The Nationals candidate for O’Connor, Philip Gardiner, has called on Labor candidate Dominic Rose to come clean on which country towns would miss out under Labor’s fibre to the node broadband plan.

“There has been little information released and I suspect many regional homes and businesses will find out they won’t have access to high speed broadband under Labor,” Mr Gardiner said.

“In contrast, The Nationals have a guaranteed plan to provide broadband, at practical though differential speeds, to every Australian who wants it.

“We will extend high speed broadband to 99 per cent of the population via a new state-of-the-art WiMAX, ADSL2+ and fibre broadband network and provide a $2750 2-way satellite broadband subsidy for the remaining one per cent.

“The Nationals moved to quarantine $2 billion in Government funding to provide broadband to rural, regional and remote Australia where commercial justification could not satisfy service delivery, with legislation passed in September.

Mr Gardiner said that a Labor Government would strip away the funding if they had the opportunity.

“I call on Dominic Rose to tell the people just who will miss out on Labor’s plan for broadband,” Philip Gardiner said.

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Philip Gardiner, Nationals candidate for O’Connor, has called on renegade Liberal MP Wilson Tuckey to cut out the half truths and scare tactics on export wheat marketing and start supporting WA farmers in their call to retain single desk wheat marketing.

Mr Gardiner said Mr Tuckey was out of touch with his electorate, in which growers had overwhelmingly supported the single desk system.

“Mr Tuckey has constantly ignored the voice of growers in O’Connor who have indicated they wish to retain the single desk system of marketing,” Mr Gardiner said.

“My consultation with growers has been that they support the single desk system and they want this view represented in Canberra.

“It is a pity Mr Tuckey has failed in this task.”

Mr Gardiner said that Federal Liberal MP’s The Hon Judi Moylan, Barry Haase and himself supported development of the proposal foreshadowed by the Wheat Export Marketing Alliance (WEMA) for the single desk system, which gave growers commercial strength in a market for Australian export wheat which is seriously weighted against them.

“In the end it’s not about me or Mr Tuckey, but about representing the views and best interests of the growers who are affected by government decisions,” Mr Gardiner said.

“The Ralph Report indicates that 70 per cent of WA growers support a single desk system. My National Party colleagues and I will continue to fight for certainty for Australian growers to ensure they can access maximum returns for their export wheat.”

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The Nationals candidate for O’Connor, Philip Gardiner, has welcomed the announcement that thirteen local schools in the electorate will each receive an Australian Government grant of up to $20,000 per year for three years, under the second round of the National School Chaplaincy Programme.

“I congratulate these schools, as this important funding will assist them to provide pastoral care and support student wellbeing,” Mr Gardiner said.

“School chaplains are already making valuable contributions to the personal and emotional wellbeing of many school communities nationally.

“In regional towns and cities the local school is often the cornerstone of the community, responsible not only for education but the social development of our children.”

Mr Gardiner said that country kids deserved the same support offered to their city counterparts.

“Too often our country kids are left with the bare bones of an education system,” Mr Gardiner said.

“We should be providing incentives for teachers to stay in the system, and if elected, I have promised to work with my Federal colleagues to deliver an increase in the tax free threshold for teachers.

“Appropriate pay and conditions, in addition to the support structures in the school itself, are all part of a successful formula to improve the education system for the kids, their families and the teachers.”

Electorate of O’Connor – School Chaplaincy Programme Grant recipients
John Willcock College, Geraldton
Ravensthorpe District High School, Ravensthorpe
Albany Senior High School
Jurien Bay District High School, Jurien Bay
Yakamia Primary School, Albany
Flinders Park Primary School, Albany
Little Grove Primary School, Flinders Park
Mount Locker Primary School, Albany
Spencer Park Primary School, Albany
Cervantes Primary School, Cervantes
Leeman Primary School, Leeman
Denmark Primary School, Denmark

Further information on the National School Chaplaincy programme, and details of all the successful Round Two schools is at: www.dest.gov.au/schools/chaplains

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Philip Gardiner, The Nationals candidate for O’Connor, said the ALP’s announcement to abandon the single desk for wheat marketing would come as a great shock to Western Australian wheat growers.

“It is quite clear that Labor does not understand what it takes to market wheat into a competitive international market,” Mr Gardiner said.

“Labor’s proposal, which has the support of the current Member for O’Connor Wilson Tuckey, locks growers into a system setting Australian wheat growers up to compete against each other.

“The consequence can only be the loss of the premium positioning of our product in the international market.”

Mr Gardiner said he had first hand experience in selling into international markets and understood the practicalities of the system.

