The Backbone of the Country

ACT's vision is for a thriving rural sector, well supported by good infrastructure.

Summary

ACT's recognises the rural sector is the backbone of the country.  ACT would lower taxes, restrain local council rates, and slash compliance costs will all help to increase the prosperity of rural communities.

ACT's goals

• A prosperous rural sector, where farming and supporting businesses thrive.
• Access to quality public services for rural communities.

ACT's policies

• Uphold the sanctity of property rights. ACT will oppose any legislation that will deny farmers the right to say who may enter their property. The status quo must remain.  
• Reduce compliance costs in key areas affecting farming, particularly the Resource Management Act. Reform of local bodies to remove a layer of government and confine activities to core services. End ACC's monopoly. 
• Significant tax reductions, simplifying the current system and rewarding those who work hard, invest wisely and save for their future.
• End the confiscation by regulation of rural development rights under the guise of resource management, by adopting the principle that development rights should be purchased, not appropriated by regulation.
• More effort from both the state and private sectors towards free trade.
• Roading, telecommunications and electricity are vital services for rural people. ACT favours having a strong network operated by competing private sector providers. ACT would fund roading through fuel taxes, road user charges and tolls rather than land based rates. 
• Policies on health, education and welfare which benefit rural families through the better use of private and public provision and having less New Zealanders relying on welfare payments. 
• ACT is the strongest party on law and order, backing the public's unanimous call for tougher sentencing and reducing crime. ACT will make our homes, farms and streets safer.

Policy outcomes

• Rural New Zealand continues to be the lynch pin of the economy well into the future, with deregulation, lower tax rates, less government, smarter investment, and focused research. 
• Profitable rural businesses – the best safeguard for a strong rural infrastructure and acceptable level of social services.