YOU can put it down to the Trump affect, or the empowering impact of social media, or even just a cyclical shift in the political landscape.
But no matter what you attribute it to, the fact remains that people across the world are demanding now more than ever that their elected officials represent their views.
This is true in Sydney, and it’s true in the bush. Voters made that clear in the historic swing in the Orange state by-election, which handed the seat to the Shooters party – the first time the Nats had lost the seat in 70 years.
If that isn’t enough to convince the Nats to change their ways, then they deserve what they get at the next NSW election, to be held by 2019.
People in the bush want their politicians to be their voice, especially when their opinions aren’t reflected in the corridors of power.
Nats voters who have expected their party to stand up on a range of issues have been let down time and again over the past two terms of Coalition government.
Too many times the Nats toed the Coalition line on issues – most recently with the Greyhound racing ban, forced council mergers, coal and gas development, or regional infrastructure funding.
Liberal leader Gladys Berejiklian acknowledged in her first appearance as Premier on Monday that she would address the perception that government had stopped listening. The proof will be in the pudding.
NSW Nats leader John Barilaro beat Ms Berejiklian to the punch with a bold proclamation on Friday last week and “vowed to bring an end to local government mergers in the bush… Nationals and regional NSW won’t be taken for granted in any future negotiations,” Mr Barilaro said.
He has since clarified he will only push for two mergers to be overturned – Bathurst/Oberon and Blayney/Cabonne/Orange.
These are the only local government areas that took the forced merger to court. Mr Barilaro won’t push for action on the other 15 or so mergers, impacting about 30 councils.
This begs the question – why oppose only the two mergers that went to court? There was significant opposition in many communities across the state.
For Mr Barilaro to change the prospects of his party, he must recognise rhetoric alone won’t cut it. The Nats must put their constituents first, even if that means disappointing their Coalition partners.
