Hello [NAME],

                    NEW ENGLAND NEWSLETTER FOR DECEMBER 2011

Hello everyone,

I hope you enjoyed the Christmas-New Year break and are fit and refreshed ready for another strong year. Regional Australia deserves a better deal from the Gillard government for infrastructure funding to ensure our country towns continue to prosper. The farming sector will wonder what 2012 has in store for it after years of drought, then excellent growing conditions and the prospect of good returns, only to be struck down at harvest time by the big wet. Several farmers have spoken with me about applying for a category C grant which would "cover the cost of clean-up and reinstatement following a natural disaster". In New England, the only two local government areas not declared natural disaster areas late last year were Walcha and Tenterfield. I encourage any landholders needing assistance to contact their local DPI or my office for details. Councils are also assessing damage to roads from the downpours and the repair bill will run into tens of millions of dollars.

There is huge concern in the small business sector about the increasing dominance of the big few, namely Coles and Woolworths. Their tentacles have spread to encompass so many products that were once the bread and butter of small business, but it is the price undercutting that is the problem. I arranged a meeting in Sydney to discuss concerns, and what originally started as a meeting of a few representatives from industry groups ballooned into a gathering of more than 20 who aired their concerns to Shadow Minister for Small Business, Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs Bruce Billson. It is important that in government the coalition acts to protect our SME's which are our biggest employers.

The Exceptional Circumstances declaration for the Bundarra region is due to expire on the 30^th April. There is no resemblance between the bare paddocks and empty dams we saw in early 2010 and the excellent conditions prevailing now. As part of the process NRAC will review the area and determine whether there is a need for an extension to the period of assistance. Representatives will conduct a tour on Tuesday the 24^th of January, and I will be meeting with them at one point. I am keen to receive any submissions from those in the EC area as to their current situation and whether they believe the declaration should be extended.

I spent a few hours on a farm in the Bellata district which is part of the area being considered for coal seam gas exploration. It is prime farming country and reinforces my belief that such areas should be excluded.

Finally, a liquidator who is barred from practice was gaoled for six years prior to Christmas. It is a warning to any in the insolvency industry who may not be doing the right thing, and I will not let up on them.

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