Janelle Saffin says the numbers back up what she told budget estimates all along, it was never misuse, just a mix-up over which budget line her Sydney travel came from.
Politics
Posted inFeature, Lismore, NSW Politics
Coalition ramps up attack on Saffin over expenses
“One night, out of a year,” she said of a Ballina hotel stay. Now the Coalition is dragging Minister Janelle Saffin to the Auditor General to explain that and dozens of other travel claims that may not be right.
Posted inFeature, Federal Politics, Health, Taree
Red tape blocks surgeon working in Taree
He’s qualified, willing and wanted by two Taree hospitals, but a Canberra classification says the Manning doesn’t need this surgeon. Alison Penfold wants it fixed, now.
Posted inAgribusiness, Environment, Feature, Federal Politics, Kempsey
North Coast voices join mass forest logging letter to Canberra
A Kempsey Shire councillor and North Coast campaigners are among 100 signatories urging the Senate not to kill off a new pathway to end native forest logging.
Posted inCrime, Feature, Federal Politics, National News, Social issues and services
Penfold backs Coalition tobacco tax cut as black market debate reignites
Lyne MP Alison Penfold says an 80 per cent tobacco tax cut is the only way to smash organised crime’s grip on illegal cigarettes, but a former detective says even that might not be enough.
Posted inFeature, Local politics, Tweed Shire
Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry calls time on six turbulent years in the top job
Six years, a cyclone, two floods and a border shutdown later, Tweed Shire’s mayor is stepping back. Chris Cherry has revealed who she wants to take her seat, and why she says now is the moment for a changeover.
Posted inAgriculture, Environment, Federal Politics, Local News
Farmers need answers on Labor’s new environment laws
Can you clear a fence line or fix a creek crossing without Canberra’s say-so? Allison Penfold claims Labor’s new environment laws leave basic farm work in limbo.
Posted inMurwillumbah, NSW Politics, Regional Development
South Murwillumbah locals get say on flood buyback land’s future
South Murwillumbah’s flood buyback land could become parks, trails or wetlands. Locals get their say from this September, with pop-ups, workshops and an online survey.
Posted inCoffs Harbour, Good News, Local politics
New faces bolster three Coffs Harbour committees
Four locals, including a recent regional tourism award winner, have joined three City of Coffs Harbour committees covering tourism, disability access and ageing.
Posted inFeature, Local politics, Long Read, Moree Plains Shire, Politics
Three strikes and still not out: the weak council rules unable to deal with populist politicians
They run the same playbook as Pauline Hanson and Donald Trump: turn every sanction into persecution. Inside the NSW rules that still can’t make badly behaved councillors stop.