Introduction

My Fellow Australian,

Thank you for visiting this site. No doubt you have an issue that you wish the Nationals to assist with or maybe you’re just interested as to what we are doing. In order to assist you we’ve included on this website all of my Senate speeches, public speeches, committee work and media releases. We’ve also created a feedback area to enable you to provide us with your opinion and thoughts.

My Office receives an overwhelming volume of correspondence and I apologise now if we’ve not been as prompt as we should in replying.

Some correspondence my Office receives I may not be able to assist with; whether that be an interstate matter or a state government issue. However, I can assure you we will always endeavour to help where we can and if we cannot assist we will forward your issue to the relevant body.

Representing Queensland is a privilege and I do not know how long you will give the Nationals that privilege in the Senate. Here are some of the things I will fight for whilst I have the opportunity.

1. My job is to give you the greatest possible freedom in your life without affecting the lives of others in an unwarranted way.

• You have the right to go into business without being unfairly discriminated against by price, market power or contractual rights.
• You have the right to go through life, from beginning to end, without others intruding in on your immutable right to be alive and enjoy life. This goes hand in hand with being a responsible citizen.

2. The government has a role to develop all corners and aspects of our Nation and to pick up those areas that may have been left behind.

• There must be policies that specifically target a certain area or a certain industry. These policies should assist in the long term development of the Nation and ensure a fair opportunity for all within it.
• The Government must govern for today and set the platform for our security tomorrow; security for the nation, security of rights and security of opportunity.

3. We are all born with equality and each of us has a role in looking after our community.

• Our actions may compromise that equality. Holding no concern for the repercussions of our actions on others indicates that we believe our rights are greater than theirs.
• Parliament is only one of the many aspects of the process that looks after Australia. We all have a duty to participate in the life and operation of our Nation, how we lead our daily lives determines our contribution to this process.

Briefly, about myself, I’m married with four children. I’m a small town country accountant, a fellow of CPA Australia. I live in a comfortable house on a quiet street and I enjoy bushwalking and sport.

I grew up on the land, as did The Nationals, but now operate in small business, as does The Nationals.

I built up my own accountancy business from scratch. As such, I do know what it’s like to have pockets full of ideas and inspiration and not much money as you go through the sleepless nights of starting up a business.

Finally, I receive a lot of attention because I believe my role, as the Constitution asks, is to represent my state, Queensland. I would be more effective in this role if the Senate voted along state rather than political party lines. It would be interesting to investigate ways to return to the intention of this component of our Constitution. However, progress will not be achieved without support so please canvas my Senatorial colleagues about it.

Senator Barnaby Joyce

The Nationals Senator for Queensland.