Karlene Maywald The Nationals - South Australia South Australian Flag
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Contact Us - GPO Box 772 Adelaide SA 5001, Phone: 0435 041 556, Fax: 08 8237 9196
 
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About Us

Our Core Values:

  • in the family as the basis of a strong and stable society.
  • in private enterprise, private ownership and minimum government interference in industry, commerce, production and distribution.
  • in freedom of speech, movement and philosophy. We uphold freedom of religious activity, freedom of association and assembly and equality and justice for all before the law.
  • in the development of our economy, the decentralisation of population and services, and the balanced protection of our environment.
  • in the need to lower taxes, reduce the size of government and encourage individual economic freedom.
  • in preserving the three tiers of government - Federal, State and local - and in the decentralisation of responsibility.

We also believe:

  • that the very young, the aged and the disadvantaged are entitled to the support of society and should receive the help they need to live in comfort and dignity.
  • that every Australian has a right to the best possible education.
  • that initiative should be rewarded and that those prepared to work hardest should reap rewards that match their efforts.
  • that all Australians should have an equal opportunity to contribute to and share in the wealth of our nation.
  • that all Australians should help foster a spirit of national pride and Australian identity, joining together to make a better future as one people, with one flag, and as one nation.
  • that individual groups of people have the right to associate to defend and promote their particular interests, ideas and pursuits providing they act responsibly towards the community.
  • that Australia should have a strong defence force to defend our country and police our coastline.
  • that our nation is built on a rich and practical heritage and upholds the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy, with laws decided by our elected representatives.
  • that Australians, as individuals and as a nation, should be prepared to oppose at every opportunity social and political ideas which threaten freedom and democracy in Australia, and in the world.

Proud to be a National!

History

The SA Nationals became one of the newer parliamentary parties in South Australia, first formally appearing when Peter Blacker became the Member for Flinders (1973-93). Rural and regional electorates had previously been served by the Liberal-Country League, formed in 1932, which unlike the conservative parties in other States did not separate into the two distinct strands of Liberal and Country Parties which became familiar in the political landscape.

Karlene Maywald’s decision in 1997 to stand as a National, and her decisive defeat of a sitting Liberal Member with a 29 per cent margin in the State seat of Chaffey, provided a second opportunity to offer non-metropolitan voters a real choice of representatives. Since then, the Party has performed well in the 2002 and 2006 State elections, most recently standing candidates in Finniss and Flinders. It is currently standing four candidates at the 2007 Federal election. For more information, view our Candidates 2007

The SA Nationals are not in coalition with the SA Liberal Party at State or Federal level, but are affiliated to the National Party federally and in the States and Territories. The SA president serves on the Federal Council and Management Committee of The Nationals.

In having their Leader appointed to the SA State Cabinet, the SA Nationals are unusual in the Westminster system. The decision was not taken lightly, and sprang from a period of parliamentary turbulence, and the determination of Karlene Maywald to serve her Riverland constituency as well as possible. Her appointment is based on a legally binding contract between her and the Premier, which specified that she would not caucus with the Government; that she would vote according to her Party’s best interests; and that she would cross the floor to vote with the Opposition when it became necessary – a situation which has since arisen a number of times. Most recently, Karlene has been at the forefront of negotiations with the Commonwealth on the proposed national management of the Murray-Darling Basin.

To view a copy of the Agreement, please click here.
 
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