.... Archived news...

(from 2004 - 2005)

Alliance starts preselection
29 December 2005

Country Alliance has started its preselection for the 2006 Victorian State election. Information on thie process is currently being sent out to all financial members.

Persons interested in becoming candidates for Country Alliance in either upper or lower house seats can contact us by clicking here.

More information can be seen in our December / January newsletter - you can view this from our newsletter page. Click here to go to that page. Victoria gets another duck season
13 December 2005

The Combined Firearms Council has reported that Victoria will get another duck shooting season next year. It would seem the Bracks Government has been listening to shooters. Click here to see the story.
CA supports CEPU rally
10 December 2005

Country Alliance was out in force in Bendigo today, to support the rally organised by the Communication Electrical and Plumbing Union against the sale of Telstra.

Members of CA's Executive helped CEPU gain signatures for the petition and local media was present to report on the event.

Telstra workers rally against sale
7 December 2005

This story on the ABC's website reports that Telstra workers rallied outside the company's Exhibition Street headquarters in Melbourne today to protest against the planned sale of the company.

The 1,400 Telstra workers fear they will either lose their jobs or have their pay cut.

The CEPU will be holding another rally in Bendigo on Saturday. Country Alliance will be there to support the CEPU in its campaign. Joyce falls into line on IR
12 Nov 2005

The man who said he saved Christmas, Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce, has voted with the Government on controversial legislation yet again despite his reservations of doing so.

Joyce, who said he represented the peole of Queensland, voted with the Government at a special sitting of the Federal Senate to pass workplace relations laws. CA at the Rokewood Rodeo
20 Nov 2005

CA had another great weekend, this time at its stall at the Rokewood Rodeo. Some rejigging of our signs and promotional material paid off. Our "Proud to be country" sticker was voted second 'best sticker' at the event when one of those there purchased the sticker and put it on his ute. We sold out of our stubby holders.

Miss Rodeo 2004 and long term member of Country Alliance, Cath, helped us all day long with our stand.

The night before we set out to Rokewood, we checked the website of the Greens to see what their policy was with respect to rodeos. Their policy is to ban the use of animals. Hence, no animals, no rodeo.

Here are some pics from our outing there ..

Cath - one of CA's earliest members and Miss Rodeo 2004 putting on her
best 'cheesy grin'

Rodeos remain part of our traditional culture - and will remain so
if Country Alliance gets enough support. Bracks Ministers 'not at home?'
12 Nov 2005

This story in today's Age newspapers shows that nearly two thirds of the Bracks Government's ministers do not live in their electorates.

In case you cannot access the story (as The Age provides only limited viewing of its stories online), it shows that Police Minister Tim Holding lives in East Melbourne (whle representing south-east suburbs), Transport Minister Peter Batchelor lives in Fitzroy rather than the Thomastown seat he has held for the past 15 years, and Arts Minister Mary Delahunty, who was elected as the member for Northcote in a 1998 byelection, lives in South Melbourne, rather than life north of the river.

The story reports that 'in contrast' just three of the Opposition shadow cabinet (Kim Wells, Phil Honeywood and Victor Perton) live outside their electorates. Horsham branch opened
12 Nov 2005

CA's fourth branch was opened at Horsham last Thursday. We are working on more branches and will have a stall at next weekends Rokewood Rodeo. We will also be starting our selection of candidates in January. Watch this space! Lack of high-speed Internet threatens regional growth: report
8 Nov 2005

Regional areas are Australia's new growth centres according to a report on the ABC's website.

The report says this year's State of the Regions Report has found a lack of high-speed Internet is a major threat to continued expansion. It quoted the Local Government Association as saying that Australia is lagging behind other countries in Internet investment in regional areas.

Click here to see the story on the ABC's website. CA set to open fourth branch
27 Oct 2005

CA is set to open it's fourth branch just three months after obtaining party registration.

CA now has branches at Healesville, Bendigo, Geelong and will open its Horsham branch on November the 10th. The opening of the Benalla branch has been delayed and plans to open further branches are well advanced.

More branches will open soon.

CA will start its preselection of candidates early next year. Bendigo Show
22 Oct 2005

CA had a stall at this year's Bendigo Show. Again, there was a lot of support by those unaware of our launch for a new party. The farming community in particular was keen to see our emergence.

The Bendigo Show also saw the emergence of our new stubby holders. The logo which is on the back of our t-shirts appears on the holders, with 'the snorting bull'. These can be ordered from our merchandising page

Telstra to sell CDMA network ?
20 Oct 2005

The ABC website has reported that the board of Telstra is looking at dumping the CDMA network. Click here to read the story.

The report says that about 1.3 million Australians use CDMA, many of them in regional Australia. The National Farmers Federation is reported to have said there were a lot of problems with the rollout of the CDMA network and there was significant costs imposed by forcing farmers to change over to the network. Geelong and Horsham branches open soon
17 Oct 2005

Our branches at Geelong and Horsham will open up on 25 October and 10 November respectively. Contact us if you are interested in coming along. Irrigators upset over rating decision
8 Oct 2005

The Sunrasia Irrigators Council has slammed the State Government for allowing Councils to include water as part of rate valuations, even though water will be unbundled from land from mid 2007.

SIC spokesperson, Danny Lee, said that it as an outrage to expect irrigators to fund a shortfall of rates to Councils. He said the SIC will seek legal advice on the rule of the Minister for Environment, John Thwaites.

"The Councils knew that unbundling would create this problem over two years ago," he said.

"To now express surprise at the size of the rate shortfall, and to seek extra time to find a way around this issue demonstrates that Councils made a very bad decision in not opposing the unbundling of water."

Mr Lee said the end result will be that irrigators will have their properties de-valued, and other ratepayers will have to pick up the shortfall.

"The Councillors who have sat on their hands for the last two years and ignored the water reforms put forward by Government should be ashamed of themselves, and certainly are not fit for re-election." Victoria - the place to dump?
7 Oct 2005

Click here to see our media release opposing the State Government's intention to put a toxic dump near Mildura. ABC report suggests Telstra sale will haunt Nationals
4 Oct 2005

The ABC website has published a story suggesting that the Australia Institute has predicted that the National Party will be haunted by the deal it did with the Government over Telstra, in the same way the Australian Democrats suffered from their GST deal in 1999.

Report author Andrew McIntosh is quoted as saying that the Telstra issue could lose the National Party many of its constituents.

"I think this is almost bigger for the Nationals given that telecommunications is such a massive issue in the bush," he said.

"I suspect that most people in the bush who've voted [for the] Nationals will be asking themselves why did the Nationals enter into this agreement and why aren't our services being protected?"

But the leader of the Nationals, Mark Vaile, says he is not concerned by the report. He is reported to have said that the party took the decision after years of analysis. Recreational access to be cut in WA's south west
24 Sep 2005

The State Government of WA has drawn up a controversial draft 10 year management plan for the D'Entrecasteaux and Shannon national parks, with a view to reportedly balancing the area's conservation needs with access for tourism and recreation, according to Yahoo! News.

Critics say the plan unfairly restricts access to beaches, limits recreational trout and marron fishing and rules out power boat use on Lake Jasper.

The executive director of Recfish West, Frank Prokop, says he is surprised by the big number of responses.

"We hope that each and everyone of them is a considered submission and that they've actually read the management plan and not been directed to put in a how-to-vote card on behalf of one position or another," he said. Nationals abandoning the bush: ACTU
21 Sep 2005

The Age has reported on its website that the ACTU has said the National's decision to back the federal government's industrial relations changes shows the party has abandoned working families in the bush.

The report quotes ACUT president, Sharan Burrow, as saying that the sweeping changes will push down wages and make it harder for families to pay for petrol.

