General News
4 February, 2026
Chaffey's Corner - February 4, 2026
From federal Member for Parkes, Jamie Chaffey MP
Most people in the Parkes electorate would be aware that there have been changes to the Coalition in the past few weeks.
As well as being the Federal Member for Parkes, I am a proud member of The Nationals, and it is important that we remember the people who have put their trust in us to represent them at a national level.
Through many, many personal representations, phone calls, emails and letters, people in the Parkes electorate told me they were deeply concerned about the proposed changes to hate speech legislation and gun laws. I attended Parliament with the intention of making these concerns plain.
However, we were left with almost no time to review amended legislation before it was presented to Parliament. I (and The Nationals) could not vote to support these changes and I stood with the three Senators who voted against the hate speech Bill.
While I believe it is important to be part of a Coalition that holds the Labor Government to account, the Nationals must also stay true to the people who put us in Parliament.
I am proud of how I represented you. Since these Bills were introduced, many have already been faced with confusion and, in some cases, possible loss of their livelihoods following the introduction of gun law reform.
What happened at Bondi Beach was horrendous. But kicking out in haste at legitimate firearms owners and providers who are already following rigid regulations is not the way to deal with Islamic extremists. I will continue to fight these unfair reforms.
At home in the Parkes electorate, people are again facing the spectre of drought.
The last seasonal update for New South Wales released in December by the Department of Primary Industries showed 45 per cent of the state was in a drought category. This included Bourke, White Cliffs, Broken Hill, Menindee and a number of other areas which were listed as “drought-affected (intensifying)”. (https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate_applications/state-seasonal-update/summary)
It also noted the most likely outcome by the end of March this year is for drought conditions to increase in areas including Dubbo, Coonabarabran and Wanaaring.
A number of shires across the electorate, such as Gunnedah, Lachlan, Bogan, Liverpool Plains, Cobar, Central Darling, Narrabri, Moree Plains, Narromine, Coonamble, Broken Hill, Parkes, Forbes and Walgett have introduced water restrictions to conserve water.
There has been a conspicuous silence from both state and federal Labor Governments in acknowledging the dry conditions facing regional communities, and it is critical that this threat is not only acknowledged, but that action is taken to assist those who are struggling.
We all remember the most recent and devastating millennial drought, and know the importance of reaching out for help. If you need help, please reach out to a service that might be able to assist, such as Local Land Services through the Drought Adoption Officer program, the Rural Financial Counselling Service, the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program or take a look at droughthub.nsw.gov.au
Finally, I joined the Lake Cargelligo community following the devastating attack that saw four innocent lives lost and another person shot at the hands of a gunman. My heart is with that community as they struggle to come to terms with this loss, and my thanks go out to all those who have helped them in this difficult time. I stand at the ready to assist the community with any support required in partnership with the federal government.
Some have tried to use this heart-breaking event as proof stronger gun laws were needed. The man who allegedly committed this terrible act was not a licensed gun owner and abided by no existing gun laws. Again, the evil is not in the weapon, but in the person who holds it. More must be done to protect communities from domestic violence.
