As co-chair of the Parliamentary Friendship Group of Meals on Wheels I realise the association does more than deliver 10 million meals a year.

With 75,000 volunteers, Meals on Wheels is renowned for delivering not only a nourishing meal but a friendly chat and a “safe and well” check on those they visit.

The organisation’s connection with some of the most vulnerable members of our communities is what makes Meals on Wheels one of the most valuable volunteer groups in Australia.  The innovative National Meal Guidelines launched by the Minister for Aged Care the Hon Ken Wyatt are a continuation of the Meals on Wheels ethos of delivering meals using fresh, seasonal produce with recipes and menus appropriate for their customers based on sound nutritional principles.

The development and implementation of the guidelines follows a grant from the Federal Government and provides an important and timely opportunity to a consistent approach to enhancing the nutrition, taste, variety and presentation of meals provided for older adults.

I congratulate the President of the Australian Meals on Wheels Association Nelson Mathews and steering group members on the launch of the National Meal Guidelines and thank all the volunteers for delivering meals around the vast electorate of Parkes.

Another step in delivering sweeping reforms to Australia’s country of origin labelling program was completed last week with the Coalition Government’s Competition and Consumer Amendment (Country of Origin) Bill 2016 passing through the Senate.

The passage of this legislation will make it easier for businesses to determine the correct country of origin claim for their product, including when to use ‘made in’ and ‘packed-in’ claims.  These changes complement the country of origin labelling reforms which recently began for food businesses. With the passage of this legislation, businesses producing goods like medicines, textiles, clothing and footwear will also find the criteria for using a ‘made in’ claim clearer and simpler.

The reforms also mean businesses will no longer have to recalculate the relative shares of imported and local production to support their origin claim. This will be particularly important when input prices vary or exchange rates change.

The registered tick of approval for Flying Doctor volunteers and donors to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RDFS) throughout the Parkes Electorate were given a boost this week, with the federal government granting an Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC) Registered Tick to the Flying Doctor.

“With bases in Dubbo and Broken Hill, as well as a presence right across Western New South Wales, the Flying Doctor is a vital service to many communities within the Parkes Electorate,” Parkes Nationals’ MP Mark Coulton said. “Whether it’s the biannual fundraiser at Dubbo or Broken Hill, many Parkes Electorate residents are active donors to and supporters of the Flying Doctor.”