Member-elect for Parkes, Jamie Chaffey said today is a huge day in National Party History, and the decision to spilt with the Liberals and to not enter into a Coalition Agreement is momentous.

“As a new member of The Nationals’ Party Room, I couldn’t support a position to walk away from policies that we took to the election, just weeks ago, that were supported by the Parkes electorate as shown by my resounding result, simply to stay in a Coalition with the Liberal Party, who don’t know what policies they do, or will, support,” Mr Chaffey said.

“That would be unfair to our National Party members, supporters, and those who voted for The Nationals.

“I strongly believe The Nationals are the only Party that truly represents regional Australia, and we proved today that we won’t back down, and we won’t apologise for standing up for what we believe in.

“It is unfortunately we are in this position after such a long history with The Liberal Party, but I firmly believe The Nationals have made the right decision, and we must stand by these policies to truly represent the people of the Parkes electorate and regional Australia,” Mr Chaffey said.

“I do hope this isn’t a long-term arrangement as the country needs a united Opposition to hold the Labor Government accountable, but not at the cost of the people that we represent.”

Earlier:

NATIONALS Leader David Littleproud has announced his party will not enter a federal coalition agreement with the Liberal Party.

A National Party statement says, after careful consideration, the Nationals have agreed now is not the right time to enter a federal Coalition Agreement with the Liberal Party.

“During the last term of Parliament, The Nationals fought hard for a package of sensible and important policies that will benefit regional Australia and the future of our nation,” Mr Littleproud said in a statement today.

“These were adopted as Coalition policies and were strongly supported by local communities.

“Following discussions with the Leader of the Liberal Party, we do not have the assurance we need that these policies will be honoured in a future Coalition Agreement,” he said.

Mr Littleproud said the Nationals cannot in good conscience walk away for commitments to regional Australia.

“We will not walk away from the $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund, which would provide up to $1 billion extra funding every year for regional projects, from improving access to better health, child and aged care, through to fixing local roads and building new sporting facilities,” he said.

“We will not walk away from ‘big stick’ divestiture competition laws that keep the big supermarkets honest and deliver fairer prices for farmers at the farmgate and families at the checkout.

“We will not walk away from an improved Universal Service Obligation for communications, forcing a better minimum standard for regional mobile and internet access.

“We will not walk away from the potential of nuclear power as a necessary element of a balanced energy mix that secures Australia’s energy security,” he said.

Mor Littleproud said the Nationals’ Party Room did not take the decision lightly.

“It is made without malice. When the Liberal Party is ready, our door will be open,” he said.

“We will always stand up for regional Australians and the policies that will take our nation forward.”