When the Nationals announced they were leaving the Coalition with the Liberals on Tuesday, it emerged that four key policies they wanted for regional Australia played a part in the decision.
These included commitments to boost telecommunication coverage and infrastructure funding outside the big cities.
Anne Webster (left) with Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie at a press conference.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
So how do the 9.3 million Australians who live outside the eight biggest cities – many of them in the 15 seats the Nationals hold or else in Liberal seats – feel about their choice?
It depends who you talk to.
Loading
When Anne Webster, member for Mallee in Victoria’s northwest, took to Facebook to explain the Nationals’ decision, people left mixed feedback.
“The right move at this point in time,” wrote one person.
“One of the safest seats in the country now has little to no voice in the parliament,” wrote another. “At least in partnership with the Liberals we had a voice at the opposition table. Now nothing.”
Wrote a third: “Despite your magnificent representation of the region, it was hard enough getting anything done for us from the wrong side of the dispatch box. That job just got impossible …”
Webster responded that she would continue to fight hard for Mallee, and that both parties remain open to reuniting.
Our columnist Tony Wright grew up in the Wannon electorate, directly south of Mallee on Victoria’s southwest coast. The Liberal MP there, Dan Tehan, survived a third consecutive challenge from popular independent Alex Dyson at this election.
You can read Tony’s view here.
Read the full article here
