John Cobb
John Cobb was no stranger to politics when he entered Federal Parliament in 2001. Born and raised in western NSW and a former president of the NSW Farmers’ Association, John made the move into federal politics to change city-centric politics and achieve a fair go for country people.
John served as the Member for Parkes from 2001 until the 2007 election. Following a redistribution of electoral boundaries in 2006, he made the decision to stand for the seat of Calare, which took in most of the old seat of Parkes and now includes the local government areas of Bourke, Brewarrina, Orange, Cowra, Blayney and Cabonne.
John has held a range of Ministerial portfolios, first being appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Services following the 2004 election. He subsequently served as Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs (2005), Minister for Community Services (2006-7) and Assistant Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (2007).
After the 2007 election, John accepted a posting in Shadow Cabinet as Minister for Regional Development and Water Security, two issues very close to his heart, and in 2008 he was appointed Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. As well as his portfolio responsibilities, he continues to work hard to attract and keep doctors and medical specialists in the bush, ensuring quality telecommunications for the country, returning property rights to landholders and protecting the interests of small business. John believes it is these basic values that will drive regional growth and ensure the social and economic fabric of our rural communities thrives.
Articles by John Cobb
No sustainability without food security
Since becoming Prime Minister, Gillard has been work-shopping the phrase ‘Sustainable Australia’. Like Kevin 07’s, ‘working families’ no-one really has…... Read more
The only population Labor cares about is its own
Over Easter, the then Prime Minister quietly upgraded one of his Mandarins. It was the second time in as many…... Read more
Posturing over water ignores our history of drought
It is an absolute tribute to the men and women who built the Snowy Mountains Scheme that their engineering marvels…... Read more
The carbon tax debate Australia never had
The current debate is not about the science of climate change. The climate has always changed, it always will. At…... Read more
My drought plea to the Prime Minister
This week I have been travelling around the Central and Western wheat-belt of NSW and have seen the destruction that…... Read more
Rudd’s ETS more poisonous than a cane toad
As the emissions trading scheme debate moves towards a frenzied climax in the Senate, Australia is sadly overlooking the biggest…... Read more
Where’s the stimulus cash for our food producers?
Agriculture Minister Tony Burke claimed as an observer to the G8 Agriculture Minister’s meeting in Europe that “Australia has a…... Read more
On the origins of the bogan as a species
It was a meeting last week with a fired up General Manager of the Bogan Shire Council, Mike Brady, and…... Read more
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choice ringside rantings
From: Punch on: Open thread 09/02/2012
marley says:
I'm one of the older ones, so I've certainly seen a few changes in my time. When I started school I learned to write with a nib pen, dipped in an inkwell (no, I'm not kidding). My mother became a dab hand at getting inkstains out of my clothes. Flicking ink at one another in the classroom was an essential… [read more]From: I’d rather have a piece of toast than listen to crap lyrics
Erick says:
Led Zeppelin are responsible for my all-time favourite mixed metaphor: "There you sit, sit and stare, like a book on a shelf rusting." (Misty Mountain Hop) I laugh every time I hear it. Hmmm, I believe I've decided what to play on the way to work today. [read more]Gentle jabs to the ribs
No wuckin forries. These nuckin futs are tuckin fops
Well, puck me with a fitchfork. The F-word is apparently an acceptable part of Australian speech. That’s… Read more
