Day after day, Bill Shorten is on the front foot making many a grand statement referencing his belief in what a future Australia may look like. 

Turnbull’s responses are at best seen as weak and lack authority.

This might be OK for a dinner party, Prime Minister, but when leading the country more energy and enthusiasm is required if you don’t mind.

Round up your party rogues that are trying to force a parliamentary vote re gay marriage, take head on the cost of energy crises that currently exists as well as the issue of becoming a republic without much more discussion.

You may lead your party but Australia belongs to those that put you there and frankly your performances to date can best be judged by your standing in the polls. 

So into the ring you go, PM, and start swinging.

I have a feeling that sort of action would be much alien to you.

In June the NSW government handed down the biggest budget for regional NSW in the state’s history.

The centrepiece of the announcement was the $1.3 billion Regional Growth Fund.

The Regional Growth Fund is made up of a number of separate funds, with each fund dedicated to a specific area of need.

One of those is the Stronger Country Communities Fund, which has $200 million to invest in projects chosen by local communities. 

The Stronger Country Communities Fund is the first of its kind in regional NSW, using ‘choice-modelling’ to build the projects communities want and need.

The Stronger Country Communities Fund is intended to support the refurbishment or development of new or existing community facilities including libraries, parks, walking and cycle pathways, health centres, halls and playgrounds.

Now is the time to apply. Don’t leave it until the last minute.

I strongly encourage community groups to speak to their state members of parliament and local councils about submitting applications that will make a difference to their local community.

The Stronger Country Communities Fund will support projects of at least $100,000, but typically in the range of $250,000 to $1 million. 

Applications for the first tranche of the fund close August 9 so get in soon and make your voice count.

For more information on how to apply visit: www.industry.nsw.gov.au/invest-in-nsw/regional-opportunities/stronger-country-communities-fund

Counter terrorism police have allegedly foiled a plot to bring down a plane using a bomb hidden inside a meat grinder. Who travels with a meat grinder?

There is a twisted logic to the choice of this meat grinder. The meat industry is built on terror. Animals bred to be slaughtered have few legal protections. Young cows are branded with hot irons, their horns are cut or burned off  – all without painkillers. Chickens spend their short lives in filthy sheds with tens of thousands of other birds. Piglets are torn away from their distraught mothers, their tails are chopped off, the ends of their teeth are snipped off with pliers and males are castrated with no pain relief. 

We are surrounded by terror, and the symbolism of the meat grinder bomb reflects the words of Pythagoras: "For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love."