Recent policy decisions confirm that the National Party is trying to move back to a rural focus in order to shore up its supporter base, Independent Member for Port Macquarie, Peter Besseling, said today.

"The recent policy direction taken by the National Party in relation to population growth for rural communities and a proposed 30% reduction of daylight saving hours confirms the shift towards a more rural focus at the direct expense of coastal communities," Mr Besseling said.
 

"The Regional Kick-Start policy announced recently aims to increase populations in regional communities by an additional 200,000 people over current growth projections, achieved through a $7000 cash incentive for metropolitan residents to relocate into regional areas.

"This may be well and good for rural communities struggling to maintain population levels, but it would be disastrous for coastal communities such as ours, where high growth population shifts are already putting pressure on infrastructure and services such as our health system.

"There is no doubt that a cash incentive of $7000 would increase the flight of 'sea changers' heading to the coast, placing further pressure on local infrastructure and services. This is in direct contrast to a sustainable growth strategy that caters for infrastructure and service delivery through a systematic, considered planning process.

"Attracting new residents is not the most pressing issue for coastal communities, and is a policy directly aimed at rural areas, a fact acknowledged by the Nationals candidate for Port Macquarie who notes that 'the local communities of Queanbeyan and the Monaro would directly benefit from the NSW Liberals and Nationals vision for strong regional communities'.

"Whilst this may be true, the Port Macquarie electorate would benefit more from a direct commitment to infrastructure rather than adding to large population growth that has already been projected to be the fastest growing region in the state.

"I have written to the Leader of the Opposition, Barry O'Farrell, not only seeking a review of this commitment on behalf of coastal communities within regional NSW, but also seeking a commitment from the Liberal Party to reject any significant reduction in daylight saving hours that are of such benefit to the economy and social fabric of coastal areas.