Ron Boswell gravely ill: National Party members race to Brisbane
Members of the National Party are dashing to Queensland from all over the country to be with one of their heroes, who is gravely sick after picking up an infection following surgery.
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A HERO of the National Party - Ron Boswell - is gravely ill at St Andrews Hospital in Brisbane.
Former deputy prime minster Barnaby Joyce and Resources Minister Matt Canavan, who was in Victoria, are making a beeline to Queensland to visit the former paint salesman-turned Queensland Senator.
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It is understood Mr Boswell, 78, underwent surgery and now has a serious infection.
Mr Boswell, a Senator for 31 years, has been a living treasure for so many Nationals, who have received and sought his guidance.
In Parliament, Mr Boswell had the common man’s touch, with common sense in spades. He was a constant fighter for Queensland, even after his retirement from the Senate in 2014.
He was a staunch fighter against One Nation and known for his cut-through election advertising in 2001 that stated, “He’s not pretty, but he’s pretty effective”.
In his maiden speech in May 25, 1983, Mr Boswell insights reveal some things have not changed for conservatives.
“I am aware of my responsibilities to the people of Queensland and Australia and I give notice now that I will be one of the strongest advocates to protect the rights of my State, given under the Constitution.
“I shudder every time I hear that the Labor Government has shelved another project.
“How can it say that it is looking after north Queensland when it has shelved the Townsville domestic terminal project and refuses to honour a commitment of the former Government to fund a feasibility study for the Bradfield scheme, a scheme which could have tremendous implications for north Queensland and for Australia as a whole?
“That scheme could provide Australia with another Darling Downs and if it was feasible it would provide many more jobs for the unemployed of north Queensland. Furthermore, it has become well known in Cairns, which faces a serious unemployment problem, that the construction schedule for five naval patrol boats is to be slowed down.”
In the publication Country Life in 2017, he wrote, “The Nationals had been in hand-to-hand combat with One Nation for years.
“We learned the hard way, when former Premier of Queensland, Rob Borbidge resisted giving preferences to One Nation but was overridden by the party. The result was 14 years in opposition.
“One Nation’s ideas might sound good, but for regional Australia they’re catastrophic.”
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