24 Volunteer Grants are now open , with grants between help support the efforts of our hardworking volunteers Grants must go towards items that are of direct benefit to the work of volunteers . To submit your expression of interest ( EOI ) please contact my office for an EOI form at andrew.gee.mp@uph.gov.au RESTS TIMBER Andrew with some of the crew from Oberon and District Museum which has previously recieved a $ 4,250 Volunteer Grant ! WHAT IS THE VOICE ? In late 2023 , Australians will have their sayin la referendum about whether to change the Constitution to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice . The Voice would give advice to the Australian Parliament and Government on matters that affect the lives of Indigenous Australians The Voice would be subject to the rules set for it by Parliament , it's advice would be non binding and it would not have a veto power . The aim of the Voice is to get better outcomes for Indigenous Australians by ensuring that they are consulted on issues that affect them For example in housing education , health and jobs . It's about long overdue constitutional recognition , and Closing the Gap . The finest legal minds in the country have declared the Voice to be constitutionally sound . Eminent constitutional barrister Bret Walker SC has stated that the suggestion that the Voice will gum up the workings of government is too silly for words and nonsense Since this disaster hit our region , we have heard many stories of heartache and heartbreak from local residents and business people who have had their homes and livelihoods destroyed . Your Country Your Voice welcome the announcement that the federal is not repeated in others . government will launch a parliamentary inquiry into the response of insurers to the 2022 storm and flood events including those that occurred in Central Westem NSW The rebuilding and recovery process has been made much harder , and the tragedy much worse , by the cold - hearted and shocking response of insurers to policyholders . The anger in our communities is white hot , and I don't think we are alone , with other regions across Australia left reeling from the callous conduct of insurance companies , From long delays in claims processing , to widespread knockbacks . It's taken a massive toll across our region . The reality is that there is a huge power imbalance between policyholders and insurance companies . INQUIRY WILL SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON SHOCKING INSURANCE PRACTICES IN DISASTER - HIT COMMUNITIES At the end of the day , if a policy holder wants to fight a knockback from an insurer , they're going to need to fork out big dollars for an expert hydrology report and also a solicitor . If you've lost everything or your business is in ruins , there is just no prospect of fighting back The stories of insurers trying to do the right thing are sadly few and far between Australians expect insurers to be assessing claims in a generous and kind - hearted way , nothing less Insurance companies don't just answer to shareholders . but also to the nation . They don't just have insurance contracts with our residents . they also operate with a social licence . We need to get to the bottom of what's happened here and make sure the pain that insurance companies have inflicted on our communities I'M SAYING YES ! Communities like Eugowra , Molong Canowindra , Cudal and Wellington were devastated by November's stormam grateful to the Prime Minister and also to the and flood events . Minister for Financial Services and Assistant Treasurer for answering our communities calls for an inquiry . Want to add your face our Voice feature Enal andrew gren ( 02 ) 6331 0524 @ andrew.gee.mp @ aph.gov.au www.andrewgeemp.com.au Authorised by Andrew Gee MP . Suite 1 / 179A Anson Street , Orange , NSW 2800 . I TO W I'm Deputy Mayor of Bathurst Ben Fry , and I'm supporting on Indigenous Voice to Parliament I'm hoping that this inquiry can shine a spotlight on the experience of our local residents and that they will get a chance to tell their stories on a national stage so that other communities won't have to go through what we have endured . The stories that emerged from recent public meetings I've held on insurance claims have been deeply troubling For regular updates and news , follow me on Facebook and Instagram @andrewgeecalare When I asked the Prime Minister in Question Time in May whether he would support an inquiry , he indicated that he would consider it and he has done what he said he would do . I'm hoping that this inquiry will be a watershed moment in the way that insurers deal with disaster - hit policy holders . Change needs to come from this immense tragedy and devastation think it's important that the Minister not only travelled to our area to hear first - hand what our residents have been through but that he also came and delivered a ta tangible result . It's certainly more than just a photo opportunity . Andrew with Minister Stephen Jones and homeowners Brian and Lesley Smith in Eugowns at the announcement Of