Centenary Gala Dinner Program
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MENU ENTREE MAIN (ALTERNATE DROP) DESSERT A Country Party on a Plate Chiltern Chicken Fadden Feuille Ploughmans plate – Chef’s selection Roasted chicken breast, pumpkin, Hazelnut mille feuille, pear, cheeses, charcuterie, radish, fig and feta risotto, muscat, radish cress Armagnac cream aniseed loaf Page Porterhouse Angus porterhouse, parsnip emulsion, shiitake mushrooms, heirloom carrots WINE & BEER Bay of Stones Sparkling Bay of Stones Sauvignon Blanc Bay of Stones Shiraz Cricketers Arms Draught Stella Artois Légère THE NATIONAL PARTY IS… • The second oldest political party in the Commonwealth Parliament, having celebrated its Centenary on 22 January 2020. • The most democratic, non-factionalised and stable political party in Australia, proud of its independent identity and offering equal opportunity to all. • An organisation that — through its affiliated and associated State and Territory parties, has the largest financial membership across regional Australia of any political party — since its formation, has always been represented in the Commonwealth Parliament, has been an influential partner in Coalition governments for more than 60 years, and has provided three Prime Ministers – Earle Page, Arthur Fadden and John McEwen — by 2019 had contested 1192 electorates for House of Representatives general elections across regional Australia, winning 617 – a success rate of nearly 52 per cent — has accumulated an enviable record of achievements on the statute books — has ensured from the first Federal Coalition agreement that its Parliamentary Leader is the Deputy Prime Minister (formally titled as such from 1968) and acts as Prime Minister when that person is absent — while formed to drive better political outcomes for agricultural industries, has long been more than a farmers’ party, fighting for better services, facilities, and opportunities for people living and working beyond the capital cities. • Arguably, the Party’s greatest achievement is its very existence, which has forced other parties to pay greater attention to the needs of regional Australia than would otherwise have been the case. Without the National Party, Federal policy would be dominated by city interests and city- based politicians. • A Country Party brochure, Mileposts, charting achievements to 1950, observed: You can’t afford to be without a Country Party… Thank your stars there is a Country Party Change Country Party to National Party and the statement remains true today. ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS Opening by MC Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie Welcome by the Federal Leader the Hon Michael McCormack MP 22 January 2020 Tree Dedication National Arboretum Canberra Address from the Federal President the Hon Larry Anthony The Hon Peter Nixon AO – Anthony Era former Member for Gippsland, Minister for Interior, Shipping and Transport, Postmaster-General, and Primary Industry. Ms Judy Brewer AO and Mrs Kay Hull AM Introduction of Centenary message from the late the Hon Tim Fischer AC Leader of The Nationals 1990 – 1999 Federal Leaders Panel Centenary Quiz hosted by The Hon John Sharp AM Table participation The Rt. Hon. Ian Sinclair AC The Nationals Leader 1984 – 1989 Formalities conclude The Hon. John Anderson AO Music by `elan quartet The Nationals Leader 1999 – 2005 The Hon. Mark Vaile AO The Nationals Leader 2005 – 2007 The Hon. Warren Truss AC The Nationals Leader 2007 – 2016 The Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP The Nationals Leader 2016 – 2018 The Hon. Michael McCormack MP The Nationals Leader 2018 – Present FEDERAL PRESIDENT'S WELCOME As Federal President and on behalf of the Federal Management Committee, I want to thank you for joining us to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of The Nationals. What an achievement! The Nationals are the second oldest political party in the Commonwealth, the most democratic, fiercely independent and proud of offering equal opportunity to those who live in regional and rural Australia. The Nationals, the old Country Party, was originally formed as a political party representing the interests of the primary industry sector, agriculture and resources. Over our 100-year history, we’ve advocated for broader interests in both the manufacturing and tertiary sectors, including fighting for better services, facilities and opportunities right across regional Australia. With more than 9 million Australians living outside our capital cities, the importance of The Nationals in representing the nation’s wealth creating industries has never been more important. Regional Australia produces about a third of our GDP and around 75 per cent of our exports, providing jobs and investment in thousands of communities. All of The Nationals representatives are true The values of The