The Nationals federal council reportedly passed a motion supporting the underlying principles of the industrial changes over the weekend, but called for the release of details to be brought forward to counter a union advertising campaign. Ingram on the Nats
17 Sep 2005

Country Alliance has supported Craig Ingram's position on the mountain cattlement, and we support his position on Telstra.

Here is an extract from Mr Ingram's address to Parliament on the topic:

Mr INGRAM (Gippsland East) -- I wish to bring to the attention of the house the new organisation called the 'Not happy Barnaby club'.

Never before in politics has one offered so much and yet delivered so little for so few.

Membership of the 'Not happy Barnaby club' is growing at an amazing rate particularly with the passage of the sale of Telstra legislation in federal Parliament last night. Membership fees are currently $4.37 but going down at a rate of knots.

Members can expect the Liberal Party's philosophy of privatisation at all costs, but for The Nationals who make a pretence of representing country people, this is the ultimate sell-out. This is another example of The Nationals' philosophy of lions in the electorate and fluffy kittens in Canberra.

The best comment on the performance of The Nationals was best said by a senior state Liberal.

When asked if he would consider privatising the National Party, his response was, 'You can only privatise assets!'.

We all know that The Nationals are a liability, not an asset, to country Victoria.

On the 8th of September, the Liberal Party voted with the State Government to expand the Otways National Park by a massive 100,000 ha. Nats stick to their guns on Telstra
14 Sep 2005

No need to tell you what you already know, but the sale of Telstra is now a given after legislation to sell the telco was passed by the Senate today.

The vote was 37 in favour, 35 against. Senator Joyce made a choice by which he will be judged. National Farmers Federation join the push to flog Telstra
13 Sep 2005

The NFF has come out in full support of the sale of Telstra.

This article on the ABC's website quotes Federation President, Peter Corish, as saying that the Government's telecommunications package guarantees quality, affordable services for rural and regional Australia, and that Barnaby Joyce should support it.

Mr Corish is reported to have said that the NFF has closely scrutinised the sale bills and is satisfied they meet all key requirements, including a significant strengthening of the network and a customer service guarantee.

Country Alliance is far from convinced, given that Telstra's own documents show it is servicing 'high cost' (meaning regional) areas where it has around 90% market share and facing little or no competition. Maxfield gets it wrong on Country Alliance
12 Sep 2005

A media service has suggested that on 3GG, it was asked (by someone?) if Country Alliance and Country Voice were fronts fror the Nats and Libs.

Given that the two independents in the Lower House who are hardly friends of the Nationals were at our launch to offer their support, that is a very unlikely scenario.

Country Alliance has no affiliation with any party and receives no funding or assistance from them. We maintain our position of running a split ticket. We remain committed to being the 'non party party'.

The Member for Narracan, Ian Maxfield, is reported to have suggested Country Alliance on the station, that it was formed out of disgust with the National Party's support for the sale of Telstra.

That is not so. We are opposed to the sale, not the party. We will support good policy and oppose bad policy no matter who it comes from.

We were also formed on a range of other issues, many of which have nothing to do with the National Party.

Cattlemen defy ban
12 Sep 2005

The Age reports that the Mountain Cattlemen will defy the ban on their presence in the Alpine National Park.

Country Voice spokesperson, Bob Richardson, said that taking the cattle into the Alpine National Park would provide inspiration to all country people struggling with a city-centric government.

The Government has not indicated what approach it will take on the matter. Environmentalists funding revealed
10 Sep 2005

The Weekly Times has revealed that taxpayers are helping fund the Environmental Defenders Office to challenge decisions by the Department of Sustainability and Environment who gave permission for Wimmera farmer, John Warner, to clear trees.

The report shows that over $200,000 has been provided by the Federal and Victorian State Governments, but that Mr Warner who succeeded in an action before VCAT had to pay $20,000 out of his own pocket.

Victorian National Party leader, Peter Ryan, said giving money to the EDO was waste of public money. Telstra sale is wrong: Nationals MP
8 Sep 2005

The ABC's website has carried this story reporting that Federal Nationals MP Kay Hull has told the Coalition partyroom that she believes the plan to sell the rest of Telstra is wrong.

Ms Hull is reported to have said she has not given up on keeping Telstra's infrastructure in public ownership. CA releases firewood policy
7 Sep 2005

CA has released its policy on firewood collection. Refer to our state policies page for more information. 'No Sale of Telstra' stickers become a hit
4 Sep 2005

Our newest sticker - opposing the sale of Telstra, is already proving to be very popular.

These are available from our 'Merchandise' page. Stateline report
28 Aug 2005

In case you missed it, a transcript of the story on Stateline about Country Alliance can be seen by clicking here. CA's registration confirmed
18 Aug 2005

Notice of the Victorian Electoral Commissions decision to register Country Alliance appears in today's Victoria Government Gazette (page 1822 G33 for those with a passion for subordinate instruments!)
WA Government on Telstra
17 Aug 2005

The Herald Sun's website reports that the WA Government has said that the Liberal senators of Western Australia have their state down by not opposing the full sale of Telstra, which (according to the Herald Sun) means regional telecommunications will suffer.

"This is a black day for Western Australia, particularly a black day for regional Western Australia," WA Regional Development Minister John Bowler said according to the report.

"This will be just another Liberal slush fund to buy votes.

"Sadly, they will be buying votes in Queensland and not Western Australia."

The Herald Sun reports that Mr Bowler said 70 per cent of Australians did not support the full sale of Telstra, but that he accepted it was now a "done deal".
CA's party launch
17 Aug 2005

Today was CA's official party launch. It was well attended by media and we can expect more media interest in the next few days.

Click here to read about the Nationals 'approval' of CA (although we reiterate that we supported the position taken by Craig Ingram on the cattlemen's issue.)

... and some happy snaps from today.

Craig Ingram and Russell Savage speak their minds.

Three items appeared in today's press of interest to Country Alliance. The first is a newspoll on Yahoo! which showed 72% of people said 'no' to the full sale of Telstra which is a key issue for Country Alliance.

The second item is this article on CA's imminent registration.

The third, also on Yahoo!, is a report that independent MP Russell Savage confirmed he will not be joining Country Alliance, but supports its agenda.
Media interest in CA's registration
15 Aug 2005

This article titled "Storm from the bush" appeared in today's Herald Sun. This, and our press release spurred interviews with several media outlets through the day.

Click here to see the HS article

Country Alliance set to achieve party registration
14 Aug 2005

Country Alliance has been advised by the Victorian Electoral Commission that it intends to register us as a political party by a notice to be published in the Victoria Government Gazette on Thursday 18th.
Report of 'civil war' within the Nats over Telstra
5 Aug 2005

This article from the Herald Sun reports that 'civil war' has erupted within the Nats over the sale of Telstra.

The issue of the sale is becoming big news for the bush, with Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce, being threatened with expulsion from the party if he does not support the sale.

The dramatic demand to toe the party line came from NSW MP Ian Causley.

The Herald Sun report says Mr Causley accused his outspoken colleague of turning the Coalition into a rabble, and gave him an ultimatum: support the Telstra sale or you will be kicked out of the party.

"If he wants to cross the floor (and vote with the Opposition) then he doesn't belong to the National Party much longer," Mr Causley told the Lismore Northern Star.

Country Alliance opposes the sale of Telstra, and has stated from day one that any politician who supports the sale of Telstra, does not represent the interests of regional communities.
Latham quits ALP
31 July 2005

The Herald Sun has reported that Mark Latham has quit the ALP. The paper says that according to is sources, Mr Latham has stopped paying his monthly subs and is a move which will be a relief to many given his scathing critisicm of the party in the past few months.

The paper said Mr Latham savaged the ALP and described Kim Beazley as a stand-for-nothing leader.

He reportedly said the old party has become a very conservative institution, run by conservative machine ment and is well suited to a coservative, stand-for-nothing type of leader.

