New South Wales shadow Minister for Resources and Primary Industries, Steve Whan. (picture above)
Twelve years ago, Country Labor was formed to formally recognize the historic and vital role of Country Australia in the Australian Labor Party. To this day most people believe that the Party was founded under the Tree of Knowledge in Barcaldine in rural Queensland.
Long term successful NSW Labor Government's have always had strong rural representation. Many current branch members remember Labor MPs in Burrinjuck and Murrumbidgee, not to mention Clarence, Murray Darling, Tweed and the more recently held seats like Bathurst, Monaro & Kiama.
There's no reason the next Labor Government can't have just as many country seats. Indeed it must if we are to have the broad base that will give our future governments longevity - but we've got a big job to get there.
No one can deny that we focused on ourselves and on city issues over the last few years.
We did have some good programs delivering for Country NSW – and many achievements we can be very proud of - but we didn’t build on them and we weren't able to communicate them.
The Building the Country package (announced at Country Labor Conference at Port Macquarie) was a good example, a great starting program but one that should have developed into a more comprehensive and integrated approach to regional development.
We've now got to build that comprehensive policy from opposition. We need to show country residents that Labor understands that country and regional communities have needs that are different from each other, let alone the city.
We need to be focusing on policies that help communities to achieve their own goals, not try to impose one size fits all models.
The Country Labor Members of Parliament, Clayton Barr in Cessnock, Mick Veitch and myself can't hope to do that alone and we looking for the enthusiastic involvement of members and supporters.
Let's not think that the job is hopeless – the Coalition is rapidly proving that they are the same old model, all talk and no action. Their catchy slogan of a decade of decentralisation has little to back it up. A very poorly thought through relocation incentive that will pay taxpayers funds to people who already planning to retire to the coast; and a regional infrastructure fund created by legislation but with no funding.
We can do better and our job is to work over the next four years toward giving country communities a party that listens to them and produces good policy.
It's going to be a big job but its one I and my Country Labor colleagues here in Parliament are looking forward to. In particular we look forward to working with branches and country communities and hopefully along the way we'll be able to inspire a few people to join us in our task of returning a Labor Government to NSW.
The Land (article)
"The reaction from the Coalition was one of the main reasons I agreed to joining the Upper House," Mr Whan said.
"They must fear me."
In a reduced Opposition, Mr Whan has been given a number of portfolios to cover, including tourism, major events and his old area of primary industries.
Mr Whan is one of just three MPs who run under the Country Labor brand and, having just completed a tour of Dubbo, Griffith and Parkes, he said reconnecting with regional NSW was an important part of the rebuilding process for the party.
"We need good regional policies, and it’s really important that we have strong branches of the party throughout country NSW," he said.
"The Country Labor brand isn’t dead, it’s very much alive - and it will be more important than ever in Opposition."
Country Labor
The objectives of Country Labor are:
- to discuss matters of political significance with emphasis on Rural and Regional Affairs and to make recommendations on such to the ALP
- to foster and maintain the interest of members and others in the Platform and policies of the ALP
- to provide opportunity for and to organise meetings of members to discuss rural matters
- to work for and assist ALP candidates in all State and Federal elections
- to promote increased understanding between members of industrial unions and farming communities
- to publish any periodicals or leaflets desirable for promotion of its objects.
- Country Labor holds a conference every two years to discuss issues of importance to country members.
Country Labor Contact
President - Mark Braes (63rd Street, Millicent, SA 5280. 8733 4064)
