New England, like many rural electorates, has a high number of people with poor mental health.
Barnaby Joyce runs a constant line of perpetual negativity. There is always something we should fear and hate according to his playbook; this constant focus on the bad affects people’s wellness.
A more positive thinking can be found in Stoicism, best described as focusing on what you can control and accepting what you cannot. The Joyce playbook is all about being constantly upset because all the things that are wrong well beyond your control.
His current hobby horse ‘No Net Zero’ is a good example. Ignoring the millions of dollars that has been pumped into rural communities from the renewable industry, the reality is that it is the current Government’s policy.
Any casual analyses of elections in Australia shows the ALP have 3 more years and most likely 6 in Government. So the No Net Zero call will continue in that period.
So New Englanders have to be perpetually pissed off for 6 years – because nothing will change while Joyce is in opposition.
If he goes to One Nation nothing will ever change as they are only a minor rump in Parliament.
Joyce has done some good things like the RIC but he counters with a truck load of crook things that don’t help New Englanders.
I knew Ian Sinclair and Tony Windsor well, both former members who worked positively getting changes.
Barnaby has become too self absorbed and forgotten his electorate.
He should resign now and let a new person represent New England.
Got something on your mind? Go on then, engage. Submit your opinion piece, letter to the editor, or Quick Word now.
Totally agree with Mal Peters!!!
He needs to resign immediately – he’s told the district he’s intentions
in his interview with ABC radio this morning, Barnaby said he has done so much for the electorate including road and rail? I can’t think any rail project he supported except the Inland Rail when in government. At least to be true to his word he should support the campain to reopen the rail line to Queensland. He has refused to do so far. Rail supporters will remember him for this gross neglect of duty.
Siri Gamage the rail line is a state govt problem. Start there.
Lily Hoffman true but arent two levels of government supposed to collaborate in nation building transport infrastructure with cross border implications?
Siri Gamage Qld rail and NSW rail are 2 separate issues. QLD Historical Rail run from Warwick to Ballendean. The Wallangarra rail line has been closed since the bushfires of 2023 because most of the line has been burnt out. The historical rail bridge between Tenterfield and Wallangarra is just about in the creek. It is a disgrace to NSW.
Lily Hoffman we need an alternative route, North – South. Federal government involvement is required as NSW and QLD are involved. The Inland rail does not serve the New England population centres and Joyce has been bloody useless!
Robert Harris the route changed to favour his property.
Any thing M Peters has to say should be taken with a grain of salt
I can’t imagine the adverse mental health of families who have just been told that their livelihoods and land values will be wrecked after being told with none or little notice , that their land is going to be forcibly acquired for the construction of massive electricity transmission towers. That can’t be ignored. Thank god Barnaby is advocating for them because not many others are.
Matt Lynch that situation is utterly shambolic
But I’d be upset if Barnaby were my advocate in any situation
Barnaby just makes stuff up and sprays it around like spit.
Matt Lynch How wonderful would it be to see him advocate for more mental health services in the bush!
Matt Lynch well said!
Matt, can we assume that these victims still want access to power, delivered via copper wires and poles over hundreds of kilometres, often across land owned by other people?
Well said Mal. Divisive politics only harms communities. Politicians who use it, do so for their own benefit only in my opinion. Positive change comes from positive engagement between all sides.
Michele Orman yeah like the voice and all the other stuff. If someone doesn’t oppose and support people who are against this stuff where will we end up.Th e digital ID and Digital currency will be next. Before you know it people will have zero freedoms.
Richard Cerveny thank you for so eloquently making my point for me. You and I don’t know each other from a bar of soap and yet, from 4 sentences on a Facebook post you have decided you know me and what I “want” (an incorrect assumption by the way). Not only that, you have decided I’m you enemy and deserving of a seemingly angrily toned response. Nothing is ever resolved if people choose to dig in to their positions without at least hearing each other out and trying to find solutions both sides can live with. Wouldn’t you agree?
Michele Orman you practice the art of double speak. You use words like “positive” to mean views you agree with. You mistake assertive language and confident self belief as an “angrily toned response”. No, that’s the art of political debate. We don’t have to all agree but from where I sit I will defend your right to express your view. All I ask is that the same courtesy is shown to the likes of Barnaby. Disagree by all means, and disagree with his views if you wish, but arguing against currently accepted policies is every bit as positive as defending them. Enjoy your day.
Richard Cerveny not arguing against his policies, just his delivery manner.
Michele Orman does he swear? Is he abusive? Does he threaten violence like Lidia Thorpe? What is wrong with his delivery manner? He has an important message he is trying to get across. What do you expect? Give me Barnaby’s “call a spade a spade” over Albanese’s double speak. But just my preference… in a democracy both have their place.
Richard Cerveny it was Joyce who backed in net zero
Lol. Barney can’t undermine Littleproud and the coalition has had a gutfull of him. Joyce and Coxhead scuttling off is a win win for the Nationals and New England.
Richard Cerveny Yeah & for once everything Joyce is saying is true
Michele Orman an d everyone lived happily ever after
Michele Orman i don’t think barnaby is he is trying to get the message through
Michele Orman no, pull your head in Mal. Barnaby is right.
Michele Orman All sides includes Greens, Teals, Independents. Not just the people on the gravy train.
Just go…. With some dignity pls.
