This package delivered by the Nationals and Liberals includes palliative care training for 300 nurses and allied health staff, 300 scholarships for rural and regional staff to enhance palliative care skills, an additional six palliative care specialists in rural and regional areas, two specialist relief positions, 30 additional palliative care nurses providing care in hospitals, homes and nursing homes.

The government is implementing comprehensive and integrated palliative care services in line with community expectations and improving medication management for patients through community pharmacy initiatives.

Rural and Regional Health Parliamentary Secretary Leslie Williams has asked for nurses and other allied health staff to come forward and apply for the training and scholarships, and I encourage our local nurses to consider applying for this vital upskilling opportunity.

I attended the Orana Relay 4 Life earlier this year and publicly pledged my support for the “ICare4Palliative Care” campaign.

This is a cause very close to many, including Dubbo resident, Susie Hill, who visited my office last week expressing her thanks to me and the NSW Government for listening to the community and delivering on a package that will make a difference to lives of many.

Mrs Hill is a big supporter of the Cancer Council and a passionate advocate for the ICare4Palliative Care campaign.

On behalf of the community I would like to thank Susie for her passion and dedication in support of others, without people like her, and the continued advocacy of organisations like Cancer Council NSW, this package may not have become a reality.

The NSW Government’s strong economic performance has enabled this record investment in regional palliative care services – an additional $100 million over the next four years, including $17.4 million to be committed in the 2017/18 NSW State Budget.

This time last year Gladys Berejiklian was preparing to deliver the NSW State Budget, little did she know it would be her last.

The now Premier of NSW, fresh from her visit to the Dubbo electorate, will sit behind the Member for Hawkesbury, Dominic Perrottet, as he delivers his first budget as our state’s freshly minted Treasurer.

Regional NSW is already benefiting from the government’s strong economic management, among other key initiatives is the $1 billion investment to secure our water and round three of fixing country roads has just been announced.

This will give councils the chance to get their hands on a share of $100 million to help fix roads, bridges and improve freight hubs which will deliver significant benefits to local communities.

With continued investment by the NSW Government into critical areas such as health, roads, education, infrastructure and continued improvement of service delivery to our communities, I am glad to say that the future of our region is bright.