The Country Alliance is a minor political party in the state of Victoria, Australia^[1]. It was founded in early 2004 by four rural Victorians concerned with the policies of the existing parties. It contested its first election at the 2006 Victorian State Election. It was officially registered on August 15, 2005, and now has over 1000 members. Motto: Peace and Prosperity Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Governor HE Mr John Landy Premier Steve Bracks (ALP) Area 237,629 km² (6th)  - Land 227,416 km²  - Water 10,213 km² (4. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The state election for the 56th Parliament of Victoria is scheduled for 25 November 2006. ... August 15 is the 227th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (228th in leap years), with 138 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The party was 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] Russell Bate is the Country Alliance spokesperson; chairs Field and Game Australia, Musica Viva, Majitek Pty Ltd, and Australian Distributed Incubator. ...

It purposely has few policies, as its elected representatives were 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^{[citation needed]}. Telstra Corporation (ASX: TLS, NZX: TLS, NYSE: TLS) (formed from Telecom Australia) is an Australian telecommunications company under private ownership, holding a dominant position in landline telephone services, large share of mobile phone services, domestic consumer (including dial-up access and Broadband internet broadband cable modem, satellite and ADSL services...

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 had the in-principle support of moderate conservative independent MLAs Craig Ingram and Russell Savage. Russell Bate is the Country Alliance spokesperson; chairs Field and Game Australia, Musica Viva, Majitek Pty Ltd, and Australian Distributed Incubator. ... The National Party of Australia is an Australian conservative political party, which claims to represent rural voters. ... The Outdoor Recreation Party is a minor political party in Australia. ... The Fishing Party (TFP) is a minor Australian political party whose primary support base is found among recreational fishermen and women. ... The Family First Party (FFP/F1) is a political party in Australia, with policies that generally mirror socially conservative and family values. ... Craig Ingram is the independent MP for Gippsland East in the Victorian Legislative Assembly. ... Russell Savage was the independent member for the Victorian Legislative Assembly seat of Mildura from 1996 until 2006. ...

In the 2006 Victorian election the party contested 3 regional upper regions (out of a total of 8 regions), but did not contest any lower house seats.

Country Alliance received just over 2% of the vote in Northern Victoria and less in the Western and Eastern Victoria Regions. However its preferences in Western Victoria were critical in supporting the DLP's Peter Kavanagh who went on to pick up ALP preferences ahead of the Greens' Marcus Ward, and ultimately the fifth seat in that region.

As a consequence of not achieving a 4% primary vote, the Victorian Electoral Commission was required to review the party's membership list, which involved a postal audit of its members. The party achieved the required 500 returns in just two weeks despite the 2 day deliveries in country areas both ways and Easter when postal services are not provided.

The party's primary vote at the 2006 Victorian state election was less than for the Greens, National Party and Family First, but more than the other minor parties.

The party's executive reconvened in Bendigo on 5 May 2007 and is working to hold its first AGM on 21 July 2007.

External link

• Official site

References