After careful consideration, The Nationals have agreed that now is not the right time to enter a federal Coalition Agreement with the Liberal Party.
During the last term of Parliament, The Nationals fought hard for a package of sensible and important policies that will benefit regional Australia and the future of our nation. These were adopted as Coalition policies and were strongly supported by local communities.
Following discussions with the Leader of the Liberal Party, we do not have the assurance we need that these policies will be honoured in a future Coalition Agreement.
The Nationals cannot in good conscience walk away from our commitments to regional Australia.
We 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.
We will not walk away from ‘big stick’ divestiture competition laws that keep the big supermarkets honest and deliver fairer prices for farmers at the farmgate and families at the checkout.
We will not walk away from an improved Universal Service Obligation for communications, forcing a better minimum standard for regional mobile and internet access.
We will not walk away from the potential of nuclear power as a necessary element of a balanced energy mix that secures Australia’s energy security.
The Nationals’ Party Room does not take this decision lightly.
It is made without malice. When the Liberal Party is ready, our door will be open. We will always stand up for regional Australians and the policies that will take our nation forward.