A lot achieve in 2012
25-January-2012
Dear Friends,
I know that once you drop the children off at school that this coincides with the imminent escalation in the political tempo. Mr Wilkie has certainly done that.
Australia remains a great country despite the fact it lacks a competent stable government. In four years, the Rudd-Gillard government has shown themselves to be deceitful, dysfunctional, directionless and clueless. The public are overwhelmingly dismayed at just how hopeless this crowd has become and now Labor seem to be doing a great job at getting worse.
This government is based on a lie.
This year, the government plans to introduce the world's biggest carbon tax – even though Julia Gillard promised Australians she wouldn't. Having ripped off the Australian public, she has now ripped off Andrew Wilkie on her poker machine deal. They say that when a person breaks their word the first time they are a fool; when you let them do it a second time, you are.
The government is dysfunctional because the nation's Prime Minister does not talk to the nation's Foreign Minister. Kevin is already actively planning for a 'high noon' soap opera, on again off again, leadership tilt sometime this year. As the world teeters on the brink of another financial crisis, this is a distraction Australia can't afford.
The government lacks direction because it does not have a plan to get its reckless debt and spending under control. Labor's four years in government have delivered Australia its four biggest budget deficits on record. Gross debt has skyrocketed to over $220 billion, over $18,000 for every Australian taxpayer.
Labor's only defence now is that "it could be worse", at least we are not Greece. That attitude is not good enough, it fails to do Australia justice.
The Nationals have a better way to restore fiscal discipline, invest in regional Australia and deliver a fair share to those that need it
The Nationals in government will make sure that, as a nation, we live within our means and do not leave the crushing legacy of debt to our children. We will hold Labor to account on its promise to restore the budget to surplus.
The Nationals will invest in regional Australia because it makes good economic sense to invest in the area which creates over 70 per cent of our exports. Later this year, the Coalition will release a report on where Australia can invest in new dams. In government, The Nationals will increase Australia's production of food to meet the growing demands of the world, but be very mindful that we want that process to be overwhelmingly owned by Australians.
The Nationals will ensure that regional Australians gets their fair share of health, education and broadband services. All Australians deserve equal access to these essential services. This year, regional students have easier access to Youth Allowance thanks to the pressure The Nationals put on the Green-Labor-Independent government. Where it’s the family issues discussed around your kitchen table or the issues of the nation, The Nationals are at the forefront fighting on your behalf.
We have a lot to achieve in 2012 and I hope you can be part of that over the next year.
I wish you all the best for a successful 2012.
Kind regards,
Senator Barnaby Joyce
Leader of The Nationals in the Senate