Nationals leader drops in for a cuppa and a chat

By Samantha Elley

A number of business people in the Richmond Valley had a chance for a Q & A session over a cup of tea with Mr Dugald Saunders MP, Leader of the NSW Nationals and Shadow Minister for Regional NSW and Agriculture and Natural Resources last week. He was accompanied

by Clarence MP Richie Williamson.

The meeting was held in the Casino RSM Club and topics raised included the issue of fre ants being so close to the NSW border, the stance of the NSW Nationals on the upcoming Voice referendum and the controversy between Richmond Valley Council and livestock agents over the Casino saleyards.

There was some dispute and discussion around allowing hay to be transported over the QLD-NSW border while the fre ants were a threat.

One cattle producer wanted it to continue as sourcing hay elsewhere was way more expensive and a local hay producer wanted transport to be banned until the problem was solved, as an infestation of fre ants would ruin NSW crops. Suggestions for a mediator to step in between Council and the livestock agents to help resolve the saleyard issues were also discussed.

Mr Saunders agreed the saleyards needed to be open again and soon, as Casino businesses, by extension, were now starting to suffer.

“I’ve been told by some shops that they have had their worst days in 10 years,” he said.

He said this is being caused by less producers coming to the town, selling their cattle at other saleyards and not bringing their custom to local business.

On the topic of the Voice referendum Mr Saunders said the NSW Nationals had no party policy as it was a Federal referendum.

“Talk to the people around you to work out what (you feel) is right,” he said.