Dear Editor,
Barnaby Joyce’s crude, immature interjection during Question Time on September 4 was more than a poor choice of words — it was a stark reminder of the growing disregard for parliamentary decorum. His graphic remark, made while schoolchildren sat in the public gallery, was not only inappropriate but deeply embarrassing for the institution he represents.
Parliament is a place for serious debate, not off-colour one-liners. Mr Joyce’s repeated behaviour — from incoherent speeches to bizarre personal tangents — undermines public confidence in our democratic processes. It reflects poorly not only on him but on the broader standard of conduct we expect from our elected officials.
It is especially disappointing for the people of New England, who deserve a representative that brings integrity, focus, and dignity to Parliament — not someone who turns it into a sideshow. His conduct is an embarrassment to his electorate and diminishes the voice they send to Canberra.
Australians deserve leaders who elevate the debate, not drag it down.
Sincerely,
Denise McHugh
Hillvue
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It’s interesting that a member of the Tamworth branch of the alp takes the time to complain about Barnaby Joyce, but never complains about any of the things said in parliament by alp members or senators.
Probably less interesting & more hypocritical!
Steve Coxhead or no complaints needed 😄
Steve Coxhead keep supporting a dude who can’t even go a week sober or faithful to his wife mate. Says a lot about who you are.
Al Marshall your comment says more about who you are, your lack of knowledge & your ignorance than it does about me!
Steve Coxhead Members of the National Party (or any other party) are more than welcome to comment on Engage at any time.
Steve, Joyce is a joke, and an embarrassment to the New England, but one of Labor’s finest assets in parliament. Long may he remain our member. 😉
Steve Coxhead I am no longer a branch member of our local Australian Labor Party I let it lapse because when Kevin Anderson MP seat comes up for election I plan to run for the seat as an independent candidate
As an independent candidate
I wish she’d start taking her eyes off Barnaby (it’s getting to be a terrible habit that she’s developed), and start trying to do something about Albo & Chris Bowen!!
Colleen Bannister Is it wrong to discuss the conduct of the Federal Member for New England? Is it wrong for someone to write a letter to the editor, expecting better conduct from our Federal representative?
Alisa Perks she can do it if she wants to, but it is so constant, like an obsession! I wonder if she could do better?
Who could do better? Who is obsessed? Poor conduct from our Federal representative is a regular occurrence. Should it not be discussed?
Colleen Bannister yeah for God’s sake how dare we focus on what Barnaby Dolittle hasnt done for armidull
Albo does it all the time! It’s about time some of it is thrown back at them !
Tracey Anne No he doesn’t, actually.
Tracey Anne I would have to disagree with your assessment. Albanese has always has courteous interaction with others, while pursuing the debate in a vigorous way. This is best illustrated by his forceful rejection of triumphalism in his victory speech on election night when some of his supporters sought to denigrate Dutton.
John Nevin you are kidding right? You don’t have to look too far to find examples of Albanese being far from courteous!
Steve Coxhead he does not behave like our Federal Member did recently both in and out of Parliament
At this point it’s pretty hard to believe the people of New England are capable of feeling embarrassed.
Michael Ross we aren’t embarrassed of Barnaby if that’s what your implying.
Carly Knight You should be.
Michael Ross there’s a reason why he’s still there, what part don’t you comprehend???
Carly Knight I comprehend everything. The ‘reasons’ are poor educational opportunities and a lack of media ownership diversity.
Michael Ross Hi there. #factcheck The New England – having had a university here for 75 years – has a significantly higher rate of education than anywhere else in regional NSW, and while we could always do with more media generally, we do not lack in diverse media ownership. Us, Narrabri Courier + Gunnedah Times, Moree Online News, Glen Innes News, Manilla Express, Uralla Wordsworth, Guyra Gazette, Apsley Times, Quirindi Advocate, all independently owned and operated. ACM’s presence is basically down the Northern Daily Leader and a bunch of ghost mastheads. The only media where there is not diverse ownership is radio.
New England Times None of that makes what I said any less factual. A higher rate than the rest of regional NSW is a very low bar, and a handful of small outlets – mostly owned by the same demographic – doesn’t equal diversity.
