An honour to be re-elected

I feel honoured to have been re-elected in the NSW Parliament representing the electorate of Peats.
Electors are thanked for the confidence they have shown in me and I give all residents my assurance that I will continue to represent them to the best of my ability.
The electorate is a very diverse one and covers rural as well as urban areas.
Mangrove Mountain, where local residents are currently facing the trauma of the serious outbreak of the dreaded Newcastle disease, lies within the boundaries of Peats.
This is the worst known exotic disease outbreak in Australia which, I hasten to point out, does not affect humans but is highly contagious among poultry and birdlife.
Fortunately, tests have revealed that the disease has not affected our beautiful and unique native birdlife.
Over 1000 staff have been involved in the concerted efforts to eradicate the disease - some of them come from far-flung areas of NSW, such as Bourke, Cobar and Moree, while others are from interstate.
I spoke to an Urgent Motion in Parliament last week on the Newcastle Disease outbreak on Mangrove Mountain which was raised by the Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Land and Water Conservation, Richard Amery.
The motion placed on the record the excellent work being carried out by NSW Agriculture and their agencies and volunteers.
It also called on the Federal Government to clarify income assistance being offered to growers and urged the major banks to follow Westpac's lead in allowing poultry farmers to suspend mortgage arrangements until the emergency situation passed.
Also in Parliament I acknowledged the diligence and patience of Mangrove Mountain residents who throughout the whole operation have demonstrated their ability to rise above the crisis.
I also thanked Mr Amery for his prompt response to the outbreak and for accompanying me on a visit to the local Disease Control Centre at Kariong and to some of the affected farms.
Let us hope that upon completion of this massive, yet necessary, exercise, the local residents will soon be able to resume their normal lives.