I was very pleased to host the Deputy Leader of The Nationals and Minister for Regional Development, Fiona Nash in Dubbo last week to announce Federal funding for Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) towards their project to upgrade Dubbo Airport and its Aeromedical Facilities.

DRC was successful in securing over $6.6 million from the Coalition Government under Round 3 of the National Stronger Regions Fund.

I am very pleased that the Coalition Government is part of such an important project that will not just benefit Dubbo but Western NSW more broadly.

The benefits of this project are multifaceted - including increasing tourism, providing improved healthcare services and facilitating economic growth through the attraction of new business, delivery of new services and expansion of existing businesses in the General Aviation Area.

In turn, this will improve the liveability of the region and encourage the attraction of new residents and businesses and act as a catalyst for further investment in the region.

I congratulate DRC on their success with this application and thank Minister Nash for attending Dubbo to make this announcement.

I look forward to seeing the $17 million project come to fruition over the coming years.

Lift-off for NBN’s satellite Sky Muster II

Fast broadband services for rural and remote areas have been boosted with the successful launch of NBN’s second satellite, Sky Muster II last week. The new satellite blasted off from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana and will provide additional capacity and support for the first satellite, Sky Muster, which launched in October last year.

I echo the sentiments of Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield and Minister for Regional Communications Fiona Nash who both welcomed the launch, which is helping to bridge the digital divide between the cities and the country.

The Australian Government has invested $2 billion in two purpose-built broadband satellites and a network of ground stations that make up the Sky Muster service.

The satellites are expected to revolutionise many services that rural Australians rely on, such as distance education for students in remote areas, and will be a game changer for rural business and agriculture.

For more information on eligibility and retailers, visit www.nbnco.com.au or freecall nbn on 1800 687 626.

Community encouraged to stay safe online

This week marks the ninth annual Stay Smart Online Week which aims to help individuals and businesses be more aware of how to stay safe online. The theme for the 2016 Stay Smart Online Week is “Cyber safety from the lounge room to the board room” and focuses on how good online security habits at home should be replicated at work.

Just like you wouldn’t leave your front door open when you go out, there are common sense precautions you can take to protect yourself online. Don’t give out your personal information to somebody you don’t know; always use the latest update of software and have a strong password.

The Coalition Government has launched two cyber security guides for Stay Smart Online Week, an updated Stay Smart Online Small Business Guide and a Stay Smart Online My Guide for individuals.

Any individual or business in the Parkes electorate can get a copy of the new cyber security guides, which can be downloaded from the Stay Smart Online webpage.

The new resources will complement the existing Stay Smart Online Alert Service, a free subscription service that sends information about current online security threats. For more information about the 2016 Stay Smart Online Week or to sign up for the Alert Service visit http://www.staysmartonline.gov.auwww.staysmartonline.gov.au