Today is a milestone in Australian politics. The Federal Nationals celebrate their 90^th anniversary. Yes, it was on this date in 1920 the Australian Country Party was formed as a party in the Federal Parliament. Like the majority of you I was not around at that time, but names like Earle Page, John McEwen, Doug Anthony, Ian Sinclair and John Anderson were to become well known to Australians down the years as we became the National Country party and then The Nationals.Being a conservative country base, we never boasted about our achievements in Government, but there have been many. The nation's first radio broadcasting licences, establishment of the CSIRO, the Rural Reconstruction Scheme, the Roads to Recovery programme and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal are just a few of the achievements of my party whilst in Government.

Our record in New England is outstanding.

In 1954, Earle Page was instrumental in the establishment of the University of New England at Armidale.

Ian Sinclair established a Centrelink office in every country electorate and Armidale was chosen in New England.

He also ensured the New England Highway was declared a National Highway to enable direct funding from the Federal Government

And Stuart St. Clair was successful in obtaining funding for the upgrading of Devils Pinch south of Guyra.

The Nationals led the fight to throw out Kevin Rudd's Emissions Trading Scheme, and we have refused to pass the youth allowance legislation because it is detrimental to regional students. That is what we are about. As I travel around the country I talk to more and more people who now see The Nationals as their only voice, the only ones who understand, the only ones who will listen. We won't let them down.