Conference Motions

It is my pleasure to present the motions for Annual General Conference to be held at Broken Hill on 19-20 May.

Certainly, I am happy to report to you that the state of grassroots policy development is very healthy across the NSW Nationals.
The Agenda Committee received more than 180 motions from branches, electorate councils and other party units.

Unfortunately, with only a certain amount of time to consider motions at Conference, not all will be able to be debated and we particularly
prioritised well written motions, with a clear policy objective that were able to be implemented by the Nationals in government.

No doubt you are as excited as I am for Broken Hill and I look forward to seeing you on the floor of Conference to debate these motions.

Grant McMillan
Vice-Chairman
Chairman, Agenda Committee

Disaster and Emergency 6 Payroll incentives to employ new staff

Management
1 Bushfire hazard reduction
That Conference call for enforceable annual (and, where necessary,
seasonal) actions to reduce bushfire hazards in each district in a
coordinated effort, instead of relying on evacuation plans.
Mover: Macleay Valley Branch
2 Eligibility for Flood Repair Grants
That Conference call on the state and federal governments to extend
flood repair grants to all farming families on a case-by-case basis,
regardless of which local government area they reside in.
Mover: Southern Regional Conference (Cootamundra SEC)
3 Natural disaster relief funding arrangements for local
governments
That NSW local governments be empowered to use their own day labour
during normal working hours when completing 2016 Natural Disaster
Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) restoration works (as was
the case with Queensland local governments) and that the Roads and
Maritime Services 2012 Natural Disaster Guidelines be updated.
Mover: Gilgandra Branch
That the NSW Nationals promote accelerated regional jobs growth by
developing a pilot program giving employers a choice of paying payroll
tax or diverting those taxes to directly paying the wages and costs of
new staff.
Mover: Northern Regional Conference (Macleay Valley Branch)
7 Support for a Royal Commission into banking
That Conference support the establishment of a royal commission into
banking.
Mover: Womens Council
Education
8 Careers advice
That Conference call on the NSW Government to introduce an
independent model of school based careers advice and further promote
school based traineeships and vocational training.
Mover: Young Nationals
9 Provision of mobile internet for students
That Conference calls on the State and Federal Governments to jointly
provision mobile internet access for laptops/devices issued by schools
to regional and rural students, where it is determined that there is no or
limited internet access available for their residence.

Economy and Taxation Mover: Goulburn SEC

4 Electricity prices and termination of supply 10 Students to register for Tax File Number
That Conference call on the NSW Minister for Energy to stabilise That Conference call on the NSW Government to implement a policy that
electricity prices and clarify retailers authority to terminate supply. requires all students in Year Nine to register for a Tax File Number.
Mover: Tweed SEC Mover: Young Nationals

5 Onshore fuel refinement

That Conference call on the Federal Government to reinstate the
refinement of fuels on-shore in Australia.
Mover: Dubbo SEC

