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Self Interested State Politicians

Monday, 29th May, 2006

Queensland National Party state members of parliament believe their best chance of becoming state government ministers is to be united with the Liberal Party. Abolishing the National Party by merging it with the Liberal Party is the price they are prepared to pay to achieve high office.

National Party members of federal parliament believe their best chance of staying as (or becoming) federal government ministers is to stay separate from, but friendly with, the Liberal Party. Maintaining the separation is the price they are prepared to pay to achieve/retain high office.

The motives of both groups of parliamentarians are identical while the chosen means are completely incompatible.

Do not expect any quick and easy formation of the New Liberal Party written about in The Australian this morning.

Should the unlikely event of the merger in Queensland actually occur, the next step will be the creation of a new rural based party to replace the Nationals. Senator Barnaby Joyce has shown Queensland country people that a minority holding the balance of power in the Senate has far more potential influence than members of a Cabinet.