Mr Latham certainly not going out with a fight. He is quoted as saying Labor Premiers, Bob Carr, Peter Beattie and Geoff Gallop were "A-grade a---holes" for publicly pressuring him to quit.

It wasn't too long ago he described the Prime Minister as an a--- licker and his party as a conga line of suck holes. What would he think about us ?

Qld Nats 'work to form coalition'
31 July 2005

The Herald Sun has also reported that the appointment of the Federal Member for Maranoa, Bruce Scott, as the new Queensland Nationals president, is likely to play a key role in forging a strong coalition with the Liberals in a bid to oust Labor at the next state election.

The paper reports Nationals leader Lawrence Springborg as saying the decision to support two Liberal candidates in the August 20 by-elections in the seats of Redcliffe and Chatsworth showed a commitment to building a coalition, by maximising the conservative vote.

"I have generated, along with my colleagues, the debate of fusing the two parties," he said.

"We have extended our very clear commitment and support to the Queensland Liberal Party in the last week."

The Herald Sun reported however, that Liberal leader Bob Quinn would not comment on a possible coalition between the two parties.

"Our focus is entirely on these two by-elections, that's our priority," he said.

"These will be very tough by-elections for the Liberal Party.

"We are not talking about anything other than making sure the Government gets its priorities right for the people of Chatsworth and Redcliffe."

Telstra debate heats up
29 July 2005

The ABC has reported on its website that Telstra has said it may not be able to continue providing basic services to rural areas. The company's head of regulatory affairs, Kate McKenzie, said the Government does not provide enough funding to meet its universal service obligations.

She said the cost of meeting Telstra's obligations exceed $350 million a year and the Government provides only half that.

Nationals Leader, Mark Vaile, has reportedly said that the claim was "quite disturbing". His predecessor, John Anderson, previously saying the sale was inevitable.

Meanwhile, the Herald Sun has reported that Labor has accused Mark Vaile of selling out the bush on the full sale of Telstra.

The Herald Sun said Opposition Leader Kim Beazley described Mr Vaile as Prime Minister John Howard's apologist, saying he was abandoning country Australia for just $2 billion.

"In world-record time, Mr Vaile has weakly named his price to abandon country Australia and pave the way for the full sale of Telstra," the paper reported him as saying.

"Mr Vaile has failed country Australia. He is John Howard's apologist in the bush, rather than the bush's man in Cabinet."

"Every time the home phone does not work, every time internet access is denied, every time a mobile phone drops out – country Australians will remember Mr Vaile's weak betrayal," he said.

"The only way to future-proof Telstra for country Australia is to keep it in public hands."
Savage on muslim extremists
25 July 2005

The Herald Sun has reported that the Member for Mildura, Russell Savage, said Muslim leaders need to do more to weed out local extremists and condemn acts of terror.

The report quoted Mr Savage as saying that the vast majority of Muslims were peace-loving, but he was "becoming increasingly concerned by some Muslim demands in our society, some of their intolerance of our way of life and their insincerity in condemning violence and terror".

Opposition Leader Robert Doyle condemned the comments. He reportedly said it was unfair to blame the Muslim community for acts commited by extemists.

Nationals Leader, Peter Ryan, reportedly said Mr Savage's comments were ill-timed.
Racial vilification laws under the microscope
24 July 2005

The Independent Member for Mildura, Russell Savage has called for greater condemnation of Islamic extremism in Australia.

He said Australian society is at a crossroads and that it is essential to stem extremism which has flourished.

He introduced a bill to "abandon counterproductive measures such as the racial and religious vilification laws the Bracks government introduced in 2001".

"It is widely recognised that the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act has done more harm to interfaith relationships than any other recent event; in fact the Premier of New South Wales, Bob Carr, termed the laws 'questionable' stating the laws 'can undermine the very freedom they seek to protect – freedom of thought, conscience and belief'." Mr Savage said.

In the meantime, the State Government is proposing to introduce a "Bill of Rights". The examples used to justify this appear to be already covered in discrimination legislation.

Country Alliance will comment more on this when we have had a better opportunity to examine both the bill introduced by Mr Savage, and the "Bill of Rights" being proposed by the Bracks Government.
Katter on the Nationals
10 July 2005

This article shows Bob Katter's views on the Telstra sale - including his warning to the Nats that selling Telstra means selling out on the bush..
New landline number
16 July 2005

Country Alliance now has a landline number in the outer eastern suburbs
- (03) 9876 9902. Regional contact numbers will be established shortly.
Do you trust government ?
10 July 2005

This article was sent to me by a CA member. It sets out the story of Peter Spencer, a farmer who has undoubtedly learnt not to trust Governments chasing the green vote.
CA's first branch to be launched
30 June 2005

Country Alliance is about to launch its first branch in the Yarra Ranges area - followed closely by a second in the western part of Victoria.

Invitations have been sent out to a hundred CA members in the area, and interviews have taken place with local media.
VEC ad for objection to registration appears
30 June 2005

The advertisement by the Victorian Electoral Commission seeking objections against the registration of Country Alliance has appeared in today's Herald Sun and The Age.

This has generated more interest by the media.
Article on Country Alliance
29 June 2005

While we are trying to keep a lid on things while we are going through the registration process, a phone call from the Weekly Times has resulted in an article on us appearing in this week's edition.

Click here to see the article. We do not intend to preference one side of politics over the other, but we can't help noting that Peter Ryan's comment that the Nationals advocate on the same issues as Country Alliance.

True, but our positions are often very different. You only need to look at our front page (about the sale of Telstra) to see the first evidence of that.
Otways National park extended by 100,000ha
25 June 2005

Legislation to extend the Otways National Park by 100,000 ha has been introduced in the Victorian State Parliament. This will end logging in the area and curtail activities such as four wheel driving and hunting.

The Weekly Times reports that some locals are unhappy with the decision, complaining that their views had been totally ignored by the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council.

It says that the end of logging in the area could result in the loss of hundreds of jobs and quotes Timber Communities Australia saying that the Government would no longer be able to manage weeds, vermin and fire risks in the area.

Tree red tape costs farmer $15,000
25 June 2005

According to the Weekly Times, Goulburn Valley dairy farmer, Vince Lemma, was fined $15,000 for failing to stick strickly with government red tape.

Mr Lemma was fined for removing 16 trees - when the permit he obtained allowed for only 14 - and for failing to submit a 'revegetation plan.

Colin Kalms, planning manager for the Greater Shepparton Ciy Council, is reported by the Weekly Times to have said that non-compliance with permit conditions is viewed by the Council 'very seriously'.

Tendering demands on Australia Post cut passenger services to Mansfield
25 June 2005

The Weekly Times reports that 'bureacratic demands' for competitive tendering on Australia Post could cut other important community services between Mansfiled and Woods Point in Victoria.

The article says that requirements for Australia Post to tender delivery contracts has led the loss of the contract to Stewart's Bus Lines, which run a five day a week passenger bus services along the route.

Stewart's Bus lines owner, Lyn Stewart, said eldlery residents relied on the bus service to travel to Mansfield and for deliveries for Meals-On-Wheels, groceries and medicine.

CA applies for party registration
20 June 2005

Country Alliance has applied for registration as a political party with the Victorian Electoral Commission.

NFF pressures Nationals over sale of Telstra
19 June 2005

This story from The Age reports that the Nationals say that the pressure on them from within their ranks not to support the sale of Telstra is not 'enormous'.

The report says that the National Farmers Federation wants the government to delay the full privatisation of Telstra until services to the bush improve.

Deputy Nationals Leader, Mark Vaile, says that legislation to sell the rest of Telstra is likely to be introduced to Federal parliament in August

Victorian Lower House passes Alpine Grazing ban
17 June 2005

The Lower House of the Victorian State Parliament has passed the legislation to finish off Alpine grazing. The bill that killed 'the Man' at 4:11pm today, will become law when it is signed off by the Governor-in-Council. The legislation was debated in the Upper House with Country Alliance members present.

