It is always such an honour to be involved in events such as these. In Western and Far West New South Wales (NSW) we are incredibly spoilt when it comes to local sporting talent. These awards not only recognise this talent but also thank all of the people behind the scenes such as parents, coaches and referees who play a significant role in the success of our local sports people. 

Veterans and current Australian Defence Force personnel across Western and Far West NSW will benefit from employment initiatives announced by the Prime Minister last week. I encourage all local businesses to recognise the unique skills Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel bring to business. Ensuring our veterans find meaningful employment is one of the best ways to help them make the transition from the defence forces into postservice life.

ADF personnel gain unique skills during their service to our country and those skills can be used by the private sector to make a business more successful. The Australian Government will ensure all ADF personnel who leave the military have the documentation in place and support available to make a successful transition to civilian life. The Government has announced a package of initiatives as part of The Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program to improve the transition process for ADF personnel and provide more post-service employment opportunities. As part of this package, all ADF personnel will leave the military with the necessary documentation, including health records, superannuation and training records.

Additionally, all ADF personnel will participate in the transition process, which will include access to employment coaching and a new toolkit to assist finding work in the public service. The Government’s JobsActive website will add a feature for employers to nominate positions that would suit for ADF personnel. Further under the package, local businesses will be encouraged to partner with a local ExService Organisation, such as the RSL and Soldier On, to develop strategies for driving veterans’ employment.

Ex-service organisations and companies can register their interest by emailing ESOindustryregister@dva.gov.au. The excellent work done by Australian businesses employing veterans will be recognised at an annual Prime Minister’s Veterans Employment Awards. The Prime Minister’s initiatives also include a private-sector led Advisory Committee of leading business people who develop strategies to recruit and retain veterans in employment. Companies can register their interest by emailing veteransemployment@dva.gov.au. 

I welcome the Coalition Government’s launch of the National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Strategy 2015-2019 implementation plan, developed thanks to the Coalition Government’s commitment of $9.4 million in funding announced at the 2016/17 Budget, to continue work already being done around AMR research and education.

Constituents across the Parkes electorate will be better protected from the immediate global threat of antibiotic-resistant superbugs under the Coalition Government’s new plan, developed in partnership with a myriad of professionals.

A particular focus of the plan is Australia’s high use of antibiotics in general practice, which is 20 per cent above the OECD average. Bringing prescribing rates down is critical, as high antibiotic use is the number one driver of the increasing resistance to antimicrobials. The Implementation Plan for the Strategy focuses on activities that will minimise the development of antibiotic – resistant strains of infections and ensure the continued availability of effective antibiotics. The AMR Implementation Plan can be found at

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-amr.htm