Released 7th September 1998
PREAMBLE
One Nation recognises the history, the tradition & the enormous contribution that rural and regional Australians make to the economic and social well being of this country.
The Australian farmer, small businesses and the communities of rural and regional Australia are under threat as never before. Their voices have not been heard - successive Labor and Coalition governments have ignored their concerns - it is only since the Queensland State election that they have finally decided that perhaps they will have to listen.
Primary Industries have been the backbone of this nation's economy in the past and will lead the way to our future, to new job opportunities through "value adding", to the re-establishment of Australian Industry and manufacturing and to the revitalisation of rural and regional Australia.
Primary Industry has the capacity to change the balance of trade figures, to create "regional economies".
We need to believe in our own abilities so that we can use new technology to help us develop an economic culture of enterprise, creativity and innovation.
With the abundance of raw materials and resources this country abounds in, and with a positive attitude and government policy focused towards this direction, then Australia can once again become the lucky country and the clever country.
POLICY
One Nation is committed to developing a comprehensive national rural policy and supporting the provision of adequate infrastructure to enable rural Australia to achieve its full productive potential.
One Nation is committed to-
Opposing economic rationalism and globalisation.
One Nation opposes the privatisation of public utilities. (communications, electricity, water and other essential government services).
Ensuring that adequate funding and staffing is available to the Federal Department of Primary Industries to -
Enable a practical focus on the provision of research and development, and extension services, which deliver real benefits and efficiencies to the industry.
Locate field staff with local knowledge to be located in regional areas where they will deliver maximum benefit.
Appropriate field/ administration staff ratio and a constant review process to maximise extension output; and
A high degree of flexibility, and the ability to seek, and be receptive to, input from local primary producers.
Communication and electricity charging policies and services standards retaining parity with urban Australia.
The improvement of standards and accessibility of health services in regional Australia.
The improvement of standards and accessibility of education services in regional Australia.
Retention of the Diesel Fuel Rebate. And the removal of $0.25/litre excise duty to match the government's proposal.
One Nation will continue to support the rural disaster fund and will review the level of support provided to rural people and communities. In particular One Nation will provide low interest loans at reasonable rates following natural disasters.
Introduction of a farm apprenticeship scheme to encourage rural youth to remain on the land
The apprenticeship scheme will provide employment; vocational training and a recognised qualification.
This scheme will be similar to that contained in the Employment Initiatives
Policy where direct wage subsidies are provid4d to the employer as follows;
80% for the first year, 60% for the second year and 40% in the third year.
This example is based on a 4 year apprenticeship with the employer being responsible for 100% of the wage in the fourth year
WATER
One Nation is committed to the provision of adequate water resources.
One Nation opposes the privatisation of water.
One Nation supports the right of the farmer to use (without government control of charges) water collected in on-farm storage.
One Nation supports the establishment of a Ministry of Water, the establishment of a Federal Ministry of Interior Infrastructure and Regional Australia and the abolition of the cap by the Murray Darling Ministerial Council and replacing it with a flexible management system in tune with the varying conditions of the local river system and the environment.
One Nation agrees with the need for research in regional centres, with financial support from all levels of government.
PRODUCERS AND PRODUCER ORGANISATIONS
One Nation will encourage, via its elected representatives, feedback from all primary producers, cooperatives and producer marketing bodies.
MARKETING AND TRADE
One Nation will-
Eliminate the National Competition Policy.
Provide strong support for marketing initiatives for both export and domestic product.
Oppose any multilateral trade agreements and treaties which are not in the interests of Australians and Australia and which diminish Australian sovereignty.
Identify and counter artificial trade barriers.
Support and foster bilateral trading agreements, provided they are not detrimental to other Australian interests.
Adopt a stronger negotiating role to achieve outcomes more beneficial to Australian exporters. One Nation believes that current multilateral agreements have not necessarily served in our interests. We believe we have become a "soft touch" and must adopt a stronger position in all trade negotiations.
LABELLING
One Nation will introduce a simple labelling system of three categories to allow consumers to purchase Australian made products with confidence. The categories of labelling are as follows -
100% Australian owned and made
100% foreign owned and made.
A combination of the above.
TARIFFS AND QUOTAS
One Nation recognises that many of our trading partners implement barriers with a variety of names, which in effect are tariffs.
One Nation will protect our primary and manufacturing industries, and impose tariffs where necessary and with consultation and the approval of industry -
At least equivalent to those of our trading partners in respect of reciprocal trade, provided this is not detrimental to other Australian industry.
At sufficient levels to protect unfair competition for subsidised, sub-standard or predatory priced imports.
At sufficient levels to preclude competing imports from countries which provide no reciprocal export opportunities.
To further prevent "dumping" on Australian markets.
QUARANTINE
One Nation will ensure that adequate funding is available for AQIS to;
Refocus on it's primary role as an agency to protect Australia from the import of pestilence, disease and contamination (funded Federally).