Here are some more quotes from Hansard to illustrate the quality of the debate:

"There is no question that the coalition of Independents that put Steve Bracks into office was welded together in a cause célèbre to save the Snowy River. But what have we got now? We have seen an abandonment of the people about whom this debate should be about. It is an abandonment of the people who have made the heritage of Victoria and Australia." (Phil Davis, Liberal - Gippsland)

"This Labor government simply does not care. It has no heart, and I have really come to the conclusion that it actually hates country Victoria, and especially the mountain cattlemen and women. It does not understand 170 years of our cultural heritage and traditions. It is quite prepared to spend around $300 000 of taxpayers' hard-earned money on scurrilous and misleading advertisements, which started on 25 May and continue, all around the state in newspapers and on radio, supporting its skewed and factless decision at our expense."(Dianne Hadden - independent)

"Let us be realistic about heritage and culture here. The connection of the mountain cattlemen with the Alpine National Park goes back only 170 years, which cannot be compared with the culture and heritage of the traditional owners of the Alpine National Park which goes back many thousands of years."(Carolyn Hirsh, ALP - Silvan)

Nationals ready to support sale of Telstra
17 June 2005

This story from the Herald Sun reports that Nationals leader John Anderson has fired off a list of demands his party wants the federal government to meet in exchange for them backing Telstra's sale.

It says "in a strong message to his Liberal Coalition colleagues" that the Nationals wanted three main commitments from the Government before they would support the sale of Telstra.

The list is topped by the operational split of Telstra's wholesale and retail businesses, "tougher" regulations for the telecommunications industry, and measures to ensure future governments fund telco services in non-commercial markets.

Country Alliance storms Parliament
16 June 2005

One character, David, who is an avid member of Country Alliance, turned up to Parliament to listen to the 2nd reading speech on the Alpine grazing ban in the Upper House wearing one of our infamous t-shirts.

We do not necessarily condone this action, however our mail is that he and his partner reportedly made 'quite an impact' on a number of Members.

'David' also handed out to some MP's his poems. One, was reproduced on this page on 25 April (see below). His other poem is reproduced here with some heavy editing for legal reasons:

One hundred and seventy years of history, just thrown out the door.
A wealth of knowledge, not between any of the score.

John sits behind his desk with his phone up to his ear.
On the other end is Bob, kissing Johnny's (rhymes with 'ear').

"Johnny, lets get rid of the cattle in the National Parks.
Us greenies really have no idea but really believe they're a thing of the past".

"No worries Bob, I'll call a mate and get an inquiry done,
and get him to make things looks worse than they are, you greenies will have won"

"No worries Johnny, you bloody ripper, I'll promise you our vote".

"That sounds good Bob, Stevey will be stoked. I forsee we'll have little greenies soon in tote".
"And while we're at it Bob, let's legalise the ***** we're taking,
and think of all the money the Government will be making".

"Yeah Johnny, we'll take all the money out of Agriculture and force the farmers on the dole,
and hit the taxpayers harder, lets make it a short-term goal".

"And Johnny, when we get the ass for the mess we've made,
you, myself and Stevey can escape to Majorca, we'll really have it made!"

Legislation introduced to expand National Park in Victoria
16 June 2005

The Weekly Times reports that legislation has been introduced in the Victorian State Parliament to establish the Greater Otways National park which will be 100,000 ha in size. Logging will be phased out by 2008 in the areas which will be included in the Otway Forest Park.

Victorian Lower House passes Alpine Grazing ban
16 June 2005

The Lower House of the Victorian State Parliament has passed the legislation to finish off Alpine grazing. The legislation has been debated in the Upper House and the Government also has the numbers to pass the legislation there. Here are some quotes from Wednesday's Hansard:

"Will that spinless, weak, gutless lot approach (the cattlemen) now for the Commonwealth Games and say, 'Put on a sideshow for us. We do not support you or your way of life and we want nothing to do with you after the event, but what about putting on a show for Bracksy and his mates?' (Terry Mulder, Nationals - Polwarth)

"There have also been some notable absences (from the debate), including the Leader of the Opposition, who said he woudl do everything to fight this measure, yet he has not even taken the time to come to Parliament and make a contribution. That is because the Leader of the Opposition, as always, does not really stand for anything." (John Thwaites, Labor - Minister for Environment)

Sparks and embers on Victorian Alpine ban
15 June 2005

The debate on legislation to ban grazing in Victoria's Alpine National park went for 6 hours on Tuesday and wasn't finished even then. Here are some highlights:

"Do not kid yourselves that this is about anything other than getting Green preferences at the next state election" (Phil Honeywood, Liberal - Warrandyte)

(After talking about media identity Rob Gell's complaint about horse 'residue' being left outside Parliament at the rally) "I ask you, Acting Speaker, what about all the other animals up there ? Have they got a permanent state of constipation? Are all the pigs, sambar deer, wild dogs, foxes, rabbits and hares running around in terrible pain until they sprint across the border into the state park and then relieve themselves?" (Peter Ryan, National Party - Leader)

"Clearly this government is running a misleading, dishonest campaign suggesting that the cattle are doing massive damage to the high country. It is as misleading as the scandalous advertising program where the government had doctored photographs to deliberately mislead the people of Victoria about the role of the cattle in the high country ..." (Denis Napthine, Liberal - South-West Coast)

"The rest of you (Labor Members) have been holding your chardonnays and looking out from expensive chalets to see what it is like. You have not actually got up there and experienced it. It is typical of Labor MPs to look out from expensive chalets, through binoculars, at the Alpine National Park" (Kim Wells, Liberal - Scoresby)

"We know that this is important legislation for the Alpine National park, and will go for world heritage listing once alpine cattle grazing has finished." (Sherryl Garbutt, Labor - Minister for Community Services)

"I rise to support the bill ... I am certainly not, as some have suggested, looking for Green preferenes. They do not exist in my electorate, I am pleased to say" (Russell Savage, Independent)

"It seems to me that the opposition has a romantic notion of The Man from Snowy river. The Man from Snowy River is a romantic bush ballad and that is all that is -- nothing more, nothing less. Good public policy is not based on how things used to be 170 years ago" (Liz Beattie, Labor - Yuroke).

Thwaites caught out on moss beds
12 June 2005

A Country Alliance representative visited the Alpine National Park in Victoria this weekend to test Environment Minister Thwaites assertions that moss beds were under threat from alpine grazing.

The Minister had previously said in Parliament, that the moss beds had been damaged by cattle and that banning alpine grazing was necessary to enable their rehabilitation.

The report provided back to us suggests that the beds are large, green lumps about the size of television sets that grow in swampy water. They are incredibly spongy and resilient and you could run a four wheel drive over one without leaving any damage. In addition, the weight of cattle (500-600kg) would make it improbable they would be trample through the mud to reach them in the first place.

In other words, Country Alliance is far from convinced about the Minister's assertions that the moss beds face any form of threat from cattle.

The people of Dargo, who kindly took us on our tour, would seem to be in a better position than politicians from Albert Park to judge this.

Some happy snaps from our outing in and around the Alpine National Park (sorry, no photos of moss beds due to the weather conditions when we saw them).

NSW planning laws meets opposition
10 June 2005

ABC news reports that new planning laws passed by the NSW Parliament have raised concerns from the Opposition and the Greens that they will give the Planning Minister too much power.

The report says the changes will speed up future developments by abandoning tough environmental requirements for major projects and this decision has angered green groups.

According to the report, Greens MP Sylvia Hale says the laws will enable the Government to push through anything the minister deems to be critical infrastructure, "with no opportunity for the community to appeal against any approval that is granted".