NB: These motions are not Party policy unless passed at Conference
11 Support for needs-based school funding in regional
areas
That Conference calls upon the Federal Government to ensure that it
works with state governments to fully fund its share of evidence and
needs-based school funding allocations with the objective of ensuring
a level educational playing field for current and future rural and regional
students.
Mover: Metropolitan Branch / Womens Council
12 Workload of secondary school principals
That Conference call for an urgent review of the workload intensification
faced by NSW secondary school principals with a view to increasing the
time they have to focus on teaching and learning.
Mover: Womens Council / Education Policy Committee
Government and Electoral Matters
13 Early voting period
That pre-poll voting be limited to the five working days prior to state and
federal elections.
Mover: Armidale Branch
14 Frequency of redistributions
That NSW and Commonwealth electoral laws be amended so as to
reduce the frequency of redistributions.
Mover: Narrabri Branch
15 Length of Commonwealth parliamentary terms
That Conference support the adoption of four-year terms for the House
of Representatives.
Mover: Armidale Branch
16 State political donation laws
That NSW election funding and disclosures laws be simplified.
Mover: Northern Regional Conference (Kingscliff Branch)
17 Truth in advertising
That truth in political advertising laws be implemented for federal and
state elections.
Mover: Northern Regional Conference (Kingscliff Branch)
Health
18 Compulsory nutrition plans for mental health plans
That Conference call for the inclusion of compulsory nutrition plans within
all mental health plans for those aged 25 years or younger.
Mover: Henty Branch
NB: These motions are not Party policy unless passed at Conference
19 Drug education program
That the NSW Government launch a new drug awareness campaign,
and a prevention and early intervention model similar to that used
successfully in Sweden.
Mover: Northern Regional Conference (Kingscliff Branch)
20 Headspace Centres
That Conference urge the Federal Government to mandate that
Primary Health Networks actively involve young people in the decision
making process regarding tendering and delivery of new and exsisting
Headspace services.
Mover: Young Nationals
21 Maternity services in rural and regional hospitals
That Conference call for womens health services to be increased in rural
and regional areas.
Mover: Young Nationals
22 Residential mental health and drug services in
regional NSW
That the NSW Nationals support increased residential services for people
with drug dependency and mental health issues in rural and regional
NSW.
Mover: Womens Council
23 Review into mental healthcare for older Australians
That the Federal Minister for Aged Care and Health review the
management of mental health programs and support services for older
Australians, with a particular emphasis on those people in Residential
Aged Care Facilities (RACF) and those being supported in the community
through community-based Aged Care Programs.
Mover: Corowa Branch
24 Rural and regional training for nurses
That, as a means of attracting and retaining key health professionals
in rural and regional areas, professional supervision and development
be provided and enhanced by mobile units visiting country locations
and offering training and education in emergency medicine (including
procedures using simulation), nursing, palliative care, mental health and
drug and alcohol services.
Mover: Metropolitan Branch / Henty Branch / Young Nationals
25 Shortage of aged care and disability service workers
That the NSW Nationals call on State and Federal Governments to initiate
strategies to address the shortage of trained and qualified staff (and the
levels of remuneration that are provided) in the aged care and disabilities
services sector.
Mover: Gilgandra Branch
26 Unvaccinated children
That the NSW Nationals strongly supports the Federal Governments
push for the introduction of a national law banning the attendance of
unvaccinated children at childcare centres and preschools.
Mover: Port Macquarie SEC
Law and Justice
27 Admissibility of evidence in domestic violence cases
That Conference support an amendment to the Criminal Procedure
Act 1986 (NSW) to allow the admissibility of recorded video in certain
cases where the victim does not (or cannot) appear before the court for
hearing.
Mover: Broken Hill Branch
28 Increased penalties for repeat domestic
violence offences
That Conference calls for repeat or recidivist offenders convicted of
domestic violence offences to face minimum penalties where the
offender is convicted of Serious Indictable Offences (punishable by more
than seven years) on three or more occasions.
Mover: Broken Hill Branch
29 Psychiatric assessment for violent offenders
before bail
That the NSW Nationals call for a psychiatric assessment of an offender
prior to a bail determinations they have a history of violence, or violent
crime.
Mover: Southern Highlands Branch
Party Affairs
30 Community pre-selections
That Conference urges all Electorate Councils to use the community
preselection process, particularly where a sitting member is retiring.
Mover: Tamworth Branch
31 Nomenclature of Coalition
That NSW Nationals parliamentarians at State and Federal level replace
Coalition with Liberal & Nationals or Nationals & Liberals when in
government and opposition, to differentiate the Nationals as a standalone
Party.
Mover: Corowa Branch
Constitution and Rules
32 Electorate Council Second Delegates
That Rule 5.2.1 (i) be amended by inserting the words where possible
after:
 (i) for Federal Electorate Councils only, at least one of the officers
elected as Chairman or the Councils second delegate to Central
Council shall be a woman delegate.
So that it reads:
 5.2.1 (i) for Federal Electorate Councils only, at least one of the officers
elected as Chairman or the Councils second delegate to Central
Council shall be a woman delegate where possible
Mover: Coffs Harbour Branch
NB: These motions are not Party policy unless passed at Conference
33 Ability of Central Council to suspend a member
That Rule 7.4.2 be amended by inserting the words or suspended or
or suspend after the word cancelled or cancelled.
So that it reads:
 7.4.2 Where Central Council receives a complaint that a Members
or Associate Members general behaviour, public utterances, or
writings, have been such as to bring or attempt to bring discredit or
undue embarrassment to the Party, its Parliamentary Members or its
officers, Central Council, at its discretion, may call upon that Member
or Associate Member to show cause why membership should not
be cancelled or suspended. After due consideration, during which
the person may be heard in defence, Central Council may cancel or
