The Australian public never get it wrong and delivered two clear verdicts at the 3 May federal election. 

 First, across Mallee, The Nationals primary vote and two-party preferred swing went up against the national trend. The second verdict was that nationally, the Liberals lost 12 seats and now have 28 seats. The Nationals retained all 15 of their seats.

 The Liberals refused to stand by what The Nationals fought hard to secure before the election for regional Australia. After lengthy National Party MP meetings and deliberations, it is in Mallee’s and regional Australia’s best interests that for a time we stand apart from the Liberals.

 The Coalition took Nationals-secured policies to the election 3 weeks ago, for permanent future investment in regional Australia, guaranteed regional mobile and internet coverage, for nuclear energy becoming part of our energy mix and divestiture powers to hold the major supermarkets accountable for unfair treatment of our farmers.  As the Member for Mallee, I know these policy positions are also very much the majority view of Mallee voters.

 None of the three previous suspensions of the Coalition agreement have lasted longer than 9 months. I know my purpose - and The Nationals’ identity - is fighting for regional Australians. The Liberal Party now has space to find their identity again.  After every previous suspension of the Coalition agreement, we have come back stronger and ready to govern for all Australians.

 The unselfish principle of The Nationals’ decision to stand apart is demonstrated by the my Nationals parliamentary colleagues and their staff making personal sacrifices. My colleagues will lose significant pay and staff will lose their jobs.  The Nationals’ team decision on standing alone is about important principle and the regional interest.

 I assure readers that my arrangements, team and resolve for Mallee remain unchanged. I will continue working just as hard, fighting for you and representing you as your Member for Mallee.  Whether it is in Canberra or Spring Street, Labor governments continue to raid regions to buy votes in the cities.  Farmers and farming communities have turned out in force in Canberra and in Spring Street to protest. Labor is foisting 1,000 more wind turbines and hundreds of kilometres of huge transmission lines on distraught Mallee farming communities, 31 new state taxes and the latest ‘emergency services levy’ increase costing farmers thousands of dollars.

 The Nationals’ stand-alone, passionate regional voice has never been more important.

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