Of course it wouldn't suit them to be scrutinised and held accountable, they've been happily dismantling democracy and dictating to us.

Given the technology employed for these Upper House sittings, which included a dial-in WebEx facility, health advice cannot be reasonably argued as an excuse.

NSW is the only parliament in Australia which has not resumed sittings.

Other parliaments have adapted to COVID-19 by implementing a virtual facility for members to remotely and safely access sittings.

The sole government representative who bothered to turn up, The Hon. Trevor Khan MLC, relied on an historic Standing Order which stipulated the House cannot sit if there isn't a Minister or Parliamentary Secretary present.

Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW The Hon. Sam Farraway MLC had not bothered to show up, demonstrating a lack of commitment to representing the interests of country folk in the parliament.

This drew criticism from each the opposition and the cross-bench, though of course it's fallen on deaf, and defiant, ears of the Berejiklian-Barilaro Government.

To be frank, It's an insult to the citizens of New South Wales.

In the Premier's daily press conference on August 21, 2021, COVID briefing she said, "...I'm the Premier of the largest State in Australia, and I expect to be held to account, I expect every decision that we (NSW Government) take to be scrutinised, to be commented upon...".

If the Premier were genuine, she would have insisted that her Upper House members facilitate the sittings, as scheduled.

The Premier has ignored the 23,734 citizens who've petitioned the NSW Parliament for the return of Parliament.

This is NSW Parliament's second-largest supported e-petition, which called on the Government to return NSW Parliament.

It's clear the Premier and her Government have no interest in transparency, nor allowing themselves to be subject to scrutiny or held to account by the members of Parliament elected by the citizens of our State.

I look forward to a return to Parliament so democracy is restored and that I, as your elected representative, can raise issues affecting our community and hold the Berejiklian-Barilaro Government to account.

A huge shout out to our nurses, doctors, paramedics, health and medical professionals, and hospital and healthcare facilities' ancillary staff who are working hard in very trying conditions.

They are all having to endure wearing plastic gowns, gloves and masks all day.

Wearing all this PPE is very uncomfortable to say the least, and it's very exhausting for health workers by the end of their shifts.

We appreciate all that they do to care for the sick and injured in their care.

I realise that many of them are working overtime and extra shifts to meet the increasing demand.

On behalf of the entire community, thank you!

Delta has now taken root across much of the State, and until we meet the threshold of 70 per cent double vaccination rate among the vaccination-eligible population (ages 16 years and over) we will be subject to health order restrictions which limit our pre-COVID lifestyle and activities.

As of last Sunday some regional Local Government Areas which have been free of active COVID cases for 14 days will be free from stay at home orders, including Cabonne, Forbes and Parkes LGAs.

For Orange and other regional LGAs, such as Bathurst and Dubbo, stay-at-home orders will extend until 14 days with an active COVID case or until we arrive at the 70 per cent double-dose vaccination threshold.

The NSW Government have unveiled their roadmap to freedom. The relative 'freedoms' for vaccinated adults will come into effect on the Monday after NSW hits the 70 per cent double dose target and include.

There have been some inconsistencies identified in these eased restrictions, which unfairly impact some businesses.

Under the easing of restrictions, which will initiate upon reaching the 70 per cent double-dose vaccination rate, hospitality venues will be allowed to reopen subject to one person per 4sqm inside and one person per 2sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.

However, personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can only open with one person per 4sqm, capped at just five clients per premises - irrespective of their capacity!

This is inconsistent, as there are many hairdressing and nail salons which can cater for more than five clients and still meet the 4sqm rule.

The rules are meant to stop the spread of COVID-19, and hairdressers typically operate on scheduled booking which can better manage people than a pub with people wandering around.

I've asked the Health Minister to review the proposed restrictions and apply common sense.

Each year we celebrate and acknowledge the many amazing women in our community through this State Government awards program.

Nominations for the 2022 NSW Women of the Year Awards are now open for a number of categories, including: NSW Woman of Excellence, NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year, Aware Super NSW Community Hero of the Year, NSW Young Woman of the Year, NSW Regional Woman of the Year, and The One to Watch Award, supported by the Advocate for Children and Young People.

I encourage you to identify and nominate local women for these awards, which recognise their significant contributions to our community.

Nominations close on Monday, September 27, 2021 and can be submitted here: https://bit.ly/38LiHBg

Fee-free training is available to assist jobseekers to upskill to obtain work and assisting businesses with upskilling through JobTrainer fully-funded training.

It is an opportune time to maximise our time in lockdown and to take advantage of this free training.

Click on the link to learn more about the program: https://bit.ly/3h2339e

My office remains contactable to assist you during business hours, Monday to Friday, by phoning 6362 5199 or email at orange@parliament.nsw.gov.au

With the change in weather it's expected that mouse activity will prevail and even intensify.

To help ensure baiting is maintained, the mouse bait rebate program is still current.

If you're a resident, small business owner or primary producer and you've purchased mouse baits, traps or cleaning materials from February 1, 2021 to combat the mouse plague, you may be eligible to claim the NSW mouse control rebate.

Eligible households may apply for rebates up to $500.

For leased properties, the tenant has the first right to claim.

Eligible small businesses and primary producers may apply for rebates up to $1000.

Applications will close on September 27, 2021, or when funds near their allocation.

For more information on eligibility and to apply for a claim, visit the below link: https://www.nsw.gov.au/initiative/mouse-control-support-program/households-and-small-businesses