I find history but especially political history fascinating. Just 7 years ago at the 2011 election, the NSW Nationals issued a glossy election brochure titled "Peter Draper's Plan for the Tamworth Electorate" authorised by Nationals MLC Ben Franklin who was then The Nationals State Director and attacking the record of former Independent MP for Tamworth, Peter Draper.

The brochure especially made reference to the Grain Valley Way (Road) and in bold print stated "Sealing of the Grain Valley Way between Mullaley and Boggabri - FAILED".  

Now we see Kevin Anderson and Federal MP's Michael McCormack and Mark Coulton walking the unsealed road suggesting they hope to have a solution to the problem.  

We have had 7 years of a State Coalition and almost 5 of a Federal Coalition and only now has the road become an issue when Nationals so expediently used the issue to provide traction to Kevin Anderson's 2011 election campaign and curry favour with the fine people of Mullaley and elsewhere.  

I trust this will be the last announcement before we see some prompt action otherwise I anticipate seeing a 2019 election brochure featuring the words “Sealing of Grain Valley Road - FAILED.

Mark Rodda,

Tamworth

Interesting column by Fiona Simpson in the latest NRMA magazine.

She points out that there is a $1.6 Billion backlog on rural infrastructure, including rural roads maintenance and upgrades.

Compare this to the anger in Sydney because people realise the $2 Billion plus stadium tear down and rebuild plan is just plain stupid.

Why can our state government not see beyond the sandstone curtain?

Can you imagine the work and investment opportunities that would arise if our state government decided to redirect that expenditure to the regions?

Andrew Brown,

Bowling Alley Point

For the last four months I have met with people from all over NSW to talk about the need to put schools and hospitals before Sydney stadiums.

I hear the anger at the Berejiklian-Barilaro Government’s Sydney stadium splurge as communities cry out for investment in hospitals, schools, water security and local sport and community facilities. 

That is why I have announced that Labor will take back $300 million from the $2.7 billion Sydney stadium splurge to air condition more than 600 schools across NSW.

Labor’s Cool Schools policy will provide air conditioning to thousands of classrooms in regional NSW for the first time.

Under the Liberals and Nationals less than 10 per cent of schools in NSW are entitles to air conditioning. It’s time to do better.

Our kids cannot learn property in hot, sweltering conditions.

I call on the Berejiklian-Barilaro government to do the right thing by regional NSW and adopt Labor’s policy to deliver the school facilities our children deserve.

Luke Foley,

Leader of the NSW Labor Opposition

To all the staff at Tamworth Hospital, thank you for all your care and kindness during my stay for three days recently. 

I was very sick but the kind way I was treated made my recovery faster. 

I cannot thank the staff enough for all the wonderful care I received.

Jean Hyde,

Tamworth