It was great to see locals and visitors in their thousands travel to Mudgee for the event.

It was special to have 34 players from the NRL selected in the city and country sides and wearing their representative jerseys for the first time.

Mudgee has an outstanding record, having hosted the event in 2012, with the Parramatta Eels versus the Gold Coast Titans following a year later.

The result has been a resounding vote of confidence in the quality of the Glen Willow Regional Sports Stadium.

Well done Mudgee.

It was encouraging to see the NSW Energy Minister meet with the state’s energy retailers last week to discuss NSW customers facing hardship and ways to get the best deal possible from their chosen energy retailer.

Energy consumers across the state feel they aren’t getting the best value on energy and with prices rising due to national energy market issues the government is looking out for the people of NSW.

The minister discussed options in regard to helping customers facing hardship and how they can access rebates, advice and flexible payment offers.

The minister’s meeting with energy retailers also involved discussion on how energy plans could be made easier to understand so that it is simpler for customers to compare offers, save money and avoid additional fees and charges.

I encourage consumers to shop around when it comes to finding the best deals.

I also wish to remind the electorate about the NSW Governments Family Energy Rebate.

This rebate helps NSW households with dependent children to cover the cost of their energy bills.

Applications for the 2016/17 rebate close on Thursday June 15.

To access you eligibility and to apply online visit www.resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au/energy-consumers/financial-assistance/rebates/family-energy-rebate

Keep an eye on your letter box in June. I have an information booklet being sent out across the electorate highlighting our tourism industry, its benefit on our local economy and the jobs our tourism industry supports.

People often take for granted the beauty and value on their own back yard.

The Dubbo electorate has lots to offer locals, domestic and international visitors.

With the air connection between Mudgee and Sydney, and Dubbo’s direct flight links to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Newcastle, Canberra and Broken Hill, the Dubbo electorate is one of the most, if not the most, connected electorates in the state.

Almost 13 million people live within a 90 minute flight time to Dubbo and with recent investment into attracting international guests, particularly from Hong Kong, visitor numbers to our backyard will only continue to grow further supporting local economies and local jobs.

Dubbo will play host on June 2 to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

The Premier will spend the day in Dubbo meeting with locals, small business operators and meeting with representatives from councils across the region.

I look forward to meeting with the Premier in Parliament this week to lock in the schedule for the visit.

Premier Berejiklian has been to Dubbo numerous times before, but she is excited to come back for her first visit as Premier.

Until next week.