Torbay determined to keep the spotlight on country interests

Signing off as Speaker in Parliament last week, Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay has been inundated with issues to take up in his position as the sole independent advocate for country NSW.
The MP said he relished the opportunity to be back on the floor of Parliament with a long list of issues he has been asked to raise.
“It’s what I expected but I must say I’m surprised by the number of people who have already approached me to question and get clarification on government policies and decisions that affect country areas,” he said.
“The sudden halt to grid connections under the Solar Bonus Scheme is just one example.
“These matters need to be brought into the spotlight to be publicly questioned and I am in the box seat to do that as an Independent member.”
Mr Torbay said he intends to raise issues including health, roads and infrastructure funding, regional development, police numbers in country NSW, lack of fair compensation for farmers whose land is sequestered under the Native Vegetation Act and retention of the volunteer base within the State Emergency Service in Parliament over the coming weeks.
“There’s a lot to do and I’m determined to provide a strong and reasonable voice and to ensure country interests are represented with vigour in this new Parliament,” he said.