The Nationals conference held in Port Macquarie on Friday and Saturday has been dubbed a success, with the Port Macquarie Branch winning the Branch of the Year award.
Described as the largest annual political gathering in regional NSW, more than 400 Nationals members hit town for the party’s Annual General Conference.
Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams said, “From my point of view, the conference did exactly what it set out to do and that is to hear from members from across the state who had put forward motions for debate. These motions will now set the agenda for potential future policy direction,” Mrs Williams said.
“Locally the Port Macquarie branch was successful in getting a number of motions passed, including calling for a review of Area of Need status to assist with the shortage of doctors in regional areas, acknowledging the concerns of some members of the community regarding coal seam gas exploration, as well as calling on the NSW Government to support the expansion of volunteer co-ordinators particularly in the health sector.
“We were also successful in adopting a motion to change organ donation laws from requiring written approval via organ donation registration to an opt-out system which has seen organ donations rise substantially in overseas countries which have a similar system,” Mrs Williams said.
“More than 70 motions entered by Nationals branches from around NSW were debated. This is grassroots politics in action.
“The Port Macquarie branch of the Nationals also won the Branch of the Year award for the largest increase in membership during the past twelve months.”
