Addressing the assembled members, NSW Nationals leader and Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the party had “stepped up to the plate to invest in what we know are vital to our communities”.

“What will be the focus during the third term of the liberals and nationals government? My short answer is people,” he said.

“In regional NSW youth suicide is 66 per cent higher than metropolitan areas, the drug epidemic and ice consumption with access to rehabilitation services few and far between, unemployment rates for young people remains far to high with many young leaving there homes and towns to find work in cities. 

“Necessary skills training which might allow a young person to remain in work can sometimes mean hours of travel, if transport is available and affordable in regional areas.

“We need to recognise these issues, it should be front and centre as we approach a third term. We also need to acknowledge that these issues are largely within the net of state government so the buck stops with us.

The Deputy Premier also said the party had been tested with the recent by-elections in Cootamundra and Murray.

“It was those two by-elections that I believe we drew the line in the sand and said enough was enough and we rolled up our sleeves,” he said.

“Put our differences aside and we got on with the job, holding two seats we value, and today we have two very good members in Steph (Cooke) and Austin (Evans).”

Mr Barilaro also highlighted the support that the National party had provided the Cowra region.

“We’ve seen the results here in Cowra where we provided over $1 million dollars to refurbish the Woodstock War Memorial Hall, complete the parks in the Cowra Peace and Lachlan River precincts, complete the Cowra Nature Based Playground and restore and renovate the community owned and operated Goolagong Log Cabin Hall,” he said.