2012 has just started and already the Labor government’s agenda will impact regional communities. The government’s flagged its intention to again try to means-test the private health insurance rebate, putting more pressure on the already stretched public health system in regional areas.
Volunteers will be subject to unreasonable work health and safety laws, small business is drowning in red tape, and a leaked report proposes regional airlines at Sydney airport be moved out to Bankstown.
The agriculture sector faces proposed water cuts in the Murray Darling Basin, increasing foreign ownership of prime land and assets, cuts to live animal export permits to Indonesia, and a worrying shortage of graduates and skilled workforce.
The manufacturing and retail sectors are struggling and jobs are going in regional areas. All of this made worse by a carbon tax that starts in July and mounting government debt.
Regional Australians are fed up with being treated like second class citizens. The Nationals will fight on their behalf for a fair go.
Senator Fiona Nash
The Nationals Senator for NSW
Deputy Leader of the Nationals in the Senate
