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Media Releases

Labor Closes Business Connect on Eve of Small Business Month

September 29, 2025

Local hit for The Entrance retailers, trades and start-ups. The Minns Labor Government has doubled down on shutting the successful Business Connect program tomorrow, one day before Small Business Month begins.

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Victory for Regional Travellers as Discovery Pass pause ends.

July 17, 2025

The Hon. Aileen MacDonald MLC has welcomed the quiet return of the 3 and 6-month NSW TrainLink Discovery Passes to the booking system, describing it as a win for regional communities and proof of the power of people speaking up.

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Minns Labor Government shuts down lifeline for small business owners.

July 14, 2025

The Minns Labor Government has delivered a blow to small businesses in Country North in its recent Budget by axing funding for the highly successful Business Connect program.

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NSW Liberals and Nationals move to criminalise sexually explicit deepfakes.

July 9, 2025

The NSW Coalition will introduce a Bill in Parliament to criminalise the production and/or distribution of sexually explicit deepfakes, following disturbing reports of female students, teachers and workers being digitally targeted across the state.

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MacDonald Sponsors Petition Calling for Return of Discovery Train Passes

July 7, 2025

The Hon. Aileen MacDonald MLC has announced she will sponsor a petition to the NSW Legislative Council demanding the reinstatement of the popular 3 and 6-month NSW TrainLink Discovery Passes, which the Government recently removed without consultation.

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“Labor’s Quiet Cut to Country Rail Sparks Backlash”: MacDonald Calls for Return of Discovery Train Pass

June 16, 2025

The Hon. Aileen MacDonald MLC, has today renewed calls for the NSW Labor Government to immediately reinstate the 3- and 6-month NSW TrainLink Discovery Passes, describing the removal as a “quiet cut” that disproportionately hurts regional communities.

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NSW Upper House Motion Recognises Lifesaving Work of the Children’s Cancer Institute

May 28, 2025

Today in the NSW Parliament, Shadow Minister for Youth Justice and Member for the Country North Province, The Hon. Aileen MacDonald OAM MLC, moved a Notice of Motion recognising the pioneering work of the Children’s Cancer Institute. Australia’s only independent medical research institute solely dedicated to curing childhood cancer.

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Celebrating Outstanding Regional Leadership: Penny Lamaro Recognised at NSW Women of the Year Awards

March 6, 2025

The outstanding contributions of Penny Lamaro to regional communities were recognised at the NSW Women of the Year Awards, where she was named a finalist in the NSW Regional Woman of the Year category and awarded Local Woman of the Year for Northern Tablelands.

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Statement on the retirement of Leslie Williams

January 22, 2025

Leslie Williams has faithfully served the people of Port Macquarie for nearly 14 years. Lesliewas a local member who was not afraid to do the hard work to get things done.

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Aileen is an experienced regional small business operator and community advocate.