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Letter from the President
I am very proud and honoured to have been elected President of The Nationals SA at our recent AGM. As a fourth-generation South Australian - and the SA Nationals’ first woman president - I appreciate the opportunity to help address some of the massive challenges faced by current and future generations. The River Murray, SA’s water security, our regional growth and social cohesion are only a few of the issues being tackled in SA by our Leader, Hon. Karlene Maywald, as a Minister in the current government.
The Nationals in South Australia (as in the other States) stand up for the interests of those living in regional Australia, in one of the most centralised and urbanised countries in the world. The impact of policies on the regions and their towns and industries, is disproportionately greater out there beyond the major cities. The Nationals provide a clear and resolute voice for those voters, and it was we who first brought forward the concept of ‘Royalties For Regions’ to better share across the State the fruits of our mining and other industries .
As your president, I bring my personal sense of commitment plus a long experience of working in government at State level and in Canberra to the task. Our political system is not a two-horse race, like that of the US. Australian democracy exists to offer the voters breadth of choice. We got rid of the ‘two-airline policy’ long ago, and political debate should not find itself being restricted to just the two major parties. South Australia deserves plenty of vigorous, multi-party competition.
As the incoming president, I have some pretty big shoes to fill. I am indebted to Wilbur Klein for the fantastic job he has done during his tenure, adding his enormous energy, warm communication skills and musical strengths to The Nationals’ line up of talent. And before Wilbur, John Venus had a long and distinguished record of leadership. We congratulate John on his forthcoming ordination as an Anglican priest and a leader in the spiritual field.
With the State election coming up in March 2010, all the SA Nationals’ energies must now go to supporting our Leader, Karlene, in retaining her seat of Chaffey, and to standing behind those others who emerge to spread the message of our party. I look forward to meeting and working with them all, as they enable The Nationals and other colleagues to realise the immense promise of this great State.
Jacky Abbott
President, The Nationals SA
4 October 2009 |