Protect and capitalise upon the relatively disease free status provided by our insular location.
Ensure that export inspection services meet the appropriate standards of the recipient country.
Increase the surveillance activities of AQIS and Customs on the movement of all goods and people into this country.
FOREIGN OWNERSHIP
One Nation will:
Absolutely oppose the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) and any treaty or agreement which diminishes Australia's sovereignty.
Support joint venture arrangements where the majority ownership and profit remains Australian.
Investigate measures and methods to restrict foreign ownership of land and stop "selling off the farm".
Legislate against monopolies and cartels to further prevent market domination and manipulation (vertical integration - industry control)
(refer to Small Business policy )
FINANCE
One Nation will:
Establish a government sponsored Australian national bank whose primary purpose will be Debt Reconstruction and low interest funding to primary and secondary industries under fair and equitable conditions.
Simplify the Farmers' Retirement and family handover schemes.
LAND TENURE
One Nation believes it is essential to provide security of tenure and security of access to resources to enable appropriate resource management and sound business planning.
ENVIRONMENT
One Nation supports sustainable land and water use practices and achievable measures to repair past environmental damage. Research and extension functions will be deployed to ensure that maximum long-term sustainable productive levels are achieved.
Incentives
One Nation will-
Support funding for land care projects and incentives for farmer funded environmental protection strategies.
Provide initiatives where it can be demonstrated that projects to be undertaken are practical and will produce outcomes beneficial to environmental sustainability.
THE BEEF INDUSTRY
One Nation is committed to support and assist the Nation's beef/cattle producers. The beef industry is a major rural commodity. The domestic consumption levels of beef have suffered a major decline in terms of consumption as a percentage of production. This has increased the exposure of market price levels to the vagaries of the export market with disastrous results. Inefficient promotion and a lack of counter-strategies to the anti-red meat food fads, as well as competition from cheap import beef, pork and chicken products have caused much of the decline in domestic consumption.
One Nation acknowledges recent research, which indicates that domestic sales of beef form a major part of the total sales.
One Nation recognises that the Beef Industry is now over 85% controlled and owned by foreign companies; that vertical integration (ownership or control through the processing chain from production to domestic sales and the export market) without control or statutory regulations to limit same will ensure the eventual demise of the traditional small business farming operation - the very substance and backbone of this country.
One Nation recognises the detrimental effect of the Hilmer competition policies on farming enterprises (ie small business) and associated industry and business and will abolish the national competition policy.
One Nation will: -
Provide incentives for small viable slaughtering operations and retail butchers to encourage increased competition, and to provide the consumer with increased options and service;
Preserve the right of cattle producers to lease crown land and state forests for grazing;
Review the workers' compensation and common law liabilities in the producer and processor sectors, with a view to achieving reduced cost; and
Ensure that road and rail infrastructure is of a standard sufficient to provide efficient and cost-effective transport pre and post slaughter.
One Nation will also-
Protect the industry by the introduction of tariffs if needed and realistic labelling laws
Seek funding via the Meat Livestock Authority (MLA) for domestic market promotion.
Support the introduction of a two-tiered export accreditation system to enable abattoirs to be more competitive in exporting to markets.
Reduce the role of AQIS in the export sector thereby achieving a reduction in charges and allowing AQIS to refocus on its primary role of monitoring imports.
One Nation-
Will ensure that the statutory producer paid levies to industry and associated bodies for promotion and R & D do not become part of accumulated reserves and that the results of R & D remain in Australian ownership or at the very least majority Australian ownership.
Will support and introduce legislation that will protect Beef Producers against subsidised imported product.
DAIRYING
One Nation is committed to preserving the viability of the National dairying industry. Dairying is a major contributor to Australia's rural economy, being a large direct employer and also having a high multiplier factor. Many Australian communities are almost totally dependent on the dairy industry.
One Nation supports-
The existing structure of the National Dairy Association.
Opposes the national competition policy.
Supports a return to the regulated farm gate price of milk.
One Nation absolutely opposes any national competition policy driven attempt to disband the supply management system, and supports the distribution of growth access equitably across all dairy farmers.
One Nation supports a return to the regulated farm gate price of milk.
One Nation supports the existing structure of the National dairy association.
One Nation will-
prioritise funding and upgrading of infrastructure to ensure efficient road and rail transport of milk and value added products to markets
Ensure adequate electricity supply to farms and factories, and ensure sufficient water storage capacity where a need can be identified.
FORESTRY
One Nation recognises the enormous value to the National economy of the forest industries (planted and native), hardwood, pine, and cypress, and the value adding sectors of milling, paper and particleboard.
The industry is characterised by high employment opportunities, and considerable value adding and multiplier factors
Forestry supply
Due to high capital costs and high fixed operating costs, downsizing of mills and other processing plants has a devastating impact on viability. For that reason One Nation supports continued sustainable access under the Regional Forest Agreement processor code of practice. One Nation supports financial incentives and rights to harvest guarantees to encourage forestry on private land.
