The Nationals dump the Farmers
The current negotiations between Labor and the Conservatives over an ETS have made some significant changes to the Government’s plans but also exposed the National party to the harsh glare of farmers in general.
The failing membership of the Nats has been an ongoing problem the consequences of which have led to a declining number of seats in parliament. The problem seems to stem from the party requiring the votes of the farmers but the financial support of the Mining lobby. A more subtle collection of pollies might be able to handle these two groups when they clash but the current crop simply don’t seem to be bright enough to handle the situation.
In December last year Senator Joyce foolishly came out in support of the farmers over a Greens bill to require a water study before an exploration license was issued. One hostile phone call from Mitch Hook, CEO of the Minerals Council of Australia, and Barnaby did a back flip withdrawing support. This was bad enough but he compounded the damage when he went on to candidly reveal the fact that the phone call had occurred. Leaving the farmers with no doubt of where the party’s loyalties’ lie.
Now that an agreement for an ETS has included some serious concessions for farmers, and Barnaby Joyce is trying to hold back the tide, the farmers have to decide if they are going to side with the party who is in lockstep with the Miners or start looking ahead to how they can claim their rightful place as earners of carbon credits under new rules. I can’t see it being that hard a decision for them. Go with the Liberals and aim for a seat at the decision making table, or stick their heads in the sand and hope it all goes away.
If it was my farm and my income and my kids inheriting the property, I’d want to get inside the decision making process as soon as possible.
Related posts:
- Turnbull drops an easy pass. Again. The current unhappiness with uninvited guests refusing to leave an...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.