NSW Young Nationals descended on Moree over the weekend to discuss policy, the future of the party and get to know other like-minded individuals from regional and rural communities at their Annual General Conference for 2017.
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The conference was hailed as a success with a high number of delegates in attendance and a wide range of motions put forward by members, including an Emissions Intensity Scheme (EIS) which was adopted as NSW Young National’s policy.
“It was fantastic to see over 60 Young Nationals travel from as far as Wagga Wagga and Port Macquarie to Moree for our conference,” NSW Young Nationals chair, Jessica Price-Purnell said.
“Delegates partook in robust and respectful debate about the future of our party and the outcomes we want to achieve in regional and rural NSW.”
There was strong representation from the Nationals’ Parliamentary team throughout the weekend with local MPs, Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton and Member for Northern Tablelands, Adam Marshall, opening the welcome reception at the Yaama Ganu Gallery.
Leader of the NSW Nationals, John Barilaro as well as Member for Upper Hunter, Michael Johnsen, Bronnie Taylor MLC, Ben Franklin MLC, Sarah Mitchell MLC and Senator John “Wacka” Williams were also in attendance.
“It was a privilege to sit with and listen to our future leaders describe their vision for the NSW Nationals and regional NSW,” Mr Barilaro said.
During his keynote speech, Mr Barilaro announced an $8 million commitment by the NSW government to expand a network of Country Universities Centres (CUC) across the state to enable regional and rural university students to study in collaborative and supporting environments closer to home.
“The CUC centres will be modelled on an already successful pilot centre in Cooma with at least five other centres to be established over the next three years,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Regional students should have the option to live in their local areas close to their family and friends while undertaking their education rather than having to relocate for study.”
The Conference’s Gala Dinner on Saturday night was held at the Max Centre in Moree with local businesswoman, Sasha Esten of Rabbit Hop Films, as guest speaker and band, Contingency Plan, as entertainment.
Successful policies from the NSW Young Nationals’ Conference will be referred to the NSW Nationals’ Annual General Conference in Broken Hill on May 19-20.