Nationals are as relevant and advocates for their local communities, working to important today as they were 100 years ago. create local jobs, improve health and education Despite left-wing predictions of our demise, the services and building better infrastructure. The Party remains strong and electorally successful, Parliamentary National Party is made up of down- holding all our seats in the last two Federal Elections. to-earth people who, before entering Parliament, We remain and are a formidable force in all the had a diverse range of occupations from journalists Parliaments across the Commonwealth. to small business owners to working in the The Nationals Centenary is an opportunity to salute police force. those Party members and supporters who have That means that our representatives understand provided a powerful voice to those Australians who and know the challenges that individuals and families live in the regions. It’s a time to reflect and celebrate face in regional Australia because they come from our achievements of this unique political Party and those communities. It is because of this that The be optimistic about our future. Nationals have a common purpose, goal and are loyal: to improve the lives of those Australians outside our capital cities. The Hon. Larry Anthony Federal President On behalf of The Nationals, I want to sincerely thank our Centenary Chair Kay Hull AM and the dedicated Committee for their tireless work in organising this event; our former and current Parliamentary leaders and representatives and finally, all of our branch members, volunteers and supporters who continue to share The Nationals vision and values. CENTENARY CHAIR'S WELCOME On behalf of The Nationals Federal Centenary Committee, I warmly welcome you to tonight’s Gala Dinner. The Nationals one hundredth year officially commenced on the 22 January 2020. To mark this significant day in the Party’s history, a Tree Dedication Ceremony was held at the National Arboretum in Canberra commemorating the party’s three Prime Ministers. The plaque reads; Quercus engelmannii Mesa Oak Dedicated to The Country Party Prime Ministers and Commemorating the Centenary of the National Party of Australia 1920 – 2020 The Rt Hon Sir Earle Page GCMC, CH The Rt Hon Sir Arthur Fadden GCMG The Rt Hon Sir John McEwen GCMC, CHC In the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and National Party Leader Hon Michael McCormack MP 22 January 2020 I invite you to visit this site during The Nationals Thank you to the Centenary Committee, the Hon Federal Conference in November this year, Larry Anthony, the Hon John Sharp AM, representing when further celebrations are planned for this South Australia Mr Peter Blacker, New South Wales milestone year. One celebration being the unveiling Mr Paul Davey AM, Western Australia Mrs Heather of a bronzed statue of Sir John McEwen in the Giles, Queensland Mr Mike Evans OAM, Victoria Parliamentary Triangle, a tribute to both the man Dr Jacky Abbott and the Northern Territory Mrs and the Party’s achievements. Shirley McKerrow OAM, for your dedication and commitment to our Centenary. They share over Earlier today we revisited our Party’s beginning, in a one hundred years combined service to our historical re-enactment at the Parliament of Victoria. Party together. I hope this has further instilled the pride and passion on the achievements of committed branches, local Thank you for joining with us to celebrate this Members and Senators in delivering a prosperous, significant milestone in our Party’s history. equitable and valued rural, regional and remote We warmly welcome the future. Australia over 100 years. We are proud the optimism and belief in our Party Mrs Kay Hull AM is as strong and determined today as it was on the Chair, Centenary Committee 22nd January 1920. I would like to extend my gratitude to tonight’s sponsors, Telstra and Whitehaven Coal and to our Leaders for generously participating in a panel discussion sharing their memories and their vision for the future. Sincere thanks to the Hon Peter Nixon AO and Ms Judy Brewer AO for their participation in tonight’s proceedings. LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENTS IN GOVERNMENT The Country/National Party has been responsible for many landmarks in the development of Australia, too numerous to quantify. A sample of Federal achievements in Government includes: The nation’s first radio Council for Scientific and Industrial broadcasting licences (1923) Research – today’s CSIRO (1926) Commonwealth funding for roads through the Main Roads Development Act 1923 and the Tax averaging for primary first Federal Aid Roads Agreement producers (1924) (1926) Restructured the commonwealth The first Commonwealth-State bank as a central bank (1924) Transport Advisory Council (1929) 1920 Development of rural automatic Department of Markets, telephone exchanges