He is a big mouth grub
Historically it is the liberal / nationals, predominantly , that have been bordering on poor decorum and bad behaviour in question time . Especially in Morrison’s time in office !.
Barnaby is a poor quality man, and so are those that support him
Paul Savins what’s that, 70 odd percent of the electorate!🤔
Dennis White 70 odd percent May vote for the Nationals like a cult in our electorate but to think this many find him a good man is a stretch.
Go Barnaby, keep up the good fight for the good of our Country if it’s not too late.
Maureen DuckMedia: https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.1997-6/12809167_956512847731105_1216001380_n.png?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=23dd7b&_nc_ohc=u7sp71iTOs4Q7kNvwF8B77-&_nc_oc=AdmSrwWVoAKJ3KC3x5JVwQRpVrAiAphuATB3xyyPt4wt7WLylffm8fvc8RaVm0xsj78&_nc_zt=26&_nc_ht=scontent-syd2-1.xx&edm=AOerShkEAAAA&_nc_gid=Lc1G5hfa37hyKeNIZfVZ1g&oh=00_AfZQAUfU2oAN8uThK7n-qk7wOEDxv3ijCEos6Ry9KeHniw&oe=68D1EAC2
Patricia C Worthington truth hurts.
Shame he is one of few that actually think about Austraians and the problems they are having, those that criticise should stop and think about where Australia is heading! And for the person complaining, are you for real! Have you seen what disgusting and childish antics Labor are performing! I don’t blame other politicians doing this as You can not get a straight forward answer from the government!
Jen Mac can you point out any issues benefitting Australia and his electorate in the past six years that Joyce has achieved?
Jen Mac- Australia is increasingly run for the corporate world and billionare class much like America,
Labor hasn’t done much on the housing crisis or cost of living and should be called corporate Labor accordingly.
I personally believe Labor accept political donations from these corporations which explains part of why this is the case. Why bet on 1 horse when you can just buy both ????
As a private school educated sheep and cattle farmer.
What a load of rubbish Barnaby gets it spot on every time ?
His lack of knowledge of the toxic byproduct of our current power source gets me. Along with the weird image of a conspiracy theorist.
Great work Barnaby Joyce. Stick it into the grubs.
New England Times you should mention Denise Carr/McHugh has a renowned left wing Labor pedigree who has had over the years numerous failed attempts at State and Federal representation.
Keep at it Barnaby.
Andrew Horton- all the more reason for term limits on career politicians but I don’t see either side bringing that in, that would be representing the people and we can’t have that, rather represent party membership and donars instead.
Andrew Horton You are welcome to make your own partisan comments on Engage.
It’s said that “In a democracy, people get the leaders they deserve” (Joseph de Maistre).
Sadly, I’m in the minority of that democratic vote so must suffer his representation, but I definitely do not deserve it.
Christine Davis Hear Hear!
Barnaby Joyce is a pest and should not have been re elected! This town needs change and he is not it! And now that he is on the back benches he is just sticking his head into everything to keep his name and face in the media! His own party don’t even like or want him! He just keeps sailing into the role because old national voters keep voting him in because it’s been generationally bred into to them to vote for the nats! We need real change in this town from someone who is just not in it for themselves and their farming buddies! The New England is no longer a small country area it is becoming an epicenter and needs so much new infrastructure to keep up with the growth of the area and also needs medical facilities that don’t provide adequate healthcare, our healthcare is worse than a 3rd world country! And my other pet hate is crime and the alarming rise of youth crime neither of our local members are doing much to combat this issue, they need to start taking real action instead of banging on about farms and roads in parliament and take the harsh real issues to parliament! #noclownsasmps
Vanessa Wilde Regards crime & health , those issues are a State Government responsibility and the Labor party are governing NSW and make the final decisions.
Oh my gawd, for a region that is supposedly ‘highly educated’ that education is not well reflected in the majority of the comments. For example, people haven’t even provided examples for their claims about what Albo or Baranaby (be still my beating heart) have or have not done! YAY for nonsensical political discourse