Steph Cooke MP
Member for Cootamundra

Monday, 20 October 2025 Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, is demanding that the NSW Labor Government take immediate action to support drought-affected farmers in southern New South Wales. The latest figures from the Department of Primary Industries show that the Cootamundra electorate is 99 per cent drought-affected, following 12 months of deteriorating conditions. As a result, farmers across the state’s south are battling record-high freight costs, water and fodder sh

Thursday, 17 October 2024 Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, has spoken with farmers impacted by severe frost as preparations for the...

Monday, 16 September 2024 INNOVATION CENTRAL AT FARMLINK OPEN DAY Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, joined Southern NSW growers,...

Tuesday, 14 May 2024 Recognising the vital role agricultural research & development plays in the productivity of our primary...

Monday, 8 January 2024 Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke visited Bethungra Dam to lend a hand during the recent fish restocking...

Friday, 14 April 2023 The CSIRO and NSW Farmers have issued warnings about an expected increase in mice numbers heading into the cooler...

Tuesday, 28 February 2023 Fee-free training will be rolled out to the livestock sector in the region and across NSW thanks to the...

​​Monday, 18 July 2022​ An $18 million compensation package has been developed for registered beekeepers affected by the varroa mite outbreak, under an agreement reached by the Commonwealth and State governments and industry. The National Management Group (NMG) for Emergency Plant Pests has also endorsed a National Response Plan to eradicate Varroa Destructor from NSW. Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke welcomed the support and encouraged local beekeepers to keep doing thei

​​Thursday, 24 September 2020​ Finding critical workers for the upcoming harvest season will be easier for local farmers thanks to the inclusion of the new Agricultural Workers Code into NSW Public Health Orders relating to COVID-19. Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said she welcomed the move which should assist local farmers in securing workers at harvest time. “This change to the Public Health Order means eligible workers have a pathway to enter NSW, there will be restr

​​Monday, 3 August 2020​ Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has today welcomed the appointment of Daryl Quinlivan to the role of NSW Agriculture Commissioner, labelling him a strong ally for farmers in the Cootamundra electorate. Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall announced Mr Quinlivan’s appointment, and Ms Cooke said that it was yet another election commitment fulfilled by the NSW Nationals in Government. “Farmers in the Cootamundra electorate have today gained a form

​​Friday, 5 April 2019​ Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has strongly condemned reports of animal activist demonstrations expected to be held across Australia early next week, sparked by the anniversary of a film which claimed to ‘expose the dark underbelly of modern animal agriculture’. Ms Cooke said farming communities in the Cootamundra electorate were hard-working people united in their professionalism and respect of animals. “The people behind this film and these demon

​​Wednesday, 21 November 2018​ Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has sung the praises of farmers in the Cootamundra electorate on National Agriculture Day for their contributions to the NSW primary industries sector. Cootamundra electorate farmers contributed to the state’s primary industries sector estimated output of $17.5 billion in 2017-18, despite the ongoing drought. Ms Cooke said the current seasonal conditions mean our farmers are facing some challenges, but buoyant

Friday, March 23 2018 Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke has welcomed the addition of an international centre for ag-tech research and innovation to regional NSW’s backyard, set to deliver results for our primary producers. Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair this week officially opened the Global Ag-Tech Ecosystem (GATE) in Orange. “How wonderful that this world-class resource is located in the country, where it belongs, and so close to our electorate of Cootamun

Monday, March 19 2018 Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is encouraging the community to have a say on the management of pest animals in our electorate. Ms Cooke said the impact of pest animals on primary production and on our natural environment can be severe. “The draft regional strategic pest animal plans have been developed and are currently on public exhibition,” she said. “The Cootamundra electorate, which falls under the Riverina draft plan, is geographically vast