Working with government

The wide-ranging agenda of the NSW Farmers Association 2024 Annual Conference was testimony to the benefit of polite, vigorous debate. It covered broad and narrow topics affecting Australia’s food production and regional residents. The conference ran under the skilled chairmanship of President Xavier Martin with addresses by the NSW Premier and Energy minister. There were hundreds of delegates of farmer branches spread widely throughout NSW. They gave serious consideration to the topics of most interest to their local members. Their decisions affect communities small and large. Most are involved in our productive and profitable  food and fibre sector catering to local consumption and export. A major concern they have is how to keep that food and fibre as inexpensive as possible for Australian consumers.

People and the environment

Of prime importance was their commitment to environmental protection and climate change action in conjunction with government agencies. Of some concern was the environmental damage caused by an increase in numbers of wild pigs. Regional communities pressed for more facilities like health care and education equivalent to that provided in capital cities. However they know that  their rural cities and towns have many advantages over Sydney. The frightening gun and knife killings that now plague over-crowded Sydney give cause for amazement in rural communities where even traffic jams are absent. Beautiful homes are $1m cheaper than in Sydney. That means that the person who must earn $100,000 a year in Sydney need only earn $40,000 or less in most inland cities. The massive high-rise towers where families live like battery hens vulnerable to building failure and denied fresh air, are unknown inland. Beautiful homes on big blocks of land give children safe places to play under watchful eyes of parents. They enjoy is road rail and air access plus internet connection to Sydney and the world. Rural and regional life inland has a lot going for it, particularly for young Aussie families. The farmers were seeking far better educational opportunities  in public schools. They want the agriculture courses so well provide in Sydney by independent schools. Delegates want young farmers to learn the latest techniques and strategies for sustainable farming. They want it in public schools.

Australia is much more than capital cities

The farmers brought with them the truly Australian experience of life in the real world of wide-open spaces, abundant wildlife, animals and birds rarely seen in our somewhat artificial capital cities. These farmer delegates are down-to-earth representatives of the families who have seen the benefits of low population numbers. They have raised their families to enjoy all that Australia offers. Young Sydney-siders who have moved inland rarely wish to return to Sydney. The conference also gives city people a chance to see that the people from “the Bush” are just as happy, friendly and hard-working as they are themselves. It reminds us that when we holiday we have a vast array of interesting sites and treasures to see. Many can be visited from farm-stay accommodation and camp sites in magnificent national parks.

Pathway to Parliament

The NSW Farmers Association is the highly effective pathway to parliament for the farming community. Parliament is the body that guides government decisions and services. The association has served its members long and well with members attuned to the benefits of their inexpensive membership fees. Those fees give them  an effective way to guide government that could otherwise be very city-focussed.