THE Minister for the Hunter Michael Gallacher resorted to taking almost every single question on notice because he didn’t have the answers and admitted he is yet to visit John Hunter Hospital or catch a train from Sydney to Newcastle since taking on the role.
Environment Minister Robyn Parker refused to rule out allowing logging in national parks, was unable to name the CEO of the National Parks Association of NSW and refused to answer questions on whether she planned to subsume the Parramatta Park Trust into a larger organisation.
Energy and Resources Minister Chris Hartcher revealed that the O’Farrell government has renewed the exploration licences for the coal seam gas industry in the iconic Pilliga Forest – despite the fact a departmental investigation into alleged licence breaches in the area has not yet been completed.
It was also revealed last week that the O’Farrell government will cut $500 million from community services over the next four years – devastating support for the most vulnerable people in the community, including at-risk children and victims of child sexual abuse.
PETER LAWLER
TAMWORTH