Yet again this region appears to be without effective representation in the federal political sphere. Our member's voice on this issue is deafening in its absence. 

Tamworth and Inverell are major centres in the region and are fast falling behind Armidale when it comes to high speed internet technology. 

This region could become a major inland business hub if it kept pace with communications technology. Some locals are starting to refer to our bloke as the Member for Rinehart because of his focus on the big end of town rather than the electorate. 

The region is being denied the ability of nurses and doctors to use the NBN to conduct natural video consults with remote patients, monitor life-sustaining medical equipment in patients' homes and run live therapy and exercise sessions with rural patients who would no longer have to travel hundreds of kilometres to capital-city specialists. 

The NBN will speed overall school performance and let students participate in faraway classes using interactive white boarding and video conferencing from their homes. This may sound like a luxury in city areas but in rural areas where small schools can't offer many essential classes because they don't have enough students to justify a teacher, virtual classes will link students across large geographical distances and make otherwise unviable classes possible. Video conferencing, faster internet and the ability to work from home, the list goes on. 

Yet we have members of the Liberal party stating that NBN is not required because it is only used for watching movies. 

The proposed sale of the electricity distribution system and amalgamations of local government will surely test the following of the Nationals and boost that of the Shooters and Fishers.

One only has to recall the way that Richard Torbay wiped the floor with the Nationals when he was first elected and his only policy was non-privatisation of the electricity distribution system. Do not be deluded into thinking this is a state issue only. The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is a federal body and its latest draft determination is devastating for the electricity industry, demanding massive job losses across the state and recommending consumers suffer unreliable electricity supply in return for marginally lower prices. 

A safe reliable electricity system was never an issue when Labor was in power federally. At least our local state member Adam Marshall is doing his utmost to protect this essential industry that is owned by the people of NSW. The National Party is at risk of losing its relevance in the electorate while ever its members waste our time licking the boots of their political masters in the Liberals and supping on their one eyed political dollar driven dogma.

They could perhaps earn their pay by focusing on local grass roots communities and their fundamental requirements like health, education, employment, housing, transport and an even playing field for business. It is after all these communities that vote them in and out.

Robert Walker

Inverell