This publication is designed to give you a brief introduction to and understanding of the National Party of Australia and its place in the Australian political system.
Australia is a democracy. It enjoys free and fair elections at all Federal, State and Local levels every three of four years. Governments may change at elections, and the people accept the verdict of the majority.
The National Party, commonly known as The Nationals, has been an important and influential part of Australian politics, Federal and State, since the early 1900s. It will celebrate its centenary on 22 January 2020.
The party’s primary political concentration has been on improving the services provided to and the lifestyles of the almost eight million people who live and work beyond the nation’s capital cities, as well as on increasing international trade opportunities for the country’s wealth producing agricultural and mining industries.
The party’s basic philosophy is conservative, in that it supports maximum development of private enterprise and minimum intervention by Government. It believes Australians should be able to manage their own affairs in a prospering private sector-led economy, enhanced by appropriate Government policies, especially for those in genuine need.
The Nationals believe the prime responsibility of the Commonwealth Government should be to ensure freedom of choice and opportunity for all citizens; to provide an economic framework that rewards individual effort; to preserve the family as the foundation of society; to guarantee freedom of speech, communication and assembly for all people; to promote loyalty to and pride in Australia, its Constitution, National Flag and National Anthem; to maximise international trade; to ensure modern and adequate defence structures that can interact with international partners; and to preserve democratic elections for Governments at Federal, State and Local levels.
Download the full ‘The National Party of Australia – A History’ publication here [PDF] >
