Politics overall has not been kind to Barnaby Joyce but he has made his bed and now must lie in it.
But he will not lie down…and neither does it appear that he will defect to Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party. Rather it appears, he will languish where he is; guaranteed of a secure financial position for the next two and a half years, with no political responsibilities.
As a now “free agent” he will be free to vent his spleen, taunt his electorate and the party that propelled him to infamous political fame, with uncertainty, indecision and speculation.
Twelve years employed at taxpayers expense and what have we got from our investment in Barnaby Joyce? For now his political reputation cannot sink much lower.
Despite his advocacy, Joyce’s career has not been without its controversies. He has faced scrutiny, and hypocrisy, over his stances on various social issues, including same-sex marriage, gender equity and climate change. A stench of corruption seems to waft behind him like the decomposed fish in the dried-up riverbed remains of his water rights management policies.
He has the talent of saying ‘stuff’ and sounding genuine, that courses through the veins of many a politician and political influencer such as Gina Reinhart who reportedly contributed $700,000 to Barnaby’s 2013 election campaign and personally rewarded him with a $40,000 cheque for his services to “agriculture”[?].
Barnaby leaves us with a legacy of getting into drunken brawls and “poor judgement” (all in the spirit of selling his book, which can now be found in the clearance bins of most reputable bookshops), a parliamentary ”bonk ban” in his honour and allegations of bum groping, sexual harassment and rorts for his mates and himself.
During his time as Agriculture Minister, Joyce personally oversaw the mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin, ensuring National Party donors were winners and the waterways…. well, the dead fish tell that story.
Back in 2005, Joyce added to his superannuation portfolio and bought two properties in the Pilliga, in the middle of land on which Eastern Star Gas planned to develop 1,100 coal seam gas wells.
He did not declare the landholding when the Coalition passed an inland rail development, which would conveniently travel by his properties. Joyce reluctantly agreed to sell the properties in 2013 but did not do so until 2018, when forced to fund his divorce settlement from another of his sad breakdowns in his relationships.
Perhaps the most telling legacy of this not so honourable Member for New England is his admission on his return to the office of Deputy Prime Minister following his forced resignation: “I don’t want the government any more in my life. I’m sick of the government being in my life.”
Never the less, for now and the next two and a half years, Barnaby appears to be determined to get his “pound of flesh” at New England’s expense.
Got something on your mind? Go on then, engage. Submit your opinion piece, letter to the editor, or Quick Word now.
I’d like to see a list of his alleged accomplishments for the people of New England. His fans say he’s done wonders for the community but never specify anything.
Eve Sinton 💯%
Eve Sinton He got a drive-through post box in Armidale. That’s literally it.
He does have an office in Tamworth but it doesn’t look like much happens there!
Eve Sinton he helped stopped the forced amalgamation in our town and he’s now fighting against the involuntary acquisition of our prime farming land. He turns up to events and fundraisers, the last one we had he was helping out everywhere with everything that needed doing and cooking the bbq. I don’t care if he enjoys a beer at least he has his feet on the ground and common sense
If we was’t popular with the electorate he would not win with such great margins, he has always worked hard for regional Australia and the New England so your scathing comments are not called for.
Jude Costello The Nationals could put an Akubra on a cattle dog and it would win in New England.
Aaron Schmitzer They had an independent for many years so that statement is rot
Virginia Liddle An Independent who had sought National Party preselection, with no National Party opposition, who everyone assumed was aligned with the National Party until he voted with Julia Gillard and retired because it was untenable to run again in the electorate with that baggage.
Aaron Schmitzer still an independent who defeated any nationals who challenged him
Virginia Liddle There weren’t any. Wise up.
Aaron Schmitzer I think a fellow called StClair had a go
Jude Costello you are kidding. Right?
Jude Costello just downright rude. Lets hope Barnaby sees it.
Jude Costello The bloke is a complete drongo
Jude Costello i agree, he has backed our town time and time again and fought hard for us. Who cares if he has a beer at least he is on the ground with common sense
Jude Costello any nat member would high votes there the guy shouldcretire
I’d say it’s given him the kindness of very significant taxpayer income, leave and benefits with little clear benefit to constituents or the wider country.
David Lemmo put your name up for election and see how you go😠😡
Maybe he’s joining Alcoholics Anonymous.
If he believed his own BS he’d run for the House with his new party. But because he doesn’t, he’ll see out his days in the senate like so many others who care only about their salary and not about the country.
Stand aside so we can have a by-election and, maybe, get someone who can think of others, not just themselves!
Chris Wayling and what is that proposal going to cost us? They should be required to serve their full term, unless they have illness. If they stand down otherwise, they should pay full costs for another election instead of the taxpayers.
Chris Wayling yeah right 😜
He won’t lie down but will probably get drunk and fall down.
This is how the press dabble in destruction
“Taunt his electorate” – do you meant the people that vote him in by huge numbers every election? And all of the communities of the New England fighting the non-renewables disaster on which Barnaby has been heroic? Pull you heads in! And the Coalition is not working for any of us – it is dead, buried and about to be cremated.
Karen Fox hear,hear!👌
I’m so tired of the left, right or centre. Sadly they are NOT allowed to expose Agenda 30!
Politicians know exactly what’s going on!
Don’t they realise they are ALL Gophers for the Evil at the Top of the Pyramid!!!
Well said.👌👍👏
🤮
The drunkard has to go! Go and raise your poor kids and get off the booze.
Straight to the pub Barnaby where you can be usefull
The impact of Barnaby’s departure will have a significant effect, not just locally, but also in Canberra. I suspect there are pubs and bottle shops in Canberra that have employed staff that will now need to be let go due to the reduced turnover in Barnaby’s absence.
🤣
What dickhead wrote that?
He’s quit so he needs to go asap
HE’S NO IDIOT,!!!! He’ll wait to pull the pin on a move,and he knows where ,now.Will cause a lot of collateral damage then.Guaranted.!!!!
I agree
He certainly left a mark in Canberra…..on the pavement.