Nursing body demands urgent Medicare overhaul for remote Australia
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) has formally called on the federal government to overhaul Medicare structures, claiming current policies are restricting equitable access to primary care for millions of residents in rural and remote Australia.
“A tough operator”: Bob Katter heads south to back Michelle Milthorpe in Farrer by-election
The Hon Bob Katter MP, the Member for Kennedy, has endorsed independent MP Michelle Milthorpe for the upcoming Farrer By-Election ... Of Mrs Milthorpe, Mr Katter said: “Michelle’s taken some hard hits and she’s a tough operator, and she’s very knowledgeable.”
Farrer’s 25-year Liberal stronghold up for grabs: Meet the candidates fighting for the electorate
In the lead up to the Farrer by-election on May 9, Back Country Bulletin takes a look at those candidates who have stepped forward to contest the seat.
The fight for Farrer unfolds
The Farrer by-election, triggered by the resignation of former Liberal leader Sussan Ley in February 2026, is shaping up to be a highly contested race. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has weighed in, commenting on what he described as the "chaos" within the Liberal Party... Speaking at the NSW Labor Country Conference in Orange on Saturday (February 14, 2026), the Prime Minister took a jab at the new Liberal leadership.
Big energy, big decisions: Public hearing set for Dinawan Solar Farm as wind stage approaches milestone
The future of the Riverina’s energy landscape is moving into a critical phase this month as the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) prepares to descend on Coleambally for a public meeting regarding the Dinawan Solar Farm.
The complexities of managing the waters of Menindee Lakes
The Menindee Lakes system is often described as the beating heart of the Darling-Baaka river system, but in the halls of Canberra and Sydney, it is also a vital "battery" for the Murray-Darling Basin. As we move into 2026, the lakes find themselves at the centre of a major policy shift - the "rescoping" of a controversial water-saving project that has pitted engineering efficiency against cultural survival.
From the paddock to the Parliament: How the new NSW gun laws impact you
In a marathon pre-Christmas session that stretched into the early hours of December 24, 2025, the NSW Parliament passed the most significant tightening of firearm legislation since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. The Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 was fast-tracked by the Minns Government following the horrific Bondi Beach terrorist attack earlier that month.
Asbestos scare hits wind energy sector
The safety of workers and the integrity of renewable energy projects across the state has been called into question last week, after a nationwide audit was launched following the discovery of asbestos in wind turbine components. The finding points to a lapse in compliance with Australian import laws, and has raised concerns the future of planned energy project development in the Hay and Balranald region.
Barwon MP’s bold plan: Trading gaol time for National Park cadets
Member for Barwon Roy Butler MP is continuing to talk to stakeholders, in his push to set up residential alternatives to sending kids to gaol ... He has long argued for a mandated, residential option for young offenders - something between being released back into the community and being sent to custody.
Riverina set to shine: Rainbow on the Plains returns to Hay with star lineup and ‘Transition’ theme
The annual Rainbow on the Plains Festival is set to return to Hay from Thursday, November 13th to Sunday, November 16th, 2025, operating under the theme of "Transition" ... The festival, which celebrates the LGBTIQA+ community and rural inclusion, has become a key date on the Riverina's events calendar...
