Beer, petrol and student loans: Nats sharpen poll pitch

Cheaper petrol, lower beer prices and discounts on student debt have all been floated as potential Nationals policy as the party sharpens its pitch ahead of a federal election. 

Cutting and freezing increases linked to inflation on the fuel excise and slashing taxes on microbreweries and distillers passed the party's federal council meeting on Saturday, although the motions are not binding.

Alcoholic excises should be reviewed across the board, MP Pat Conaghan said.

Student loan discounts and incentives for people to study in the regions were also supported.

The proposal included a 30 per cent discount on university and vocational education fees for students older than 25 and those who live in regional and remote Australia.

A broader 20 per cent discount for other students as well as 20 per cent off lump sum payments was also backed, as was a regional university campus "rejuvenation fund" to incentivise students to study outside major cities.

David Littleproud
David Littleproud and the Nationals have sharpened their pitch ahead of a federal election.

Leader David Littleproud used his opening address to party faithful to laud the opposition leading the public debate in areas such as the voice referendum, nuclear energy and vaping reform. 

"Never before have you seen a party dictate the policy direction of the public debates in this country over the last two and a half years than what you have seen from the National Party federal team," he said.

The meeting focused heavily on cost-of-living measures and agriculture policy, including mortgage relief, encouraging airline competition to bring down flight prices, boosting rural health support and introducing nuclear energy into the mix.

The party resolved to overturn a legislated ban on live sheep exports, scrap water buybacks and bring back an agricultural visa.

Deputy Nationals Leader Perin Davey and frontbencher Barnaby Joyce were successful in a push calling for Commonwealth compensation for farmers whose agricultural land was negatively impacted by federal policy.

Perin Davey
Perin Davey pushed for compensation for farmers whose land was impacted by federal policy.

Others measures to ease cost of living that received support at the federal council meeting included tax breaks and incentives for new Australian airlines to start up to increase competition and allowing pensioners be taxed less to pick up work.

A push to ban union and public super funds donating to political parties was defeated on the floor, as was a call from the party's youth branch to cap negative gearing at three properties.

The majority of the Nationals parliamentary team supported stripping the term "gender identity" from the Sex Discrimination Act, with speakers rallying against the impacts of transgender people playing women's sport.

Members called upon the Nationals in government to exempt foreign backpackers from superannuation, which they can then claim when leaving the country, in a bid to ease costs for employers.

MP Keith Pitt supported money going into backpackers' pockets during their time in regional communities to boost the local economy rather than claim on their way out.

But entitlements should not be stripped entirely, allowing visa holders to be paid less than Australian workers, he argued.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store