Cattlemen decend on Parliament House
9 June 2005

The Mountain Cattlemen - and women - turned up at Parliament House in Melbourne to protest the Victorian Bracks Government's decision to kick them out of the Alpine National Park. About 500 horses and a lot of supporters were there to voice their anger at the decision.

Country Alliance stood by their side with a number of our members at the rally to support the cattlemen (and women!).

The Premier, Steve Bracks, and Environment Minister, John Thwaites, met with the cattlemen prior to the rally but said they would not be changing their minds.

Cattlemen's rally is on 9 June
31 May 2005

... and the Cattlemen will be in town on 8 June for an overnight camp before descending on Parliament on Thursday 9 June. They will be departing Vodafone Arena at 11am and riding through the streets for their rally. Those interested in joining, should convene at Parliament House Gardens by 10:30am with the rally starting at Parliament at 11.

Country Alliance's strong support in National Party heartland
29 May 2005

One of CA's final talks prior to applying for registration went far better than anticipated. Russell Pearson (picured below) spoke about CA at the Horsham Golf Club on Saturday 28 May, and the interest by the locals resulted in a very healthy percentage of those who attended, ` up as members of Country Alliance.

One of the highlights was a joke about the ability of Victoria's Environment Minister to tell the difference between cow pads and horse **** at the steps of Parliament when the Mountain Cattlemen come to town.

Thwaites defends alpine grazing ban
27 May 2005

Victorian Deputy and Environment Minister, John Thwaites, yesterday stood up in Parliament and read the narrative of the bill to outlaw alpine grazing. He ran through the 'achievements' of the Bracks Government in locking up marine parts, national parks, and box iron-bark regions. He argued that alpine grazing made no economic sense, but that the absence of cow pads would bring in the tourists.

Thwaites also announced 'assistance' of $100 per cattle man and women, capped at $100,000. He played up the importance of moss beds despite they obviously do not survive during summer.

In response, Phil Honeywood, Member for Warrandyte, said there has been no scientific analysis conducted (something close to the heart of CA) and that this had been a "total politically charged process." He accused the process of having a bias.

Victorian Government chasing 'cheap' Green preferences: Panopolous
27 May 2005

Federal Member for Indi, Sophie Panopoulos, has reportedly accused the Victorian State Government of chasing "a few cheap green preferences" in its destruction of an important part of the state's heritage in the banning of alpine grazing.

Meanwhile, the head of the Victorian Government's Alpine Grazing Task Force, Ian Maxfield, has reportedly been busy reassuring conservationists the ban on grazing will remain in place.

Mr Maxfield says the State Government is not banning grazing altogether despite the complete ban in the Alpine region.

He says he is confident the heritage listing will not overrule the new legislation.

"Our advice is that they're effectively irrelevant and their legislation shouldn't impact at all on what we're doing and it's also really important and the people understand that we're not removing the majority of the cattle from the forests," he said.
Ingram condemns the Bracks Government on Alpine grazing
27 May 2005

The following is from a media release from the Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, and represents the position taken on this issue by Country Alliance:

Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has condemned theBracks Government for its decision to totally remove cattle grazing in the Alpine National Park.

“Yesterday's announcement is very disappointing and is a strike to the heart of our alpine and rural heritage,” Mr Ingram said.

“Steve Bracks was elected in 1999 with the support of country voters and the decision on Alpine grazing shows quickly they have abandoned that support.

“It's a sad day for the families, the communities, the history and traditions of the alpine region,” Mr Ingram concluded

The National Party says that there is an acceptance that the rest of Telstra will be sold. ABC Online reports that Nationals Leader, John Anderson said people see the sale as inevitable and "there's just a belief that it's going to happen".

What ever happened to putting up a fight ?
Bracks bans grazing in Victoria's Alpine National Park
25 May 2005

The Bracks Government has banned cattle grazing in Victoria's Alpine National Park. The Government has announced with with little (if any ?) rationale. Greens Senator Bob Brown has backed the move, suggesting that any effort by the Federal Government to provide heritage protection would be a 'nonsense' and 'absurd'.

The Herald Sun said most of the 61 grazing licences expire in August this year while the remaining four expire in June next year. The licences held by 45 nominated licensees allow 8000 head of cattle to graze in the national park while another 10,000 head of cattle are allowed to graze in state forest outside the park.

"There is overwhelming scientific evidence that cows as hard-hooved heavy animals are damaging the sensitive alpine environment," Mr Bracks said according to the Herald Sun report.
Country Alliance continues its country side tour
23 May 2005

Country Alliance has not only had stalls at shows, but it has been been busy addressing groups in a number of regional centres. CA has given talks in Shepparton, Benalla, Geelong, Darnham, Cranbourne, Bendigo, Wangaratta, Healesville, and will soon be holding talks in Horsham and Bairnsdale after which CA will be applying for party registration (gotta get those talks out of the way first, don't we ?).

Our talks have focussed on reforms to the upper house, the current level of representation by the existing major parties and the opportunity that exists to ensure regional interests have direct political representation. All talks have gone well and been well received
Federal Govt proposal to set new magazine capacity restrictions
22 May 2005

The Combined Firearms Council of Victoria's website reports that the Federal Attorney General's Department is pushing to 'revise' the categories of firearm licences which would have the effect of banning centrefire rifles with magazine capacities and even some air rifles. It proposes to restrict rifles and shotguns to 1 and 2 shots.

More information can be seen at www.cfcv.org.au
Weekly Times triple header: land clearing, rates and budget
19 May 2005

This weeks Weekly Times carries three stories of interest to Country Alliance.

Rate rises: An article by Peter Hunt and Paul Sellars shows how small rural shires would need to increase rates by 14.4 per cent every year for 10 years just to stem the decline in local infrastructure. The Municipal Association of Victoria says that the lack of reasonable growth in government grants has failed to keep pace with inflation.

New bush clearing rules: Peter Hunt also reports on the complexity of the new rules to clear vegetation which could see someone wanting to clear 4ha, having to have offsets of up to 30ha. The formula is so complex, the administrator of this website doesn't understand it!

Federal Budget: The National Farmers' Federation says it was disappointed that there was no money to underpin native vegetation reforms and ALP's Gavan O'Connor sayd the budget did little for farmers and cut funds for key rural programs to pay for election promises. AUSVEG said there was some good news for producers, but that the budget failed to deliver on key rural issues.
Victoria's new planning rules leave farmers gasping
17 May 2005

The Weekly Times carries a story about new rules which will require landholders to incur face hefty consultants' fees and massive new plantings.

The report says that farmers who clear a single hectare of bushland would face having to plant or protect up to 20ha more of native vegetation on their land. The complex and vague guidelines have been slammed by the Municipal Association of Victoria and farmer groups, who argue they are so onerous and complex that land clearing would grind to a halt or be carried out illegally.

The report says that the draft rules have been prepared by the Department of Sustainability and Environment, which has developed a raft of new formulas to calculate the amount of vegetation that would need to be preserved or planted if a landowner wished to clear bush.

People who spoke to The Weekly Times said the new draft guidelines were so full of jargon that they were incomprehensible.

Mathematical formulas have been combined with new phrases such as habitat scores, habitat hectares, prior management, maintenance, active management, revegetation or regeneration and enhanced security gains, to leave many scratching their heads in disbelief.
Howard comes up trumps on forests; greenies complain again
14 May 2005

The Howard Government has unveiled a $250 million plan to protect a million trees in Tasmania's old-growth forests and protect thousands of the state's timber workers jobs.

The Age reports that about 100 protestors are now picketing the PM's home in Sydney, arguing that the plan has not gone far enough.

The Herald Sun reports that the election commitment has been refined to balance environmental and economic interests, by preserving 87 per cent of the Tarkine and 53 per cent of the Styx forests.

