The Hon. AILEEN MacDONALD (10:07): I move:

(1)That this House notes that:

(a)on 30 April 2024 and 1 May 2024 Business NSW held the inaugural New England North West Regional Leadership Summit in Tamworth;

(b)the summit was designed to foster leadership development and to drive regional growth;

(c)the summit successfully connected business leaders from across the New England North West region;

(d)the summit strongly supported local solutions for regional development; and

(e)the following attended the summit:

(i)the Hon. Aileen MacDonald, OAM, MLC;

(ii)Diane Gray, Regional Director, Business NSW New England North West;

(iii)Councillor Russell Webb, Tamworth Regional Mayor;

(iv)Councillor Robert Bell, Uralla Shire Mayor;

(v)Tim Coates, President, Business NSW New England North West Regional Advisory Council;

(vi)Peter Baines, OAM;

(vii)David Harding, Executive Director Policy and Advocacy, Business NSW; and

(viii)Julian Arndt, Director, Australian Business Lawyers and Advisors.

(2)That this House further notes that:

(a)the summit's theme was "Leading the way matters";

(b)leadership for the region should be sought from within;

(c)opportunities for the region should focus on agriculture, manufacturing and engineering; and

(d)the housing shortage in the region requires increasing affordable housing options, exploring alternative housing models and investment in infrastructure.

Motion agreed to.