But I think we are all really happy that we get a chance to take a breath, spend time with our families and just turn the engine off for a little while.

Next year with both a state and federal election it will be busy on a political front and I hope it coincides with an end to the drought on a weather front.

I believe next year will see further massive opportunities for our electorate with the finalisation of the APVMA in Armidale, the completion of the Scone bypass and Bolivia Hill realignment, and the success of the new Virgin flight training school in Tamworth, with the completion of the Inverell and Scone saleyards upgrades, and the continued expansion of the renewable energy generation in Glen Innes.

But anyway let’s leave all that for next year and just enjoy Christmas.

All the best and god bless.

-Member for New England, Special Envoy for Drought Assistance and Recovery, Chair of Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources, Barnaby Joyce.