Our History

For 100 years The Nationals have fought for the regions. 

Through times of war and peace, prosperity and hardship, we have stood shoulder to shoulder with the people who call country NSW home. We stand for all regional communities – mums and dads, families, the retired, small business operators, sea-changers and tree-changers, students, apprentices and anyone in between.

We’re united by a love for the real Australia and a commitment to make it better.

Our Structure

We aren’t drawn together by a defining ideology like some political parties. We just want a fair deal for regional communities.

The Nationals are proud to be a grassroots organisation with more than 150 branches across the state. That means it’s the members – not the leaders – who are in charge of  what we do.

We are the only party that gives the people of the regions a voice in Parliament and a seat at the decision-making table.

‘We Believe’ & Constitution

Our values are set out in the ‘We Believe’ statement, a set of principles we strive to uphold.

These values include equal opportunity; freedom of speech, movement and philosophy; freedom of religion and association; equality and justice before the law; reward for initiative; civic nationalism and Australian identity; and opposition to social and political ideas that threaten freedom and democracy in Australia and throughout the world.

The NSW Nationals Constitution and Rules have been established over the past century to ensure we continue to deliver fairness and opportunity for all members.

We stand up for common sense and the wellbeing of all regional Australians.

Young Nationals

The Young Nats are a dedicated community committed to achieving the very best for Regional NSW.

Young Nationals come from across the state and from all walks of life. It doesn’t matter if you’re a doctor, a plumber, a student, have your own family or still live at home; the Young Nats welcome everyone who wants to put regional, rural, and remote communities first.

With a commitment to the community and a can-do attitude, the Young Nats are an important part of delivering a safe and secure future for the regions.

Women’s Council

Women’s Council plays an important role in developing policy that benefits women across regional New South Wales.

Country women have always been hard workers for their communities, and the NSW Nationals want to ensure these local champions have every opportunity to contribute. Women’s Council doesn’t only work for the interests of members, they take the role women play in rural and regional NSW very seriously and work hard to give them a voice.

Annual General Conference

The NSW Nationals is the most democratic grassroots political party in Australia.

Each year, members from across the state gather to discuss and debate policy motions that are put forward by the members themselves at a branch level. These motions, if carried, go on to influence policy at a State and Federal level. No other organisation gives grassroots members such direct control over official decision making.