I live in the country where Nats are traditionally very strong. Their problem it seems to me is always wanting more money spent in regional areas. What country people really want are same things as what urban people want (excluding communist Melbourne of course) and that is less tax & less regulation. We want less government not more.
I DON'T live in the country but suspect that the Nats problem is not that they want more money spent in regional areas but rather more money spent in their electorates.
Ribbon cuttings and plaques are great for the social media account.
It always makes me laugh when I hear some 'right wing' commentator opine how the Nationals are the 'real conservatives', while the Liberals are Labor-Lite.
The fact is that the Nationals have always been rural socialists, first and foremost. Look at Bob Katter and KAP's policies - he left the Nats and set up his own party because they were not socialist enough for him. (And Katter is also a "proud CFMEU member" - a true conservative, surely!)
I met David Littleproud personally a few years ago. He's a climate bedwetter and it always amazed me that the farmers in Maranoa, which is his electorate and one of the safest Nat seats in the country, actually voted for him, because they are usually sensible and well-grounded people. So let us not be naive and expect any 'conservative' moves from a party led by him.
Having said all that, the Liberals are truly appalling and probably beyond salvage. This split is, I think, a good thing, because it will either push them to finally have a look at what they actually stand for - which is 'nothing' right now - or accelerate their final oblivion.
Then and only then we may see a third party rise from the ashes, along Reform in the UK.
In the meantime, the beatings will continue until morale improves. Albo is apparently now an economist, too, so between him and that nice Mr Chalmers, we can look forward to some brand-new Marxist policies. Because this time socialism will work, surely!
Seriously, what policies do they offer, other than alternative view on energy? They won't run on small government. I live regionally, and the amount spent on non essential (?) infrastructure, is Monday boggling.
I live in the country where Nats are traditionally very strong. Their problem it seems to me is always wanting more money spent in regional areas. What country people really want are same things as what urban people want (excluding communist Melbourne of course) and that is less tax & less regulation. We want less government not more.
I DON'T live in the country but suspect that the Nats problem is not that they want more money spent in regional areas but rather more money spent in their electorates.
Ribbon cuttings and plaques are great for the social media account.
Shooting range anyone?
It always makes me laugh when I hear some 'right wing' commentator opine how the Nationals are the 'real conservatives', while the Liberals are Labor-Lite.
The fact is that the Nationals have always been rural socialists, first and foremost. Look at Bob Katter and KAP's policies - he left the Nats and set up his own party because they were not socialist enough for him. (And Katter is also a "proud CFMEU member" - a true conservative, surely!)
I met David Littleproud personally a few years ago. He's a climate bedwetter and it always amazed me that the farmers in Maranoa, which is his electorate and one of the safest Nat seats in the country, actually voted for him, because they are usually sensible and well-grounded people. So let us not be naive and expect any 'conservative' moves from a party led by him.
Having said all that, the Liberals are truly appalling and probably beyond salvage. This split is, I think, a good thing, because it will either push them to finally have a look at what they actually stand for - which is 'nothing' right now - or accelerate their final oblivion.
Then and only then we may see a third party rise from the ashes, along Reform in the UK.
In the meantime, the beatings will continue until morale improves. Albo is apparently now an economist, too, so between him and that nice Mr Chalmers, we can look forward to some brand-new Marxist policies. Because this time socialism will work, surely!
I'd suggest that The Nats could win Metro seats from the Libs rather than the other way around.
Then let them go forth. Competition good in politics as it is in commerce. Could probably improve both of them.
Agree. Both contested Bendigo in the election. Nats 31,000 odd to Libs 11000 on first preferences.
Seriously, what policies do they offer, other than alternative view on energy? They won't run on small government. I live regionally, and the amount spent on non essential (?) infrastructure, is Monday boggling.