For several years, I have been raising concerns about whether theMental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT) is giving sufficient weight to community safety and the concerns of victims when making decisions about forensic mental health patients.

The recent reported death of 74-year-old Quang My Pham in Western Sydney has reinforced why these concerns deserve serious attention. While the circumstances are still subject to investigation, I have written to the Minister for Mental Health requesting an urgent review into reports that the alleged offender was a recently released forensic mental health patient.

This is not about opposing rehabilitation. It’s about ensuring there is an appropriate balance between rehabilitation, victim welfare and community safety.

For years, victims and families have shared their experiences with me, describing a system where they feel their concerns are heard but not always meaningfully considered.

One such case is that of Wendy Robinson, who has spent years attending MHRT hearings to advocate for her family’s safety following the murder of her parents by a family member found not guilty by reason of mental illness. After years of lobbying, I am pleased that the NSW Parliament’s Law and Safety Committee has now agreed to conduct an inquiry into the MHRT following my formal request earlier this year.

The inquiry will examine whether the current system adequately protects victims and communities, provides sufficient transparency and accountability, and strikes the right balance between patient rehabilitation and public safety. I will continue advocating for stronger oversight, greater transparency and reforms that ensure victims’ voices are genuinely considered indecisions that may affect public safety.

Our communities deserve confidence that appropriate safeguards are in place, and victims deserve confidence that their safety remains a central consideration in every decision.

Cheers, Phil

AusAlert is a new national warning system that uses the latest technology to send emergency messages to compatible mobile devices.

It will be ready to use in October 2026, but before it launches, the system needs to be tested.

On Monday 27 July, your mobile devices, such as mobile phones, tablets and smart watches, may receive a test alert.

The test times across Australian time zones are:

• 2:00pm AEST (QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS)

• 1:30pm ACST (SA, NT, Broken Hill NSW)

• 12:00pm AWST (WA)

The message will vibrate and include a loud, siren-like sound that lasts about 10 seconds.

If this could disrupt you or cause you or a loved one to feel unsafe, please turn off your mobile devices or switch them to aeroplane mode before the scheduled test time in your location, and leave them off for at least one hour.

As this is just a test, you don’t need to do anything, but in an actual disaster you should follow the alert instructions to keep yourself and others safe.

To learn what an AusAlert sounds like, visit ausalert.gov.au

Child safety will be in the spotlight this term with a new road safety campaign being rolled out across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils that aims to educate parents and care givers about the rules and how to correctly use the ‘No Parking’ (drop off/pick up) zones at local schools.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor said, “Drivers will notice the installation of the corflute pole wraps at each ‘No Parking’ (drop off/pick up) zone. They are brightly coloured, located at eye level when you are in a vehicle and remind you of the rules that apply.

“A ‘No Parking’ sign means that you can only stop on a length of road or in an area to which the ‘No Parking’ sign applies to drop off or pick up passengers.

“You can’t stay in the zone longer than two minutes and the driver has to be within three metres of the vehicle at all times. The sign will tell you what times the zone is operational,” Ms Suitor said.

Ms Suitor said it is also important to understand the rules for ‘No Stopping’ signs.

A ‘No Stopping’ sign means that the driver of a vehicle must not stop at any time on a length of road or in an area to which the ‘No Stopping’ sign applies – not for a minute, not for a second, not at all.

“‘No Stopping’ signs are installed in areas where clear sight is required for safety reasons, such as on the approach or departure to crossings or at intersections.

“Line of sight around schools is critical to both motorists and pedestrians alike.

When vehicles obstruct that line of sight, tragedies can occur, particularly with small children who are so difficult to see,” Ms Suitor said.

“So, help keep our local kids safe and abide by the parking signs,” Ms Suitor said.

The Parkes QUE Club Inc is calling for stallholders to take part in this year’s Open Gardens and Market Day, which is set for Sunday, 11 October. The event is a highlight on the local calendar, bringing together garden lovers, makers, families, and visitors for a day filled with colour, creativity, and community spirit.

A selection of beautiful gardens in Parkes will be open to the public, offering a chance to explore unique outdoor spaces while supporting the Parkes QUE Club Inc and its ongoing community service projects. A vibrant market atmosphere will accompany the garden tours, with stalls dotted throughout the Parkes Racecourse.

Organisers are seeking a wide variety of stallholders, including: plant growers, seedlings, succulents, and garden-related products handmade crafts, art, jewellery, and artisan good local produce, preserves, honey, olive oil, etc

Community groups and hobby clubs stallholders will have the opportunity to meet new customers, showcase their work, and contribute to a cherished local event that directly supports the charitable efforts of the Parkes QUE Club Inc.

A club spokesperson said, “The day is a wonderful celebration of generosity and community pride — and our stallholders help make it truly special.” Stalls will operate throughout the day on Sunday, 11 October, with modest stallholder fees contributing to the club’s fundraising goals.

Interested stallholders are encouraged to book early. For enquiries or registrations, contact Donna 0427 622 907, or Denise 0481 991 882, or the Club’s email address parkesqueclub@gmail.com Regular updates, garden previews, and event information will be shared on the Parkes QUE Club Inc Facebook page, helping stallholders and visitors stay informed as the event approaches.

By Lynn Rogers

Aunty Francis pictured in the centre, at the Day 1 clap stick workshop.

Lifestyle Solutions in Parkes proudly celebrated NAIDOC by hosting a series of engaging cultural workshops after securing a grant from AANSW. The workshops held over four days, brought together children, families, carers, elders and the wider community to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Day 1

A clap stick workshop held with the KJ’s Miilu’s Kyah Turnbull and Jake Smith, where participants sanded back and designed their very own clap sticks. The Parkes Rotary Club then treated everyone to a delicious sausage sizzle lunch afterwards.

Day 2

Ngaanha Arts Katlyn Turnbull hosted an incredible canvas art workshop. Every chair was filled, as the participants showed off their artistic talents! Followed by a warm, hearty lunch from the slow cookers, including chicken and vegetable soup, kangaroo curry with rice, and creamy tomato and basil soup. It was great to see a few adventurous people step outside their comfort zones and give the roo curry a try!

Day 3

LSS set up a stall at the Nations of Origin community event held by PCYC, where LSS partnered with Crumb & Frost by Carly. The design your own NAIDOC cookie activity was a huge hit with the kids! It was wonderful to see so many creative designs and smiling faces.

Day 4

Featured a fantastic traditional fishing net weaving workshop with Alisha Lonsdale from Arts Out West. Alisha shared the history of how Aboriginal people traditionally used bark fibres, twisting and weaving them into strong fishing nets, before guiding everyone through creating their very own big community net. It was a hands-on cultural experience that sparked great conversations and appreciation for the knowledge and skills passed down through generations.