suspend forthwith the membership, or dismiss the complaint or deal
with the Member or Associate Member in any other way.
Mover: Constitution and Ethics Committee
Primary Industries and
Environment
34 Building of dams
That Conference calls on the Federal Government to commence building
major water storage dams as soon as possible.
Mover: Dubbo SEC
35 Emissions Intensity Scheme
That Conference urge the Commonwealth Government to introduce an
emissions intensity scheme.
Mover: Young Nationals
36 Murray Darling Basin Plan offsets
That Conference calls on the Federal Government to:
a) U
 ndertake an evaluation of the management of the Coorong,
Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth to specifically identify
improvements that could contribute to Basin Plan offsets (650GL)
minimising the need for water recovery; and
b) Make
 any amendments to the Basin Plan necessary to enable
these offsets to be realised.
Mover: D
 eniliquin Branch / Tamworth Branch / Murray SEC /
Farrer FEC / Southern Regional Conference
37 Excess environmental water
That Conference calls upon the Commonwealth Environmental Water
Holder to release excess environmental water for sale to productive
industry.
Mover: Tamworth Branch
38 Increase in kangaroo cull quotas
That Conference calls on the Federal Government to increase the cull
quota of kangaroos.
Mover: Dubbo SEC
39 Koala conservation
That Conference call on the NSW Government to expedite the
development of a whole-of-government Koala Strategy, which would
involve the creation of a series of Koala sanctuaries in key areas to
facilitate their breeding, health and re-population; and help protect them
from their greatest threats motor vehicles, dogs and wildfire. These
sanctuaries would have a tourism component to aid their financial
sustainability.
Mover: Northern Regional Conference (Macleay Valley Branch)
40 LLS revenue
That Conference call on the NSW Government to address the shortfall
in Local Land Service revenue by including all holdings greater than two
hectares in the Local Land Service Rating System
Mover: Cowra Branch
41 Murray Valley National Park
That Conference call for the Murray Valley National Park to be
converted to the Murray Valley State Forest so that sustainable and
viable forestry can be practiced as it was until 2010.
Mover: Southern Regional Conference (Urgency Motion)
42 Recognition of Snowy Mountains Brumby
That Conference acknowledge the cultural significance of the Snowy
Mountains Brumby and call for the NSW Government to do the same.
Mover: Southern Regional Conference (Monaro SEC)
43 Reforms to hardwood forestry regulation
That Conference:
1) Call on the State Government to move control of forestry (including
private forestry) from the Environment Protection Agency to the
Department of Primary Industries;
2) Support the implementation of the Natural Resources Commission
review of the native hardwood forest industry; and
3) Does not support further land being designated a Threatened
Ecological Community, until the National Parks and Wildlife
Service demonstrate that its National Park Estate is being actively
managed, and is making a positive and lasting contribution to
threatened species survival.
Mover: Northern Regional Conference (Macleay Valley Branch) /
Macleay Valley Branch
44 Research levy on plastics industry to promote
disintegration
That Conference calls for a research and development levy on the
plastics industry, with the aim of developing materials that disintegrate to
the benefit of the environment.
Mover: Wagga Wagga Branch
45 Seeds for medicinal cannabis trial
That Conference support the use of seeds grown and developed in
Australia for medicinal cannabis trials in Australia.
Mover: Northern Regional Conference (Macleay Valley Branch)
46 Support for Forestry Industry Roadmap
That Conference:
a) Fully supports the action being taken by the NSW Governments
Forestry Industry Roadmap in establishing an Independent Timber
Industry and stresses the importance of meeting the Roadmaps
timelines; and
b) R
 eiterates its support for the North Coast hardwood timber
industry and the regional towns that rely upon the local timber
mills.
Mover: Bulahdelah Branch / Manning Valley Branch
NB: These motions are not Party policy unless passed at Conference
Regional Development
47 Advertising campaign for regional communities
That Conference call for:
a) A
 Federal Government advertising campaign highlighting regional
communities, including the lifestyle benefits of living outside a
capital city and improvements made to these communities over
the past seven years making them better places to live; and
b) T
 he Party to develop, as a matter of priority, policies that will grow
the population of communities across regional NSW.
Mover: M
 etropolitan Branch / Southern Regional Conference
(Monaro SEC)
48 Allocation of superannuation funds to nation building
Calls on the Federal Parliament to mandate that superannuation funds
allocate 10 per cent of all funds to nation building projects.
Mover: Wollondilly SEC
49 Retention of government services
That Conference opposes further centralisation of local services such as
NSW Trustee and Guardian, Crown Land, TAFE, and the Title Office.
Mover: Broken Hill Branch
50 Increased funding for Mobile Black Spot Program
That Conference urge both State and Federal Governments to increase
funding for the Mobile Black Spot Program.
Mover: Young Nationals
51 Telecommunications Expert Panel
That Conference call for the establishment of a NSW
Telecommunications Expert Panel which is:
a) Specifically focussed on NSW regional/rural and remote areas;
b) Is independent of the NSW Telecommunications Authority; and
c) W
 ould oversee, endorse and recommend timely, effective and
efficient practical alternative telecommunication initiatives for these
areas.
Mover: Southern Regional Conference (Monaro SEC)
Roads & Transport
52 Compulsory comprehensive property damage
insurance for motor vehicles
That Conference calls for compulsory comprehensive or third party
property damage insurance in addition to third party personal injury
insurance before a motor vehicle can be registered.
Mover: Richmond FEC
53 P Plate Licence restrictions
That Conference call upon the NSW Government to allow an exemption
to the rules for P Plate licence holders to allow the use of a mobile phone
as navigational aid (GPS), where that phone is fixed to the car with a
specifically designed cradle.
Mover: Young Nationals
54 Passenger trains for North-West NSW 60 Federal Minister for Housing
That Conference call on the NSW Government to expedite the delivery of That that Conference call for a Cabinet level Minister for Housing to
the replacement passenger trains for North West NSW. address the housing crisis in Australia.
Mover: Young Nationals Mover: Henty Branch