The PM said the package as good national policy, preserved jobs and environmental concerns.

Environmental groups switched their focus from the protected Styx and Tarkine forests to the Blue Tier, Ben Lomond and North East Highlands. As noted by the Herald Sun, Greens Senator Bob Brown described it as "poison" for Tasmania's forests.

"Not one acre of forests gets national park protection," Senator Brown said, according to the Herald Sun.

The paper has also reported that Labor leader Kim Beazley said the package was a vindication for Labor's plan at the election, and would have the Opposition's support.
May newsletter now available
2 May 2005

Our next newsletter is now available online. We have qualifed to register as a political party for some time now and anticipate applying for registration shortly.

It is being sent out to all members but can also be downloaded by going to our 'newsletters' page or by clicking here.
Nationals push for fewer country electorates
29 April 2005

The National Party in Victoria has said it preferred a model for the Upper House of the Victorian State Parliament that had fewer MP's representing country interests. The National Party says it does not want regional seats to take in outer urban areas and that they would prefer to have 10 MP's under their model than the 15 (some incorporating outer urban areas) currently proposed.

The problem we see with this, is that accepting fewer country seats would increase the number of seats that the Greens could target.
Telstra services not guaranteed: Nationals
27 April 2005

ABC News has reported National Party leader John Anderson as saying that the Federal Government cannot guarantee the level of services in regional areas by Telstra over the next 10 or 15 years.

It says that the party is considering its position on the sale of Telstra and acknowledges that it cannot guarantee that services would not eventually fall behind in country areas.
Poetry, now here
25 April 2005

One of our members gave me his poem - he's a poet which means I can't use the line "he's a poet and doesn't know-it"... anyway, here it is:

Dark shadows over the mountains are starting to arise, due to Government bowing to the Greenies, not prepared to compromise.

Mountain cattle grazing soon no longer may exist and when the high plains do go up, I'm sure your chauffer driven car will sadly be missed.

The leases of the mountain cattlemen and women now are under threat, "don't take these leases away you silly bastards" or you really will regret.

You talk of cattle devastation on these mountain runs, but if you keep listening to the greenies you're going to fall on your flat bums.

The 2003 fires in the high plains were only a glimpse of things to come,if these so called experts keep listening to these greenie bums.

The Government has already cut back funding; Department of Natural Resources are too slow. - so get back down to earth mate and let the cattle go.

Let the likes of the Treasures, the Lovicks and the Purcells cattle graze. For the mountain cattlemen and their families are the true conservationalists and have been for many a day.

So pay your dues you city beauracrats and let the cattle graze, get rid of the shadow over the mountains and make sure its not a smokey haze.

For you cannot hug a burning tree this I tell you for a fact, so keep the cattle grazing the high plains and they will stay intact.

Yahoo! News reports that Tasmania has introduced a $100 for bush walkers to walk the state's Overland Track. The track runs across the Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park in the state's west.

The new fee apply during the peak tourist season and is reportedly to assist in the maintenance of the track.

The article says that the Tasmanian National Parks Association is concerned the proposed charge will deter locals from doing the trek.

"Well, we'll sit down with the Parks and Wildlife Service and look at the overall strategy that they're adopting," president Robert Campbell said.
'VicNats' falls flat on face
17 April 2005

The Weekly Times reports that the National Party (Vic) has dumped its VicNats slogan has lived its short live and been replaced with "It's common sense". The paper reports that this is a reference to common sense being built into legislation and decision making - which is very much the theme that the Country Alliance has been running for several months. It is nice to see the National Party following suit.

The paper also reports that the National Party wants to continue its agreement with the Liberal Party in Victoria not to contest each other at elections. State leader, Peter Ryan, say he would rather be contesting against Labor and the two independents in Victoria, Russell Savage and Craig Ingram.

Given we support the positions taken by the two independents on various issues, this places CA in an interesting position.

Meanwhile the Weekly Times reports that Liberal leader Robert Doyle has not decided if his party will reciprocate.
SA Libs don't want Mt Gambier Parliamentary sitting
8 April 2005

Yahoo! News has come up with a story on how the Libs in SA do not want Parliament to sit at Mount Gambier, in the state's south east. One Liberal MP said it was a waste of money and another said it was a stunt. Click here to read it.

Nationals urge WA independent to reject 'one vote, one value'
8 April 2005

Click here to read a story on Yahoo! News about how the Nationals in WA want independent MP Alan Cadby to reject legislation to reduce the number of country seats in that state's parliament.

The legislation, dubbed 'one vote, one value' will undoubtedly have an adverse impact on regional areas.

Duck shooting - the verdict
2 April 2005

The Border Mail ran a brief poll on duck shooting and the following results are pretty telling. It can be seen here.

The 'whacky tobaccy' debate
29 March 2005

If you go to our opinions page, you will see an article by the Herald Sun's Deputy Editor which provides an interesting view of the Australian Press Council's decision to side with the Greens in relation to a complaint they lodged about an article printed by the Herald Sun last year. Worth a read.

Carbines congratulates Government on ending
Otways logging
28 March 2005

This was found in the 'Notices' paper for the Upper House of the Victorian State Parliament for 19 April 2005. Ms Carbines is the Member for Geelong Province. Remember this, if your livelihood depends on logging in the area.

MS. ELAINE CARBINES -To move, That this House congratulates the State government for its visionary policy to protect the Otways by creating a national park from Anglesea to Cape Otway and ending logging by 2008

Four Corners gets it wrong on Tassy timber
23 March 2005

Click here to read a very interesting story from the Sydney Morning Herald about an inaccurate item that appeared on ABC's Four Corners program.

It is written by a chap who explores the extraordinary defensiveness of the ABC and the Australian Museum, which administers the Peter Hunt Eureka Prize.

Healesville Timber Festival
13 March 2005

People wanting to lock up more forests without reason should be worried. Our second outing, this time at the Healesville Timber Festival, turned out to be more successful than we had hoped - easily surpassing the 4WD show. Below is a pic from the show with the motley crew helping us out - downing cans of Coke and all.

Our t-shirts also proved popular, selling out - even the one on display in the photo went. We are even ordering another 2000 application forms which probably tells you something about the need for a party dedicated to regional interests. No doubt we'll see you at other festivals during the year ... even after we register ....

Victorian MP's abandon country life
7 March 2005

Read this story in the Herald Sun about how all of Victoria's Senators have turned their backs on the bush to set up official electorate offices in suburban Melbourne.

Need we say more ?
Need we say more to explain why Country Alliance is needed ?

This is worth downloading and sticking up on your fridge.

Greens pressure NSW Government for more national parks
6 March 2005

The Greens have continued on their relentless push for national parks. Read this story about a push for new national parks in the Pilliga and Goonoo state forests in central west NSW.

The reports quotes Dubbo sawmill owner and the chairman of the NSW Cypress Industry Plan, Max Ramien, as saying that a 50 per cent reduction would destroy the timber industry in that region.

Anti-forestry group defies insurance rules
26 February 2005

Anti logging protesters in Tassy have defied a requirement that they get public liability insurance for damage they could cause.

The story, which you can read about by clicking here from the ABC's website, reports that the organisers refused to get coverage on the basis that they didn't think it was necessary.

Country Alliance's first outing
20 February 2005

Today saw two 'firsts' for Country Alliance. The first 'first', was our first outing. To date, recruitment has been largely via word of mouth and groups we have addressed.

Today, we had a stall at the 4 wheel drive show and it is fair to say we are very happy with the result. The need for Country Alliance was easily recognisable by those who attended and was matched by the numbers of people who joined up.

Below is a pic from the show featuring Russell Bate, one of our Executive members.

The second 'first', is the outing of our new t-shirts. These were provided to those who staffed our stall, but from the response from passers by, we will be making them publicly available soon.

