One Nation is under pressure to clarify its position on fuel tax credits after its rookie MP, David Farley, voted alongside the Greens and teal independents to wind back the rebates, a move opposed by mining and farming groups.
Farley votes to cap fuel tax credits
The Farrer MP sided with the Greens and teal independents in a lower house vote to cap the scheme, which refunds miners, farmers and other heavy machinery users the 52.6 cents per litre excise on petrol and diesel. The amendment, moved by Bradfield MP Nicolette Boele, was defeated after Labor and the Coalition rejected it.
Farley's stance endorses a position that the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) and National Farmers' Federation (NFF) have labelled an attack on farmers, miners and truck drivers – constituencies One Nation claims to represent.
Industry backlash
MCA chief executive Tania Constable, whose organisation this week launched a campaign to protect the scheme from “noisy activists”, said Farley's vote was “really disappointing”.
“David Farley is a regional member and it was his first big opportunity to show what he's made of, and he voted against regional Australia,” Constable told Sky News. “He voted against the farmers, the fishers, the construction industry. He voted against the miners. He voted against regional Australia and we're really deeply disappointed that he threw his lot in with the Greens and the teals.”
Confusion over intent
Guardian Australia has not been able to establish if Farley – sworn into parliament earlier this month – intended to vote for Boele's amendment or made a mistake. The Farrer MP told the Nine papers that Tuesday's vote was “political theatre” and replied “No” when asked if he was caught out by the process speed.
Farley did not respond to calls from Guardian Australia, and One Nation declined to comment. If Farley did intend to support the amendment, it would represent the latest case of policy freelancing after he backed current migration levels and signalled he would fly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag in his office. He later clarified on Facebook that his office would fly the Australian flag and that no flag would stand above or replace it.
One Nation's private assurances
Guardian Australia has been told One Nation privately assured mining bosses on Wednesday that Farley made a mistake and the party supports the existing fuel tax credit regime. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson earlier this month said she “had to have a conversation” with Farley about his positions.
Coalition criticism
The Nationals seized on Farley's decision, staging a press conference with NFF CEO Michael Guerin to demand clarity on One Nation's position. Shadow resources minister Susan McDonald said: “David Farley says it's all theatrics. If he wants theatrics, he should join a play group. But if he is serious about being a part of the Australian parliament, of taking his job and the voters that have sent him here seriously, he has got to think about what he is doing. Is this now One Nation policy?”
Asked if Farley should be forgiven as a rookie MP who made a mistake, Nationals leader Matt Canavan said: “I don't think this is a place for training wheels.” Shadow treasurer Tim Wilson said Farley's position showed One Nation was “all over the place”. “I don't really know where it is they stand, or who they're fighting for, but that's a matter for them,” he said.
