Licensed firearm dealers across NSW – many of them small, family-run businesses in regional communities – are facing significant financial pressure following the rapid introduction of new firearms legislation late last year.

Since these changes came into effect, local operators have reported substantial reductions in trade, with declines in sales and stock turnover placing real strain on their ability to meet ongoing costs such as wages, insurance, leases and inventory commitments.

I have been contacted by a number of businesses across the Orange electorate who are doing it tough, particularly in the current cost-of-living environment. These are law-abiding small businesses that play an important role in our regional economy, and they deserve fair consideration.

I am calling on the NSW Government to introduce a targeted support package to assist licensed firearm dealers manage the financial impacts of these legislative changes. Th is should include practical measures such as transitional assistance, support for stranded inventory and relief to address cash flow challenges.

There is clear precedent for governments to provide assistance where policy decisions have directly impacted industries, and I believe similar support is warranted in this case.

More broadly, I recently met with members of the Canobolas Hunting Club to discuss the impacts of these reforms and the importance of ensuring that law-abiding firearm owners are properly considered in future regulations. I will continue to advocate for fair, balanced outcomes that support responsible firearm ownership.

I also look forward to speaking in NSW Parliament in response to the Sporting Shooters’ Association’s record-breaking petition, which high lights the level of community concern around these changes.

I will continue working to ensure the voices that of practical, regional fair communities solutions are are heard delivered. and ,

Concerned Farmers and Community members gatherers in the centre of the main street in Parkes on Sat 28th and Marched Together to Cooke Park where Speeches where lead by Parkes Farmer Sharon Wood.

NSW Farmers say plans to pollute rural and regional communities with Sydney’s rubbish should be immediately rejected.

The proposed Parkes Incinerator would burn 700,000 tonnes of Sydney’s red-bin rubbish each year if approved, and NSW Farmers Vice President Rebecca Reardon said it was totally unacceptable to force any regional community to be the dump­ing ground for Sydney waste if they did not agree.

The Parkes region contributes signifi­cantly to NSW’s wheat, barley, oats, canola and pulse crops. Its mixed farming systems also support substantial sheep grazing for wool and meat.

The significant number of heavy vehicles on council roads, or more freight move­ments on rural rail infrastructure already in need of major upgrades will decimate our regions and agriculture’s economic return to the state budget.

Mrs Reardon spoke at the Parkes Farm­ers & Community March and said the peo­ple of Parkes felt they were being forced to become Sydney’s dumping ground.

“When these projects were proposed for Western Sydney, there was a chorus line of Labor MPs very vocal in their opposition,” Mrs Reardon said.

“Why should rural communities be forced to host projects that are considered unac­ceptable for urban centres, particularly when these same regions produce a lot of the state’s food and fibre?” “There’s also significant concerns for public health, and the impact on the food and fibre grown in these communities.

These projects should be immediately ruled out without question.”

Phil Donato MP marched alongside local farmers and said “It’s critically important that people power unites in Parkes to op­pose this project because the Government will take that into account.”

“We really need to continue and persist with that pressure to push back on this pro­posal and send a message loud and clear to the state government that Parkes does not want this facility in their community.”

“Our community is strengthened when every woman and girl is safe, supported and empowered. This event is a chance to celebrate progress while acknowledging the work still to be done,” said Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM.

Forbes Shire Council is inviting the com­munity to come together for a morning of inspiration, wellbeing and celebration at this year’s International Women’s Day event, to be held on Friday 6 March 2026 at Lions Park. The morning will begin with an invigorating Pilates session at 6.30am, open to all fitness levels, followed by a free community breakfast at 7am.

This year’s theme “Balance the Scales” is a call to action for a fairer and more in­clusive justice system for women and girls.

It emphasises the need to dismantle barri­ers to justice and ensure that every woman and girl can be safe, heard, and free to shape her own future. The theme is par­ticularly relevant for First Nations women, who face unique challenges and are dis­proportionately affected by violence and legal outcomes.

The event will feature an impressive line­up of guest speakers, each sharing their experience and leadership in the spirit of the theme: Maree Yapp, 2025 Forbes Citi­zen of the Year, Zoe Tyack, Owner of Rise Physiotherapy, Tess Bailey, Owner of La­chlan Valley Vets and Clare Pearson, CEO of Little Wings.

Attendees will also receive a complimen­tary gift bag, thanks to the support of local partners and organisations.

Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said Interna­tional Women’s Day is an important oppor­tunity to reflect, celebrate and advocate.

Everyone is welcome, and Council en­courages community members to bring

friends, colleagues and family for a mean­ingful and energising start to the day.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased via 123tix.com.au. The Forbes Interna­tional Women’s Day event is presented by Council in collaboration with the Forbes Business Chamber. For information about the event, visit www.forbes.nsw.gov.au