I know what Party I was proud to hand out for on Election Day
Posted: Wednesday, 28 September 2011 | By: Bryce Wilson
On Election Day in Queanbeyan this year there were Nationals everywhere. There was a real buzz among them. They seemed to be volunteers everywhere handing out how-to-votes on every gate of every booth. They had travelled from all over NSW to be part of a once-in-a-generation victory. Despite being up against one of Country Labor’s best and brightest, Steve Whan, their wishes came true: A Nationals member in Government.
Fast forward to Budget day Tuesday 6 September 2011. The Nationals’ victorious class of 2011 apprehensively awaited the NSW Treasurer’s Budget speech. On their minds were Department of Primary Industries resources, how big would the ‘savings’ axe be? It looked like most of the achievements listed in the centrally-prepared media releases were not even theirs.
They would have been happy with the odd announcement - money for roads, health services and health infrastructure. But the announced funding was simply following the Federal money. If it were not for the Federal Labor Government investment, (e.g. Wagga and Bega hospitals), much of the State funding would never have even been committed or at best programs would be under-funded.
But the class of 2011 knew what was coming. True to form the Nationals have hit the very people that they pretend to represent at their first opportunity. They walked away from regional families that have been saving for their first home by cutting the stamp duty concession for first home buyers. They announced 5000 jobs would go and a wage freeze on thousands of hard working teachers, nurses and police.
For anyone that recognises the Nationals in their guise as Liberals-in-moleskins this was no surprise - big on rhetoric in opposition, small on representation in Government.
Big on rhetoric in opposition - the Nationals talked about the importance of regional jobs to local communities and economies. But in Government the Nationals see local public servant jobs as completely expendable. There are Government office blocks in all regional centres, Queanbeyan office of housing, DET office in Wagga, Office of Water Grafton. It is a shame in a patch work economy the Nationals don’t seem to be able or willing to say that Barry’s axe will not fall on regional communities.
Big on rhetoric in opposition - the Nationals tried to paint themselves as the friend of the regional teacher. In fact the main proponent was, the then-shadow now Education Minister, Adrian Piccoli. He told teachers all they wanted to hear but forgot to mention that in Government he would scrap the NSW Industrial Relations Commission and cap pay rises to 2.5 per cent unless conditions were eroded.
Big on rhetoric in opposition - the Nationals constantly cried for more agricultural investment but in Government they have fallen flat – no new money. The Nationals may think they have saved a few jobs in DPI but resources are being cut, voluntary redundancies will be offered and there is always Barry’s ‘savings’ axe hanging over regional offices. Further, the so-called friends of the farmer have not even guaranteed funding for the Rural Financial Counselling Service.
This budget has really highlighted the way the Nationals treat regional communities. They sound like they want to do the right thing but just forget to do it. They cut services, pulling jobs out of rural communities hurting local economies and communities. They fall short when they get the chance for regional areas.
Contrast this approach to regional development with that of both Federal and State Labor: Big on delivery for regional NSW; the National Broadband Network, record investment in rail and roads, for the first time federal capital funding for hospitals, record education infrastructure investment, increased numbers of regional students at regional universities and the recently announced policy by John Robertson to support 44,000 jobs in manufacturing and rural industries.
I respect campaign day volunteers from all sides who hand out in regional areas. It is often a long day in the hot or the cold weather despite the great sandwiches and cakes. However, I do wonder if the expectant Nationals’ volunteers I met on Election Day feel let-down by their class of 2011. Doing what they always do in Government: cut-back, lay-off, renege, neglect, disappoint. I know what Party I was proud to be handing out for that day - Country Labor.
Tags: Bryce Wilson,
budget,
Country Labor,
election promises