COULTON’S CATCH UP

Register Interest For Stronger Communities Funding

I’m currently taking expressions of interest for Round 8 of the popular Stronger Communities Programme (SCP), with grants of up to $20,000 available for eligible not-for-profits or local governing bodies.

The Stronger Communities Programme has funded so many worthwhile community projects over the years, including a kitchen upgrade for the 3rd Broken Hill Sea Scouts, a shelter for Trangie Central School, new gym equipment for Orana Haven Aboriginal

Corporation and the installation of solar panels at the Baradine Golf Club under the last round.

It’s projects like these that help to boost community participation and contribute to vibrant and viable communities, which is exactly why this program was established by the former Coalition Government.

A total of $150,000 is available under this latest round to fund up to 20 small capital projects in the Parkes electorate. Funding can be used for small-scale infrastructure upgrades, fit-outs and equipment purchases. If your community group has a suitable project in mind, I encourage you to submit an expression of interest to my office by 5pm AEDT on Friday 10 March.

For more detailS: www.markcoulton.com. au/stronger-communities-programmeround-8-open

Win For Farmers And Miners

I’m pleased that after days of speculation last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the Labor Government would not axe the fuel tax credit scheme. This is a win for common sense and relief for all Australian farmers, miners, truckies, fishers and foresters.

I spoke about this issue in Parliament last week, following a report released by the Grattan Institute, recommending this scheme be scrapped.

The diesel road tax is intended for heavy road vehicles such as large trucks. These vehicles cause wear and tear on our roads so it’s fair they should pay for road repairs. The credit scheme provides a rebate to those businesses that use fuel for off-road vehicles as part of their operations, such as for a tractor on farm or a piece of mining equipment. These vehicles don’t use public roads and therefore shouldn’t have to pay the tax.

It would have been a folly for the Government to even consider scrapping this scheme - our agricultural and mining businesses should not have to pay a tax for something they don’t use. And if off-road vehicles and machinery were made to pay a road tax, the cost of the food, energy and services they provide would increase and that increase would have to be passed on to consumers.