The slogan you see is printed on the back. On the front is our 'standard' slogan that fills up the top half of our bumper stickers.

Victorian MP floats possibility of independence
17 February 2005

The Ballarat Courier has run this story on Ballarat Province MLC, Dianne Hadden. Ms Hadden is reported as saying she is disillusioned by the ALP and is intent on representing her constituency - a value which Country Alliance holds close to its heart.

We will monitor what she decides to do with great interest.

NSW Environmentalists accuse breaches of logging rules
15 February 2005

Environmentalists in NSW are calling for a public inquiry into alleged breaches of logging conditions in the Pilliga and Goonoo state forests in central western New South Wales.

Click here for the story on Yahoo! News.

Brown lacks confidence
15 February 2005

This story on Yahoo! News reports that Greens Senator Bob Brown would not talk to Japanese paper companies because of legal action currently against the Greens stemming from wood processing company, Gunns, in Tasmania.

We wonder if he has taken legal advice in relation to what either he or the Greens have done or said in the past. Surely if he was confident about his position, he would just pick up the phone ?

Federal Election Donations
1 February 2005
The AEC has today revealed the donors to the political parties during 2003/04- and there were some interesting facts.

Yahoo! News has reported that Family First Party, which (according to Yahoo! News) claimed to have raised more than a million dollars, has declared less than $28,000 in donations. Yahoo! News reports that Family First's return reveals just three donors, with the largest amount of $23,920 coming from Hardel Proprietary Limited, a director of which is Family First's Federal Chairman.

Another media report on Yahoo! News said that the Citizens Electoral Council's largest donor, donated more than the largest donor to the Liberal Party.

It said a H R Gillham from Queensland reportedly gave $870,000 to the Citizens Electoral Council, while the Melbourne-based Cormack Foundation reportedly donated $800,000 to the Liberals.

The largest donation to the Labor Party of $5m came from the ALP's Queensland investment arm, Labor Resources.

Cattlemen score crucial support in campaign
29 January 2005
The Mountain Cattlemens Association of Victoria has scored crucial support in their campaign to have their grazing licences extended.

On 28 January, the Federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage announced his intention to recognise the natural and cultural heritage of alpine grazing, if the Victorian State Government threatens grazing licences.

MCAV President, Simon Turner, said he hoped the State Government recognised the strong support for alpine grazing shown by the Federal Government

"The Minister's decision has cemented the importance of the cultural, historic and heritage values of alpine grazing by successive generations of Victorian mountain cattlemen," he said.

"The decision means that we can continue to campaign in the sure knowledge that we have the key support of the Federal Government.

Mr Turner said he looked forward to working with the Victorian Government to ensure that the heritage of the mountain cattlemen is kept alive by renewing alpine grazing licences.

It is even easier to join Country Alliance
20 January 2005
As if it wasn't already easy to join Country Alliance, we have now made it even easier !

From today, you can join by sending your form in without a stamp to our new reply paid address, which is:

Country Alliance
Reply Paid 253
Mitcham Vic 3132
(no stamp needed)

Anti-loggers being sought for fire at forest barricade
14 January 2005
Interpret how you wish, but this story in the Herald Sun suggests anti logging protesters are being sought in relation to the cause of a fire in Victoria's south-east today near an area where they protested.

A logging contractor who reported the fire, reportedly told the Department of Sustainability and Environment there were eight to 10 people at the scene but by the time fire crews arrived they had left.

Grazier facing jail after losing land
14 January 2005
In one of the strangest stories seen for a while, a grazier from Queensland who allegedly interfered with heritage forest, handed over his land, and now faces charges after logging the land to allow his cattle to move between properties,

Click here to read it.

Mallee farmers shortchanged on drought relief:
Mildura MP Russell Savage
12 January 2005
Mildura Independent MP, Russell Savage, has hit out at plans by the Federal Government to exclude much of the Mallee (eg Tempy East, Patchewollock, west of Hopetoun, south west of Walpeup and west of Underbool) from the drought relief measures proposed for the Wimmera / Mallee area.

Mr Savage has urged the State Minister for Agriculture, Bob Cameron, to extend the application of drought relief to farmers affected by drought who live outside the targetted areas. The drought relief boundaries were based on observed rainfall patterns.

Click here to see Mr Savage's media release.

The Country Alliance does not believe that the policy, as announced by Federal National Party MP Warren Truss, truly reflects the needs of regional areas.

Victorian Government goes overboard on indigenous land management
23 December 2004
Victoria's Department of Sustainability and Environment has put out a discussion paper called "Indigenous Land Management Framework" which floats the idea of handing over to indigenous bodies, all Crown land and leasing it back to the Victorian State Government. It details 'complaints' that Aborigines should not be bound by the same rules as non-Aborigines.

Click here to download the discussion paper. Comments to DSE are requested by 31 December 2004.

The view of Country Alliance is that all Victorians should be treated equally. We do not agree with elevating one part of the community above another.

Brown vows to continue old-growth forest campaign
16 December 2004
Yahoo reported that Greens leader Bob Brown will take his campaign to stop the clear felling of Tasmania's old-growth forests to some of the state's biggest woodchip customers.

Yahoo's article reports that Senator Brown says he will visit Japan for a global Greens meeting in February. He apparently vowed not to be silenced despite being part of the "Gunns 20", a group of conservationists and organisations being sued by Gunns for almost $6.5 million.

Liberal MP accuses Nationals of pork-barreling
8 December 2004
According to the ABC's website, Liberal member for Hume, Alby Schulz, accused the National Party of misusing taxpayers' money to buy votes.

Schultz is reportedly angry the Government has refused to build a bypass around the town of Murrumbateman, north of Canberra, in his electorate and said the money has instead been used to pork-barrel National Party seats.

"Obviously there's been enormous money put in to into marginal seats and to seats that the National Party hold, simply to ensure that their votes coming into the election were maximised, to the extent that the pork barrelling allowed it to be," the ABC has quoted Schultz as saying.

"That is disgraceful, it's reprehensible, it's a misuse of taxpayers funds."

CA's first newsletter hits the streets
8 December 2004
Our first newsletter will be put in the mail tomorrow. It contains quite a few 'goodies' for those interested in keeping up with the news. You can download the newsletter by selecting 'newsletters' under 'party' on the menu bar above.

Labor accuses Government of not
being serious on forests
30 November 2004
The Federal opposition has accused the Howard Government of not being serious about implementing it's pledge to quarantine 170,000 ha of forests in Tasmania, after consultation became delayed.

Click here to read more about this from the ABC website.

Bracks moves to expand Otways National Park
29 November 2004
The Bracks Government looks like expanding the Otways National Park.

Click here to see what the Government is up to, just weeks after Parliament approved (with the support of the Liberals) even more national parks

Federal Nats Leader accused of bribery
17 November 2004
Federal National Party Leader, John Anderson, has been accused of attempting to bribe Independent MP Tony Windsor. As reported in the Herald Sun, Mr Windsor accused Mr Anderson and Nationals senator Sandy Macdonald under parliamentary privilege, of sending Tamworth businessman Greg Maguire to ask him what it would take for him not to recontest his seat.

The AFP is investigating the claims

Labor pokes head up for another belting
13 November 2004
The Labor Party has apparently affirmed its position on logging in Tasmania. Click here to read how the ALP wants to prevent logging in nearly a quarter of a million hectares. The ALP has claimed that misinformation got in the way of the truth.

Andrew Bolt on Green's logging policy
8 November 2004
The Herald Sun's Andrew Bolt has shown how the Green's policy of stopping logging can actually kill a forest. Read this to see how logging is actually needed to help regenerate forests - not that it suits those opposed to logging though.