“The Labor model, and the model Mr Tuckey is wedded to, is based on an economic theory that just doesn’t work in the real world,” Mr Gardiner said.

“What’s more, the vast majority of growers in Western Australia do not support the system Labor has proposed.

“On the other hand, The Nationals in Government have worked with industry stakeholders to put forward a plan that reflects both an understanding of the international wheat market and foreshadows a structure which will serve Australian bulk wheat exports in markets be they weighted in favour of either the seller or buyer.

“Let’s not lapse into the mood of the market always favouring the seller - it never lasts.

“Growers have until 1 March 2008 to establish a new single desk entity, completely separate from AWB, capable of managing the single desk.

“This decision supported the findings of the Ralph Committee, which spent months consulting with thousands of growers in every wheat growing state in Australia, and concluded that 70% of growers wanted a grower-owned and controlled entity to manage the single desk.”

Growers across Australia have formed the Wheat Export Marketing Alliance (WEMA), and are working to establish an entity to manage the single desk following the current harvest.

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The Nationals’ candidate for O’Connor has used his campaign launch in Geraldton to call on the Federal Government to break ranks with the United States and ratify the Kyoto Protocol.

Mr Gardiner said that signing up to the Kyoto Protocol would mean a win for the environment, business and the community.

“The Federal Government continues to resist signing any document with binding targets for the reduction of carbon emissions despite support some sectors of the business community and electorate in general,” Mr Gardiner said.

“The Australian business community is innovative and robust, and I have no doubt it will adapt readily to a carbon pricing scheme with carbon emission reduction targets when required.

“A target for a reduction in emissions would set a clear price signal and framework for business and industry to plan and invest in a new ‘climate conscious’ economy.”

Mr Gardiner said that Australia, as a prosperous and educated society, had a responsibility to set a leading example in the international community.

“It’s time we signed the current Kyoto Protocol and got on with working out the details for Kyoto ‘Mach II’,” Mr Gardiner said.

Mr Gardiner also used his campaign launch to further announce his support for a tax break for teachers, police and nurses.

“Our public service is bleeding out into the private sector where pay and conditions are far superior,” Mr Gardiner said.

“These workers are at the coal face of our communities and their pay does not reflect the valuable contribution they make to society.

“If elected, I will be pursing an increase in the tax free threshold for teachers, police and nurses.”

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Philip Gardiner, The Nationals’ candidate for O’Connor, has welcomed the announcement of $340 million to assist farmers and regional small businesses as they continue to endure the impact of the worst drought on record.

Farmers battling the severe effects of drought in the North Eastern Wheatbelt and Southern Rangelands areas will have their Exceptional Circumstances (EC) support extended from the current expiry date of March 2008 out to September 2008.

“The extension of EC assistance until September 2008 indicates the Australian Government’s commitment to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with farmers through this exceptional, devastating drought,” Mr Gardiner said.

“However I do remain concerned that the assistance will be insufficient to aid the planting of next year’s crop for many Western Australian farmers hit by successive drought years.

“I will be highlighting this as the process continues to ensure our Federal colleagues continue to consider additional assistance and explore new avenues of support for those people worst hit by this devastating natural disaster.”

Mr Gardiner particularly welcomed the allowance for small business operators employing up to 100 staff, and whose income is at least 70% dependent on supplying farm products or services to farmers within EC-declared areas, to apply for assistance, even if their businesses are located outside the EC area.

“I urge farmers and small business operators not to self-assess, but to contact the Drought Assistance Hotline on 13 23 16 to investigate their eligibility as soon as possible,” Mr Gardiner said.

“I am committed to providing a strong voice for our regional communities in these difficult times and will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with farmers and small business owners to make sure they receive the best advice and support from the Government.”

The Australian Government offers a range of other drought assistance measures including support for local farm workers under the Drought Force Programme, and financial, social and emotional counselling services.

For further information visit the DAFF website at www.daff.gov.au/droughtassist.

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Philip Gardiner is working hard to make sure the voters in the Federal Electorate of O’Connor know they have a real choice of candidates at the upcoming Federal election.

“As The Nationals’ candidate, I am working hard to make sure people know they have a real decision to make at the next Federal election,” Mr Gardiner said.

“For too long O’Connor has been poorly represented by a member that now focuses on fringe issues with little concern or regard for the major issues that are impacting on the people who live, work and invest in regional Western Australia.

“I’m talking about critical issues such as the quarantining of funding in the Federal health budget for our regional hospitals and health services; more aged care facilities so elderly residents can remain close to their family and friends; improving the education experience for our children and teachers; and directing funds into transport infrastructure to ensure our roads are safe and efficient for all users.”

