In times of great political upheaval, parties are tested on the endurance of their values. Australians want strong and principled leadership in the Federal Parliament, and they want philosophical clarity. That means MPs who are prepared to fight for a better future for the people they represent. For our part, the Nationals have never been…
In an era of unprecedented change and challenge, the success of our transport sector will be crucial to the success of our nation. As the Opposition’s Transport spokeswoman I genuinely seek to contribute to positive solutions in transport policy. The one thing Catherine King and I agree on is that the Minister turning the sod…
This past week or so we have put the regions at the heart of the Government’s policy. That is a good thing. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on October 15 that he was intending to go to Glasgow while also confirming the Government’s intention to agree to a net zero emissions target by 2050. It…
Three major industry bodies, which have been allies during the decade-long climate debate, have recently backflipped to support net-zero emissions by 2050. Interestingly, they have collectively recognised that the real impact of decarbonising our economy will be felt most acutely in regional Australia. The Business Council of Australia, National Farmers Federation and the Minerals Council…
It is fashionable for the commentariat to try to frame the Nationals as anti-environmentalist energy dinosaurs – the last political party holding out against a tide of public opinion wanting to embrace an economy not reliant on fossil fuels. The truth is much more prosaic. First, as people from the regions we care for the…
It is one thing for politicians to promise on the international stage a net zero world in the distant future when none will be around to be accountable. It is quite another thing to be able to deliver on that promise. Such is the case with the recent G7 summit as member nations — Canada,…
CAPTION: Doug Anthony running the country from his caravan during the Christmas break – pic source ‘Ninety Not Out’ by Paul Davey It would be around this time of the year during the 1970s to early 80s when National Party leader Doug Anthony would run the country as acting Prime Minister from a caravan on…
My piece on Country Party giant Sir John “Black Jack” McEwen in The Australian On this day 53 years ago, prime minister Harold Holt went for a swim at Portsea and didn’t return, resulting in the Country Party’s John McEwen becoming our accidental prime minister. But McEwen, whose statue in Canberra’s parliamentary zone was unveiled…
2020 December Newsletter
In my soon-to-be-released book on John “Black Jack” McEwen, I recall how the political newcomer found himself in the middle of a political sting on the floor of Parliament which cast doubt over the running of the 1934 Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November. Thanks to the Herald-Sun for publishing this intriguing story.…