THE NATIONALS TO STAND STRONG AND CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR REGIONAL AUSTRALIA

After careful consideration, The Nationals have agreed that now is not the right time to be re-entering a Coalition agreement with the Liberal Party after the Federal election.

During the last term of Parliament, The Nationals fought hard for a package of sensible and important policies that will benefit regional Australia including the Dawson electorate.

These were adopted as Coalition policies and were strongly supported by the constituents of Dawson during the election.

“Following several National party room meetings, and discussions with the Leader of the Liberal Party Sussan Ley, it has become clear that we as the National Party do not have the assurances needed on four principal policies to form an ongoing Coalition Agreement.” Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox said.

“The Nationals cannot in good conscience give up on our commitments to regional Australia, and the good people of Dawson.”

“I fully back the National Party leadership team who tried really hard to keep the Coalition agreement alive however, at the end of the day the Liberal Party would not commit to our principal requests.” 

The National Party will not walk away from the $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund, which would provide up to $1 billion extra funding every year for regional projects, from improving access to better health, child and aged care, through to fixing local roads and building new sporting facilities. 

The National Party will not walk away from ‘big stick’ divestiture competition laws that will keep the big supermarkets honest and deliver fairer prices for farmers at the farmgate and families at the checkout.

The National Party will not walk away from an improved Universal Service Obligation for communications, forcing a better minimum standard for regional mobile and internet access. 

The National Party will not walk away from the potential of nuclear power as a necessary element of a balanced energy mix to secure Australia’s energy future.

“The Nationals’ Party Room did not make this decision lightly.  We will always stand up for regional Australians and the policies that will take our nation forward.”