"PRIVATISATION AND DEREGULATION CONTINUE TO DESTROY RURAL QUEENSLAND", says CCAQ.
15th March 2000
"The threat of job losses in Telstra, plus the Commonwealth Bank/Colonial merger, to say nothing of the inevitability of declining service levels, is sending shivers down the spine of every regional community", according to City Country Alliance Executive Director and Parliamentary Senior Advisor, Ian Petersen. "While it is pleasing to see the loud protests of the Nationals, one really must wonder if they can actually do anything about it, given the fact that they are under the thumb of the Liberal albatross", he said.
"The Liberals are dictated to by their masters in the world of international big business", said Mr Petersen. "They don't care about Mr and Mrs Average Australian, and they care even less about Australians who live outside the big cities. Their dominance of the Coalition at the Federal level flows through to influence policy and decision making at the State level, preventing the Nationals from making decisions in the interests of the very people they should be representing - farmers, workers , and small business operators".
"Unfortunately, of course, Rob Borbidge signed off on an agreement limiting tree clearing on freehold land back in 1997. The Nationals also voted with the Labor party last year to compulsorily acquire freehold land from the Noble Family in Brisbane, even though the Supreme Court of Queensland had ruled in favour of the Nobles. Mr Borbidge appears quite comfortable supporting the Labor government, so it is obviously not difficult to support his Liberal mates as they allow economic rationalism to destroy regional Queensland", said Mr Petersen.
He said, "Suppression of true and faithful representation is another malady inflicted on society by the big three. It is almost impossible to overcome the iron fist of "the party machine". Several Nationals wanted to support our firearms bill, but were not allowed to. They voted against their conscience under the dictate of the party machine. A Labor stalwart was almost reduced to tears as he struggled with the conflict between his strongly held religious beliefs opposing the prostitution legislation and the demand from the party machine to support the bill. The party machine won out and the Member toed the party line".
"Sadly, the party machines will continue to rumble on", said Mr Petersen. "Any token opposition to privatisation of national assets will be quickly squashed. Any member of the Liberal Labor National triumverate who dares to speak out about the destruction of regional Australia will be brought to heal. The Katters and the Kellys will bleat in public, but will be muzzled in the party rooms, and Queensland battlers will continue to be ignored by the Liberals and their mates in Labor and the Nationals".
"What a stark contrast this provides when compared with the independence displayed by CCAQ Members of Parliament. They strongly and uncompromisingly represent the people of their electorate, no matter what", said Mr Petersen.
"City Country Alliance is the only conservative party which retains its complete independence. CCAQ is the only party which can break the stranglehold of the Labor - Liberal - National triumvirate of subservience to multi nationals and provide a future for farmers, workers and small business operators".
"CCAQ representatives are listening to their electorates and providing strong representation. They constitute a team which does care about rural and regional Queensland and will play a major role in restoring a future for "the bush". Time is running out, but with growing support across the State,
CCAQ is determined to restore the viability of the thousands of rural Queensland communities who are currently receiving less support than they deserve", said Mr Petersen.