Forestry research
One Nation will-
Ensure that the focus of the National Forest Service is on research and management practices to ensure maximum production and sustainability of State forests.
Ensure the Commonwealth be held accountable and withdraw its funding from the FISAP grant and adopt its own administration after a senate inquiry.
Encourage research into waste minimisation, by-product utilisation, and value adding.
Remove restriction on chipping of residue from log harvesting.
Forest ancillary uses
One Nation will encourage ancillary and complementary usage of state forests. Cattle grazing, Bee keeping etc, can be mutually beneficial to timber production.
One Nation will encourage recreational uses for state forests, but not to the point of excluding timber production and harvesting.
Environment - forestry
One Nation will ensure that timber production and harvesting in state forests is, at all times conducted on a sustainable basis, and that management practices are in place to minimise environmental damage.
GRAIN
One Nation recognises the importance of the grain industry, its vast downstream value adding industries, and its multiple support sectors as a major contributor to the national economy, and in particular, the employment opportunities provided by this, and associated industries.
Grain Marketing
One Nation will continue to support the existing industry structure, and the single desk selling arrangement.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
One Nation will support joint Australian owned and operated Industry/Government funding for research and development programs and DPI extension services. Ownership of outcomes are to remain in majority Australian ownership.
QUARANTINE
One Nation will pressure the Federal Government to refocus AQIS, with a view to ensure that any product is subject to stringent inspection and treatment procedures to prevent the import of pests, diseases, and noxious weeks.
One Nation will support Government funding of eradication and/or control programs to curb the spread of problem week and animal pests, and diseases, which are an industry or regional threat.
PORK INDUSTRY
One Nation recognises the importance of the pig industry to the National economy and to the viability of many rural communities. One Nation will enforce GATT agreement when an industry is under threat to immediately introduce tariff and/or quote protection against cheap imports.
One Nation supports the current industry structure, and will consult with peak industry bodies Pork Council of Australia and national pork producing organisations, with a view to establishing an immediate short term rescue package, pending a more permanent solution to the industry's problems.
One Nation recognises that the Pork Industry has a special and unique problem with labelling in that much pork is sold unpackaged and therefore the consumer cannot choose between Australian and imported meat. One Nation will investigate a solution to this problem.
SHEEP AND WOOL
One Nation recognises the contribution of the sheep industry to the economy of Australia. Further, the historical significance of the industry in the development of our nation is also recognised. One Nation acknowledges the fact that in vast areas of Australia, sheep and wool production is the 'highest and best use' and in fact, the only real option for some properties. Accordingly, we are committed to strategies to ensure the ongoing viability of the industry.
Structure and Funding
One Nation will support joint industry and government funding for research and promotion, with the control of the industry to be in the hands of producers. All R & D taxes and levies shall be monitored and reduced as soon as practicable, with minimum funds being transferred into accumulated reserves.
Research and Development
The outcome of any producer funded research and development will remain in majority Australian ownership.
One Nation will encourage via incentives the identification of alternative uses for wool, to identify "niche markets", both domestically and internationally (such as non-woven woollen products ie. insulation and sound proofing product) to provide stability for the wool industry.
Marketing
One Nation supports the single desk-selling concept, and will consult with peak industry bodies to establish optimum strategies to reduce the wool stockpile.
One Nation supports the freeze on the wool stock pile
Live Exports
One Nation supports initiatives to promote live sheep exports, but will seek the support of the federal government to ensure that no purebred Merino or genetic material is exported for breeding purposes.
HORTICULTURE AND SMALL CROPS
One Nation recognises the contribution to the National economy and to many regional economies provided by the small crops industry, and also the vital role of providing quality fresh and processed product to the community.
One Nation will seek agreement on uniform national registration of agricultural chemicals to allow farmers easy access to new and improved products. We will overhaul the quality assurance requirements, many of which are unnecessarily onerous and destroying price competitiveness in the industry.
One Nation Will provide incentives to identify "niche" markets both domestically and internationally.
SUGAR
One nation recognises the major contribution made by the sugar industry to the National economy, and to the viability of so many Australian communities. We will demand that the federal government ensure the industry is not impacted upon by the economic rationalist policies, which have led to National Competition Policy and the mythical level playing field.
POULTRY INDUSTRY
One Nation recognises the important contribution made to the Australian economy by the Poultry industries and also the important role of providing high quality, affordable poultry to the consumer.
One Nation will-
support the existing Industry structure.
will abolish the Hilmer competition policy
Will not support minority interests that impact unfairly on good sustainable industry practices.
Will ensure adequate funding and staffing for AQIS to provide essential quarantine, pest and disease controls.
Will support a 'real' level playing field in order for the Poultry Industry to compete on equal terms.
Will support the involvement of "grass roots" producers in decision-making processes.
Note - Mining will be treated as a separate policy area.