Following the passing of his long-lived and much-loved hunting dog, Brno, Robert announced a notice of motion calling on the government to recognise the important role of working and sporting dogs and affirming its support for such dogs in New South Wales. Click on the link below to see the notice of motion:

https://youtu.be/DO2wxy7aIlc

In one of the most significant pieces of legislation in recent history, a motion by Robert passed unopposed to recognise the "No body, no parole" laws contained within Section 135 of the Crimes Act, now to be recognised as "Lyn's Law," commemorating the life of Lynette Simms. Missing since 1982, her husband Chris Dawson was convicted of her murder in 2023 but is still yet to reveal the location of her body. This motion gives some solace to her family. It received considerable press coverage and demonstrated the breadth of SFF’s work in parliament. During the debate, however, The Greens showed their utter lack of compassion and disregard for the victim of this hideous crime. Click on the link below to see the debate:

https://youtu.be/2r-j0Oh_aTs

In the community, Robert braved the wet weather and attended the Riverina Field days at Griffith Showgrounds, signing up new party members and connecting with voters and constituents. SFF’s Pig Bounty solution was a popular topic for discussion.

https://youtu.be/umYW-BkRsBw

Both Robert and Mark attended the “Righteous Among the Nations” Ceremony on 6^th May at Moriah War Memorial College, commemorating the courage of Henricus and Elizabeth Marynissen who hid and cared for a young Jewish boy Jehuda Chaim de Liver during WW2. It wasn’t until decades later when the grandchildren of Henricus and Elizabeth were able to connect and finally meet the boy their grandparents kept safe from harm.

Last week in the wacky world that is NSW Parliament, Mark once again took on the government for their lack of consultation across various aspects of policymaking. Consultation on policies that affect the people of NSW needs to involve the people of NSW from the early stages and maintain two-way communication throughout the process.

It should not be viewed as an annoying formality box that needs to be checked before a policy is signed off, but as an invaluable tool that will help support the government in its decision-making and instil public confidence. We have seen it too many times with this parliament in the ban of blue groper by line fishing, and the so-called community consultative committee of the proposed Great Koala National Park which contained only one local person who is not an environmentalist or part of the public sector, as well as the industry consultative committee with just one sawmill representative when it first convened.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/VdBuB84rUzo

Mark also tackled a significant issue close to the boaters, elderly and disabled from the small community of Maloney’s Beach near Batemans Bay. National Parks and Wildlife Service, as part of a coastal walkway installation, removed vehicle access to the beach on council land which had been in place for quite some years. Residents’ communication with the council had fallen short, with various non-descript answers given providing a trail of breadcrumbs leading to nowhere. Mark will pursue the issue in parliament for the residents and is already making good progress with the Minister's office chasing us for further information. We will have much more to say on the Maloney’s Beach access issue in the coming weeks and months.

You can watch Mark’s question to the minister and the subsequent Take Note speech (of answers given) following: https://youtu.be/tvUuYqykXk

Thank you for your continued support!