SETTING aside more gas for the domestic market or direct subsidies for power bills are being offered by major parties in a pitch for energy bill relief. Touring coal country areas in the Hunter on the campaign trail, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said coalition plans to set up a domestic gas
Dungog Shire
Union: Dutton’s DVA cuts to harm veterans
THE Coalition's plan to cut 40,000 jobs from the public service will leave local veterans waiting years for the support they need, according to the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU). Opposition leader Peter Dutton has indicated that roles within the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), the Department of
BUSINESS SHOWCASE: Building a strong foundation for every child at Better Future Family Day Care
BETTER Future Family Day Care has been providing home-based early childhood education and care (ECEC) since 2013. Being a home-based service, Better Future provides before and after school care, vacation care, weekend care, occasional care, emergency care, and full time care. “Being a private, owner-operated service, we’re not
Parties at odds over direction of youth crime reform
THE NSW opposition introduced a bill in Parliament last week aiming to crack down on the “escalating youth crime crisis gripping regional communities”. Member for Oxley Michael Kemp, said the bill offers stronger, more effective measures than the bail reforms recently passed by the Labor Government. Advertise with News of The
Alarm raised as tough on crime policy ‘infects’ nation
ABORIGINALand Torres Strait Islander children are being set up for a life of suffering, legal services say, as 'tough on crime' policy sweeps the country. More state and territory governments are locking up children at increasing rates, and not listening to community or evidence about what is best for kids,
Layzell pushes Minns over coal community funding
MEMBER for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell has called on NSW Premier Chris Minns to “be honest about the financial blow his government has inflicted on coal communities like the Hunter”. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly during Questing Time on 25 March, Mr Layzell questioned Mr Minns on the programs in place
Plans to help more into ‘disaster’ housing market
MORE Australians could get help to purchase homes but opponents of an expanded scheme say they would rather use their retirement funds than share with the government. Changes to the Labor government's Help to Buy scheme will lift income and price caps for first homebuyers sharing equity with the government. Advertise with
Major parties neck and neck as election draws closer
LABOR and the coalition have drawn level with voters as the prime minister prepares to call the federal election. The latest YouGov poll provided to AAP shows the opposition clawing back ground on the government, with the major parties tied 50-50 on a two-party preferred basis. Advertise with News of The Area
Coles, Woolies guilty of increasing margins: watchdog
COLES and Woolworths are two of the most powerful and profitable supermarkets in the world but should not be split up, the competition watchdog has found in a major review of the sector. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission released its final report into supermarkets on Friday, finding major chains had
Cross-party nod for probe into ‘rogue’ childcare firms
SHOCKING allegations of children being sexually abused, restrained for hours and served low-quality meals have prompted a government-backed parliamentary inquiry into the childcare sector. The NSW probe is the first called since an ABC investigation revealed widespread failings in the nation's burgeoning for-profit childcare system. Advertise with News of The Area