Clarence Nationals State MP for Clarence, Richie Williamson, met with angry Clarence River commercial fishers in Maclean on Thursday amid growing frustration over what he has described as the Minns Labor Government’s “deafening silence” on the future of the industry following the prolonged White Spot outbreak biosecurity restrictions.   Mr Williamson said commercial fishers have been left “high and dry” after the NSW Minister for Agriculture and her Department of Primary Indu

Clarence Nationals State MP for Clarence, Richie Williamson will stand with Clarence River commercial fishers in Maclean to support their calls for the NSW Labor Government to urgently engage with industry and provide clarity and fair financial support for fishing families whose livelihoods are at risk by further White Spot biosecurity restrictions.   Mr Williamson said fishers have been left in limbo by the Minns Labor Government’s failure to respond to correspondence or ack

Four new Probationary Constables will join the ranks of the Clarence and Richmond Valleys following their attestation at the Goulburn Police Academy on Friday, 12 December last year, Clarence Nationals State Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson has announced.   The new officers form part of a wider intake across the Coffs/Clarence and Richmond Police Districts, with one Probationary Constable commencing duties in the Richmond Valley at Casino, and three officers stationed i

NSW Nationals State MP for Clarence Richie Williamson has said it was an honour to present a NSW Premier’s Award to 14-year-old Millie Trustum of Tatham today, recognising her extraordinary courage, leadership, and tireless advocacy and fundraising for childhood cancer research.   Mr Williamson said Millie’s story is one of remarkable strength and selflessness, supported every step of the way by her family.   “Millie has faced challenges that no young person should ever have

NSW Nationals State Member for Clarence Richie Williamson MP has invited members of the local community to come together for a vigil to pay their respects to the innocent victims of the tragic events at Bondi.   “As our nation continues to come to terms with the senseless act of violence we witnessed on Sunday, many people have asked how they can honour those who lost their lives and show support for the families affected,” Mr Williamson said.   “The Dean of Christ Church Cat

Long peak-hour queues and growing frustration for local commuters have prompted NSW Nationals State Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson to call on the NSW Labor Government to reinstate dual-ferry operations at the Bluff Point ferry service at Lawrence.   Mr Williamson has written to NSW Regional Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison seeking a firm commitment to operating two ferries on an ongoing basis — particularly during morning and afternoon peak periods — to ease traffic del

Clarence Valley Council has been successful in securing $14,210 through the NSW Government’s Community War Memorials Fund to support the relocation and restoration of South Grafton’s historic war memorial gates, NSW Nationals State Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson has announced.   The wrought iron gates — originally donated by the South Grafton RSL Sub-Branch and dedicated by Rev C E Nahle — have been a significant feature of the former South Grafton Indoor Pool and Boy

The Nationals MP for Clarence, Richie Williamson, has today blasted the Minns Labor Government for abandoning the Clarence prawn industry as the current biosecurity control order expires and a new, expanded order immediately takes effect.   Mr Williamson said the existing control order will expire on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, with a new control order replacing it without pause, extending the requirement to cook prawns across a new merged control zone area, further crippling t

5 December 2025       Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has congratulated the Grafton Rowing Club on the official opening of their stunning new clubhouse on the banks of the mighty Clarence River.   Mr Williamson said the magnificent building, now a centrepiece of Grafton’s riverside and Memorial Park precinct, is a real credit to the Grafton Rowing Club, the architects, and local builder, Ron van Vyfeyken from Nanobuild who used local tradies to deliver this fantastic

Clarence Nationals MP, Richie Williamson, is backing a community-led petition calling on the NSW Labor Government to urgently reform youth sentencing laws, following growing concern across Casino and the wider community about repeat juvenile offenders.   The ePetition, organised by Casino resident Judith Karam, urges the NSW Government to review and strengthen current legislation to prevent violent and repeat youth offenders from returning to the community without adequate co

Clarence Nationals MP, Richie Williamson will join with members of the local community to support the launch of a community-led ePetition calling on the NSW Government to urgently reform youth sentencing laws following rowing concern across Casino and the wider community about repeat juvenile offenders.   The ePetition, organised by Casino resident, Judith Karam, urges the NSW Government to review and strengthen current legislation to prevent violent and repeat youth offender

Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson today joined local paramedics in Grafton to launch a community e-Petition calling on the NSW Government to urgently support an increase Intensive Care Paramedic (ICP) staffing across the Clarence Valley.   The e-Petition, now live on the NSW Parliament website, urges the Government to upgrade Grafton Ambulance Station from a Category B to a Category A station — a change that would increase staffing to 12 ICP positions and deliver round-

Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson will join local paramedics to launch an ePetition advocating for 24/7 Intensive Care Paramedic (ICP) coverage in the Clarence Valley.   The ePetition calls on the NSW Government to work with and urge NSW Ambulance to upgrade Grafton Ambulance Station from a Category B to a Category A station. This upgrade would increase staffing to 12 ICP positions and ensure ICP coverage 24 hours a day 7 days a week across the entire Clarence Valley.  

The Minns Labor Government has let down families and frontline police across the Richmond and Clarence Valleys by voting down stronger youth crime laws that would have better protected regional communities, according to Nationals MP for Clarence, Richie Williamson.   Last Friday night, Labor rejected amendments put forward by the NSW Nationals to the Children (Criminal Proceedings) and Young Offenders Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 , opting instead for a weakened approach mo

The $263.8 million redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital has taken a major step forward, with the Clarence Valley community now invited to review and provide feedback on planning documents that are on public exhibition, Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has announced.   Mr Williamson said the release of the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) marks an important milestone for the project and provides another opportunity for the community to help shape the future of lo

Nationals Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson, has called on the Minns Labor Government to urgently increase funding to ensure students in Clarence and Richmond Valley schools can access the support class placements they are entitled to.   Speaking in the NSW Parliament, Mr Williamson revealed that up to eight students set to enter South Grafton High School in 2026 are at risk of missing out on crucial support, due to a significant funding shortfall. He warned that the sit

The Clarence River Historical Society has been awarded $12,000 under the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership Program to support a major digitisation project, Clarence Nationals MP, Richie Williamson has announced.   Mr Williamson said the funding will enable the Society to purchase specialised scanning equipment to digitise key areas of its collection, including photographs, paper records, catalogue cards, negatives, and large-scale prints.   “This grant is a fant

Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has welcomed significant investment for two important local projects under Round Three of the Australian Government’s Disaster Ready Fund.   The Iluka community will benefit from more than $3 million in matched funding from Clarence Valley Council to complete the design and construction of 2.1 kilometres of flood-prone sections of Iluka Road—a critical emergency connection route for the town. This upgrade will help ensure residents, eme

The Rotary Club of Upper Richmond will soon be better equipped to support local events and emergency response efforts thanks to a $19,990 grant from the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership Program, announced by Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson.   The funding will allow the club to purchase a new BBQ trailer—making it easier and more efficient for members to transport and prepare food at community gatherings, fundraising events and in times of need.   Mr Wil

Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has slammed the NSW Minns Labor Government for continuing to leave commercial prawn fishers in the Clarence, Evans and Richmond rivers without answers, without support, and without a pathway back to work as the expiry of current biosecurity orders rapidly approaches.   Mr Williamson said affected prawn fishers — who have been unable to fish due to white spot — are still completely in the dark about the NSW Government’s plan beyond the 9