Kate SlackThe Players: The National Party: A Minor Party
July 24th 2010 23:53
Some History
The Country Party, as it was then known, was formed in 1913 in Western Australia and quickly spread to the other states to such an extent that 11 Members of Parliament whom had been elected in the 1919 federal election as supporters of the Australian Farmers’ Federal Organisation decided to nationalise the party in 1920. Creation was largely driven by small farmers, particularly wheat-growers interested in ensuring that the interests of Australia’s regional residents were being conveyed, and to create a viable alternative to the Hughes Nationalist Party and their economic policies. The Tasmanian member for Franklin, William McWilliams, was elected its first leader however resigned his post in 1921 to make way for the NSW Member for Cowper, Dr Earle Page who took over on the 5th of April. The Australian Country Party won 14 seats in the 1922 federal election. This margin was enough to deny the Nationalists an overall majority and as the only other prominent non-Labor party at the time, The Country Party became the only viable option for a coalition partner. However, Dr Page refused to serve under Hughes and therefore forced his resignation. Hughes’ replacement, Stanley Bruce succumbed quite readily to Page’s conditions of coalition. The Country Party walked away from negotiations with five of eleven Cabinet seats, including the Treasury portfolio and the second rank in the ministry for Dr Page. The Coalition arrangement has remained in tact since December 1949 but for during two short periods – for 17 months while in Opposition from December 1949 through to May 1974 and for four months during the ‘Joh for Canberra’ fiasco. In 1975 The Country Party changed its name to the National Country Party which only lasted until 1982 when it adopted its current title.
Some Ideology
With regards to the ideological spectrum, the National Party are considered to be a conservative, agrarian party siting to the right of the centre. They are a party dedicated to advancing the interests of regional Australia and the Australians who live there. According to their website, “The Nationals are dedicated to delivering future security, opportunity and prosperity for all regional Australians, through targeted policies that focus on stronger regional economies, secure communities, a sustainable environment and the highest possible standard of living.” While always present in both State and National campaigns, their prominence has varied over time. In recent years their diminished prominence has undoubtedly been influenced by Australian demographic changes with less people being employed on the land or in smaller regional towns, the emergence of influential independent’s from regional Australia, the success of One Nation, and the perceived lack of difference between The Liberal Party and the National Party has seen the Liberals gain more support.
Operation
Like the Liberal Party, the Nationals consist of both a Parliamentary wing and an Organisational wing and they operate in largely the same way.
To follow?
• Their policy priorities are:
o Regional health
o Education
o Food security and agriculture
o Land and water management
o The economy and taxation
o Regional development
o Small business and tourism
o Transport
o Communications
o Social justice
o Climate change, and
o Trade
• They are usually:
o Pro-mining
o Pro-development
o Anti-environmentalist
o Anti-union, and
o Have opposed tariff protection for Australia’s manufacturing and services industries
The Country Party, as it was then known, was formed in 1913 in Western Australia and quickly spread to the other states to such an extent that 11 Members of Parliament whom had been elected in the 1919 federal election as supporters of the Australian Farmers’ Federal Organisation decided to nationalise the party in 1920. Creation was largely driven by small farmers, particularly wheat-growers interested in ensuring that the interests of Australia’s regional residents were being conveyed, and to create a viable alternative to the Hughes Nationalist Party and their economic policies. The Tasmanian member for Franklin, William McWilliams, was elected its first leader however resigned his post in 1921 to make way for the NSW Member for Cowper, Dr Earle Page who took over on the 5th of April. The Australian Country Party won 14 seats in the 1922 federal election. This margin was enough to deny the Nationalists an overall majority and as the only other prominent non-Labor party at the time, The Country Party became the only viable option for a coalition partner. However, Dr Page refused to serve under Hughes and therefore forced his resignation. Hughes’ replacement, Stanley Bruce succumbed quite readily to Page’s conditions of coalition. The Country Party walked away from negotiations with five of eleven Cabinet seats, including the Treasury portfolio and the second rank in the ministry for Dr Page. The Coalition arrangement has remained in tact since December 1949 but for during two short periods – for 17 months while in Opposition from December 1949 through to May 1974 and for four months during the ‘Joh for Canberra’ fiasco. In 1975 The Country Party changed its name to the National Country Party which only lasted until 1982 when it adopted its current title.
Some Ideology
With regards to the ideological spectrum, the National Party are considered to be a conservative, agrarian party siting to the right of the centre. They are a party dedicated to advancing the interests of regional Australia and the Australians who live there. According to their website, “The Nationals are dedicated to delivering future security, opportunity and prosperity for all regional Australians, through targeted policies that focus on stronger regional economies, secure communities, a sustainable environment and the highest possible standard of living.” While always present in both State and National campaigns, their prominence has varied over time. In recent years their diminished prominence has undoubtedly been influenced by Australian demographic changes with less people being employed on the land or in smaller regional towns, the emergence of influential independent’s from regional Australia, the success of One Nation, and the perceived lack of difference between The Liberal Party and the National Party has seen the Liberals gain more support.
Operation
Like the Liberal Party, the Nationals consist of both a Parliamentary wing and an Organisational wing and they operate in largely the same way.
To follow?
• Their policy priorities are:
o Regional health
o Education
o Food security and agriculture
o Land and water management
o The economy and taxation
o Regional development
o Small business and tourism
o Transport
o Communications
o Social justice
o Climate change, and
o Trade
• They are usually:
o Pro-mining
o Pro-development
o Anti-environmentalist
o Anti-union, and
o Have opposed tariff protection for Australia’s manufacturing and services industries
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