Greens upset at preferential voting system
7 November 2004
The Herald Sun has reported that the Australian Greens were angry at the election of a Family First senator in Victoria. The article says that the Greens won almost five times as many first preference votes but lost out on preferences from the Coalition, Labor and minor parties.

Greens leader, Bob Brown lashed out at Labor, describing the outcome as a 'perverse result' and complained that there was a 'deal to elect a Howard backstop rather than a progressive senator like David Risstrom'.

This, from a party that owes its success to the preferential voting system.

Nationals may support sale of Telstra
2 November 2004
This article suggests that the National Party may be prepared to support the sale of Telstra - which Country Alliance totally opposes.

The article suggests that the National Party will keep its options on the sale open. Country Alliance believes Telstra needs to stay in public hands to ensure that the Governments focus on telecommunications remains on services, not profits.

Nats grab balance of power, future of Telstra in their hands
28 October 2004
The final count from the Federal Election has delivered the National Party five senators giving them the balance of power in the Senate. They also have 12 members in the lower house.

Media reports suggest that while there have been those within the party who believed the Nationals' have been undermined by the Liberals, the need for the Liberals to rely on the Nats to pass legislation puts the shoe on the other foot.

The test that Country Alliance believes will be critical is whether the Nationals will cut a deal to push through the sale of Telstra. We wait with interest to see what happens.

Victoria faces a fiery summer
22 October 2004
This article reports that Victoria is facing another tough bushfire season.

Of course the Government has blamed this in on rainfall but been silent on its own management of parks which has been widely criticised and condemned.

Marine park fever hits Queensland
21 October 2004
This article on Yahoo reports that the introduction of more marine parks in Queensland is likely to cost jobs and marine food variety at local shops.

There will be 50 new fishing closures, including areas critically important to the viability of commercial fishers.

Labor, Liberals vote for more parks
13 October 2004
ALP and Liberal MP's voted for more national parks in the Spring session of Parliament. Legislation to create the new parks has received royal assent and will now come into force. The National Party MP's opposed the legislation.

Hall flags parks opposition
11 October 2004
Peter Hall, National Party MLC, has flagged the likely opposition by The Nationals of the Government's proposal to create more national parks. In Parliament last week, he said that a framework for the addition to the national parks system was needed..

Joe Hockey: 'Greener than greenies'
25 September 2004
Mike O'Connor from the CFMEU has described Federal Coalition MP, Joe Hockey as 'greener than greenies' after Hockey expressed concern that logging in old growth forests would result in the loss of them as a tourism drawcard.

This article from the Herald Sun quotes O'Connor as saying that the Coalition can expect to lose seats by adopting the extreme views of groups such as the Wilderness Society. He said that the CFMEU will step up its campaign to protect jobs for timberworkers and fight for their families and communities.

Nationals miss out on preference deal to Democrats
18 September 2004
A Queensland Nationals' candidate, Barnaby Joyce, reportedly said that the Democrats would give their preferences to Family First and that this would be a blow to the Nationals.

He said that a return preference deal to the Democrats supported gay marriages but had expected Family First would preference the National Party.

Big Bob - the Brown Nut
16 September 2004
ABC today reported on its website that Federal National Party Leader John Anderson, described Green's leader Bob Brown as a nut. He described the Greens as a watermelon - green on the outside and red like communists on the inside.

The author of a letter in a paper later described Brown as an avocado - green on the outside and soft and mushy green on the inside with a "great big brown nut in the middle".

VFF challenge Greens over water policy
13 September 2004
The Victorian Farmers Federation has called on Green candidates in Victoria to recognise the value and importance of farming in the Goulburn Valley and retract its 3000 gigalitre 'water diversion' policy. This article explains that the Greens intend to divert the water to the Murray Darling system.

Fed Government challenged on forest policy
13 September 2004
Country Alliance member, Norman Endacott, has written to Federal MP Kevin Andrews on his Government's position on forest policy 'kowtowing' to the Greens. Click here to see the letter written by someone obviously well qualified to comment on such matters. CA will be interested to learn how Mr Andrews replies.

English hunters protest against new laws
12 September 2004
If you thought a progressive ban on hunting is not a reality without political presence, then think again. The Herald Sun reports that a ban on fox hunting could be rushed through British Parliament by PM Tony Blair.

Greens policies under fire
31 August 2004
If you thought the Greens were loopy, then how much more proof do you need than in this article from the Herald Sun.

The article details a number of Greens policies, including one to kick farmers off their land, tolerance towards illegal drugs and cutting meat intake. Do we, as a community, really want these people to determine our future ??

Victorian Liberals support more national parks
28 August 2004
According to Hansard, a senior Liberal MP told Parliament that the Liberal Party welcomes the 37000 further hectares proposed by the Bracks Government to be added to the national park system.

Queenslanders suffer same marine park blues as Victorians
24 August 2004
This article shows Queensland going through the same regressive steps in establishing marine parks as Victoria. It reports that a University of Queensland report found the proposed fishing closures would cost the seafood industry $6 million in lost product and over 150 jobs.

Regional telco prices to rise under Telstra proposal
23 August 2004
A report in the Herald Sun suggests that a proposal by Telstra to end price caps will mean 'reviewing' the local call parity arrangements enabling callers outside capital cities to pay about the same price for untimed local calls as their city counterparts. In other words, if Telstra gets their way, you could be paying more than you currently do for untimed local calls in the bush.

Photography licence needed in Victorian parks
18 August 2004
This link provides proof that Victoria has gone truly mad - you now need a $275 licence to take photographs in parks managed by Parks Victoria.

ABC report suggests Greens support growing
15 August 2004
ABC has reported that a Taverner poll of New South Wales and Victorian voters published in the Sunday Age shows the Greens' primary vote improving by four points to 11 per cent, eclipsing the Australian Democrats, whose vote remains at 2 per cent.

ABC reports that Greens NSW Senate candidate John Kaye said that if that level of support holds up on polling day, his party stands to gain a number seats in the NSW Upper House.

Myers QC opinion on Esplin report
4 August 2004
Some of you may have seen an article in The Age referring to criticism of an inquiry by the State Government into the 2003 bushfires. This advice has now been provided to us and expands on the explosive findings of Alan Myers QC. Let's see how many journo's pick up on this !

SA Nats deny split
27 July 2004
South Australia's National Party president denied his party has split from the federal body. This follows last week's dramatic move by its sole state MP to the Labor Government's front bench.

State National Party president John Venus reportedly denied the split, saying his withdrawal from federal party meetings is a temporary measure until after the federal election.

He reportedly said he wanted to avoid at all costs anything that made it awkward for the federal party to pursue it's goal of forming another coalition Government.

Could WA Democrats self destruct ?
27 July 2004
The future of the Australian Democrats party in Western Australia will be decided in two weeks, after an official objection was lodged against the possible deregistration of the party in the state.

The formal deregistration of the Democrats in WA began two weeks ago after Warick Gately, Acting Electoral Commissioner said he was not satisfied the party had 500 members.

RSPCA puts its nose into feral cat business
7 July 2004
The RSPCA in Queensland has baulked at a plan to cull feral cats. The Richmond Shire Council says that a proposal to introduce a bountry to protect birdlife and native animals was passed council late last month without any dissent from pet owners.

Regional issues the key to state election
15 June 2004
This article from The Age confirms the importance of regional issues in a broader state election.

Water restrictions cost jobs (NSW)
15 June 2004
More evidence of the impact that urban decisions are having on regional communities.

Greenies blamed for bushfires
10 June 2004
This article in The Australian demonstrates the problem when bad policy developed by urbanites collides with regional Victoria.


Dapper Nationals
1 June 2004
This article appeared in The Age in early June 2004 on National Party MP, Julian McGauran's focus on tweed, from his electoral office - representing country Victoria - in Collins Street. Country Alliance prefers overalls to tweed ...