Mr Gardiner said a Rudd Labor Government would not deliver on these critical regional issues and the current representative was focussed on issues outside the electorate.

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The Nationals federal candidate for O’Connor has called on the Federal Government to ensure funding for country health is quarantined in the next Australian Health Care Agreement to prevent the State Government from diverting dollars into city projects.

“I fully support Nationals WA leader Brendon Grylls’ call to guarantee that 24/7 emergency services are maintained in WA wheatbelt hospitals,” Mr Gardiner said.

“The draft discussion paper released by Country Health Services should never have seen the light of day and has caused widespread concern and anger in the communities that have been targeted.”

Mr Gardiner, who was today doorknocking the Great Southern town of Albany, said country people were sick and tired of seeing their services being pulled into the Perth metropolitan area.

“Hospitals, police stations and schools are essential services that should be accessible to everyone, regardless of geography,” Mr Gardiner said.

“One of the primary objectives listed in the Australian Health Care Agreement between the Commonwealth and the Western Australian Government is that arrangements are to be in place to ensure equitable access to services for all eligible persons regardless of their geographic location.

“I believe the next agreement, due to be renegotiated next year, should have strict guidelines for the allocation of funds for country health.

“Furthermore, I fully support calls from the public that the extraordinary wealth being generated in the regions should be being used to refurbish, renew and rebuild hospital services throughout the State.”

Mr Gardiner said he would be making sure as many people as possible were aware of the plan so the State Government was left with no doubt as to public sentiment on the matter.

He said it was vitally important to have a Western Australian National in Canberra looking after the interests of country WA because the Liberal and Labor Party’s were focussed on city voters to the detriment of the regions.

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Local families will welcome the Australian Coalition Government’s commitment to fit seat belts on school buses in rural and regional areas, Nationals candidate for O’Connor, Philip Gardiner, said today.

“There are many families reliant on the local school bus to safely deliver our children to and from school,” Mr Gardiner said.

“Very few of the older buses are fitted with seat belts, so while children are buckling up when travelling in cars, they generally don’t have the opportunity to do so on the sometimes lengthy bus ride to school.

“I applaud the Australian Government’s plan to provide subsidies of up to $25,000 per bus to rural and regional private bus route operators towards the installation of seat belts in new buses or to retro-fit them to existing fleets.

“This practical initiative puts the safety of our children first, and will bring peace of mind to local parents.

“While I appreciate the high cost involved with fitting seatbelts on older buses, this federally funded subsidy will go some way towards easing associated costs and I encourage all regional private bus route operators to consider making an application for financial assistance to the Government.”

Mr Gardiner said that while the issue of fitting seat belts to school buses was a state responsibility, the Australian Government has stepped in to ensure this important safety initiative was delivered as soon as possible.

“Every day, children in country areas travel long distances on the bus to get to and from school, often sharing the road with trucks and travelling on challenging road conditions,” he said.

“Seat belts will help make the ride on the school bus a bit safer for these regional students who are most in danger.

“As we all know, seat belts save lives.”

The initiative will fit at least 1,500 rural and regional school buses across Australia over the next four years, costing some $40 million.

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Philip Gardiner, The Nationals’ candidate for O’Connor, has welcomed a call for the  21 APEC member nations governments to present a clear climate change framework to provide business with the certainty to invest in the future.

“A clear framework will encourage businesses to innovate and invest in new technology which will ultimately lead to more jobs and a cleaner environment,” Mr Gardiner said.

“Yesterday’s remarks by Mark Johnson, Chairman of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and a former Macquarie Bank colleague, closely reflect the stance I have held on climate change for some time.

“Every household and business needs to calculate their net carbon emissions based on the science of the day and implement strategies to reduce net carbon emissions.”

Mr Gardiner said that businesses required certainty to make significant economic investment decisions and it was the responsibility of the Government to provide this framework.

“Our Government needs to announce a policy framework for the calculation of carbon credits based on businesses emissions footprint, and a firm emission reduction target,” Mr Gardiner said.

“Such a policy would then enable all businesses – large and small – to strategically meet these targets and plan for the future.

“I believe there will be many opportunities for businesses, including agriculture, to capitalise on any new legislative requirements.”

“When we consider the effects of dealing with carbon emissions on the economic growth of Australia, we must not underestimate the innovative power of Australians, as well as that of all countries of the world.

Mr Gardiner said that innovation had been a force that had extracted mankind from previous shocks to our economic system and was confident that it would be no different going forward in a new ‘climate conscious’ economy.

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