Country Alliance
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The Country Alliance is a new minor political party in the state of Victoria, Australia. It was founded in early 2004 by rural Victorians concerned with the policies of the existing parties. It contested it's first election at the 2006 Victorian State Election. It was officially registered on August 15, 2005, and now has over 1000 members.
The party was unofficially launched in August 2005, after which Russell Bate, one of the party founders, stated that "The thing that first caused us to gather around the kitchen table and say, 'We'd better do something', was the prospect of the Greens holding the balance of power. At this stage that's the saga we're trying to avoid." [1]
It purposely has few policies, as its elected representatives are supposed to independently act in their constituents interests. It is, however, pro-logging, pro-firearms, and is supportive of commercial activities in ecologically sensitive areas. It also opposed the full sale of Telstra and has advocated for the decentralisation of government bureaucracies.
The party is supported by the Australian Motorcycle Trail Riders Association and Combined Firearms Council of Victoria. It was founded by four people; among them Mansfield councillor Russell Bate. Others say it has declared its principles to be similar to the National Party of Australia, Outdoor Recreation Party, Fishing Party and the Family First Party. It also has the in-principle support of moderate conservative independent MLAs Russell Savage and Craig Ingram.
In the 2006 Victorian election the party contested the 3 regional upper district. They received 2% of the vote in Northern Victoria but less than a percent of the vote in the other two districts.
