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The Sydney Labor NSW Government’s latest cuts and broken promises are threatening the existence of great regional newspapers like the Clarence Valley Independent and the Northern Rivers Times according to local Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson.

In the run-up to the last election Labor Premier Chris Minns promised to

Victims Of Sydney Labor Cuts

deliver an additional $3 million in government advertising for regional newspapers,” Mr Williamson said.

“But instead, under Labor we’ve seen NSW Government advertising in regional publications drop by a staggering 40 per cent in the last 12 months.”

Mr Williamson said the Government had no problem paying for outrageously expensive full-page ads in the Sydney Telegraph, but was canning modest spends to provide vital community information to Clarence and Richmond Valley residents in the Clarence Valley Independent and the Northern Rivers Times.

“I support both of these excellent publications by advertising community information and it is critical that the Sydney Labor Government do the same,” Mr Williamson insisted.

The consequences are already being felt with the Moree Champion, Tenterfeld Star, The Inverell Times, Glen Innes Examiner, Country Leader, Dungog Chronicle, Gloucester Advocate and MiltonUlladulla Times all imminently ceasing publishing a weekly print edition.

Mr Williamson said massive cost of living pressures under Sydney and Canberra Labor were hurting small businesses as well as families, but urged local business to advertise in their local newspaper.

“Advertising in local newspapers works,” he concluded.