55 Regulation of Mobility Scooters 61 Introduction of an Australia Card

That Conference calls on the Federal Government to introduce uniform That Conference support the introduction of an Australia Card so
Australian Design Rules and Standards for mobility scooters, also known that there is one card to identify people as opposed to the various
as motorised wheelchairs, limiting the weight of these scooters to less identification requirements that currently exist.
than 150kg and restricting them to a maximum speed of 6km/h. Mover: Parkes Branch
And furthermore, calls on the NSW Government to:
a) Introduce a permit for periods of three years for mobility scooters;
62 Laundry facilities and clothing for the homeless
b) Introduce a fee of no more than $50 to be payable at the time of
That Conference call on the NSW Government to provide ablution and
issue each three years, and such fee to be payment for a third-
laundry facilities as well as undergarments for the homeless in regional
party Green Slip for mobility scooters;
NSW in locations as recommended by the government agencies and
c) R
 equire a person registering a mobility scooter to furnish a doctors non-government agencies that work with the homeless.
certificate confirming the applicant has sound mental health and
Mover: Northern Regional Conference (Clarence SEC)
is not affected by any other condition which would impede their
ability to safely use the mobility scooter. This certificate should be
produced at the time of permit issue.
63 Principal residence not an asset for Age Pension
Mover: Inverell Branch eligibility
That Conference reiterate its stance that the principal residence should
56 Simplifying regulations on the movement of farm not be counted as an asset when determining eligibility for the Age
Pension.
machinery
Mover: Tweed SEC
That Conference calls for simplified, standardised and cost effective
regulation and licencing for the movement of agricultural machinery on
(or across) local, regional and national roads.
64 Removal of abortion from Crimes Act
Mover: Parkes Branch / Cowra Branch
That the NSW Nationals call on the NSW Government to remove
abortion from Sections 82, 83 and 84 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).
Mover: Womens Council

Social Issues 65 Review of ABC Charter

57 Businesses provision of childcare not to trigger That Conference call on the Federal Parliamentary Party to push for a
Fringe Benefits Tax review of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Charter to reflect new
media platforms and the need for factual reporting.
That Conference call on the Federal Parliamentary Party to introduce a
policy enabling businesses to set up their own (non-subsidised) child Mover: Narrabri Branch
care centres for their employees and exempt the provision of this care
from the Fringe Benefit Tax.
66 Syrian refugee crisis
Mover: Richmond FEC
That the Nationals recognises the escalating refugees crisis in Syria, and
calls for:
58 Disability permits for over 85s a) T
 he Federal Government to increase the annual intake to at least
That Conference call on the NSW Government to implement a system 15,000 additional Syrian refugees, and;
that provides active Seniors who hold a drivers licence and are aged b) A
 percentage of refugees be allocated for resettlement in regional
over 85 with an authority that allows them to park in authorised disabled Australia;
parking spots.
c) A
 dditional support to be prioritised for regional councils, to ensure
Mover: Wagga Wagga Branch that regional communities have the necessary infrastructure to
welcome refugee families.
Mover: Young Nationals
59 Funding for volunteer community transport
organisations
That Conference call on the NSW Government to provide funding
assistance, similar to IPTAAS, to voluntary organisations that address the
unmet need in the provision of community transport services for people
requiring health services.
Mover: Northern Regional Conference (Clarence SEC)

NB: These motions are not Party policy unless passed at Conference