Offer him back the leadership I’m sure that’s just the sweetener he needs to stay 🤔🤔🤔
Irene Currell it shouldn’t be…that’s a sad state of affairs if that’s the case
Barnaby is not advocating for them as he is against any development, inevitable or otherwise. All about himself. He needs to be in the tent so he can cut better deals for those affected
His retirement from politics would be a major blow to the satire industry.
On the other hand, it would be a nice change to be represented in Parliament by someone with their head in the 21st century….
Peter Szacsvay well get rid of the Labor Party.
Well, yes…. sadly, they can be too much like Liberal-lite these days, can’t they?
What a loss. One of the few who understands the country people. The government that is in an the moment has no idea outside the city. All the best Barnaby.
Les Kathy Tudor Yes he does understand the country people…what a kind response, Les…we certainly need more kindness….
That’s your opinion mal..some believe differently
Easy tigers, he gained 67% of the vote last election so is obviously popular among his constituents. More worryingly is, who will stand for the Nats in New England, and how much of his following will defect with him. New England is a strange and disaffected electorate with a vocal minority regularly using him for target practice and the silent majority appreciative of his straightforwardness. What I do know is we’ll be the losers.
Brian just like any party’s safe seat. A Nats drovers dog would hold the seat
Andrew Fenwick yes true,though a new face and in opposition,for the foreseeable future doesn’t augur well for us. Would Barnaby go Independent? or even with One Nation, would leave us like a dogs breakfast.
Oh ffs… bad for your mental health when someone disagrees with a destructive govt policy that is hurting the local residents?
I reckon energy prices, watching environmental vandalism by energy companies, having your land invaded and over run by ” energy infrastructure” and all the above thoroughlybignored by government state and federal… is hurting all our mental health far more than Barnaby
Nigel Forsyth exactly!
Be still my beating heart 💕
Ahhhhh people you have obviously never had to advocate for others in the electorate, help sort people’s issues, walked with those in crisis, find food for the hungry or shelter for those homeless, had to deal with the office of the Member for New England, had to help resolve immigration-related issues, etc., etc. if you HAD engaged in supporting community instead of looking just after yourselves you’d know that Barnaby Joyce and his staff are some of the most effective, kind, supportive, pro-active, honest and caring people at getting results for the people of this electorate – after all that is the primary role of your local member.
Head to some of the foisted-upon REZs and tell me that the people are happy with city-centric politics and outcomes! And there are hardly any people fighting for their rights and property/financial security.
Chris Halsted-Hietbrink agree with you – Barnaby has been the only politician that has articulated in parliament what is going on with the reckless roll out of “renewables” … he’s had the courage and conviction to speak openly and passionately.
Keep fighting the good fight Barnaby. Common sense energy and unity in our once great Country. There are not many of you left with a back bone.
Maureen Duck well said
I agree
Tanya Langdon sounds like that’s what you’ve been doing this morning
Rebecca Taiki awww did I hit a raw nerve lol
Tanya Langdon no, I’m genuinely worried about you x
Rebecca Taiki I’d be more worried about Barnaby’s blood pressure lol
A politician with conviction and sense of service for the constituents of New England.. Despite what left leaning media portray.. The silent majority will win when they are awoken and it’s starting now..
Michael Nolan yes and the progressives here, take their cheapies from others courageous decisons.
Michael Nolan not sure if the Federal election results support your thesis. If I remember right, Barnaby can barely break 50% of the vote in an electorate where Tony Windsor used to routinely win 60-70%. Some silent majority.
Bad luck. Keep sticking it into them Barnaby. The New England will be covered with grotesque turbines and solar cells within 2 years, destroying our farming communities and rural towns. All for intermittent power that only works sometimes.
I know who’s full of his own importance Mr Peters, and it’s not Barnaby 😡
Well, Little-proud isn’t exactly setting politics on fire with his leadership 🤔🤔
Lynette Joy Foody, you lost me at “left”. You wouldn’t know your left foot from your right elbow. And truth is an alien concept to you as well, stop watching SkyNews or you will end up as a Trump supporter.
Steve Coxhead Not the person; the terminology – trying to divide people into left and right. It is divisve language that we do not need.
Steve Coxhead, great example of “rightist tactics”, whenever a point of view not shared, it’s automatically “leftist and woke”.
Alisa Perks, when you don’t agree with them, you are automatically “leftist and woke”. No discussion…….no debate……no cognitive reasoning.
I too, agree.
That’s your best argument?
The Nats and Libs carry on with so much crap its about time they take a good look at themselves. You come into politics and think you know everything. Others have views also, so listen to them and dont demand from them that you are always right and then get the sh…. when they want their say too. To me you have become a minority party and will stay as one until you get decent leaders who show some guts and speak out for the people. Barnaby Joyce did that and you sent him to coventry, now he is deserting the party he stood and for thanks to you lot. I have been a Liberal / Country party voter for over 60 years and now my vote may change in the next elections
Keep up the good work Barnaby we need people who know what there doing .
Well said Mal. New England will always be backward part of the state if it doesn’t look forward.
People on the New England would vote for a monkey in a spacesuit if it was a National Party member, nothing will change and they wonder why they get nothing … ever
He holds this electorate with one of the largest majorities in the country. Of course those minority lefties hate him… he is one of the few individuals with the conviction to stand up for most Australians who want a representative to challenge irrational policies.
Richard Cerveny but he generates the irrational policies
David Vesey-Brown irrational to you maybe… that’s the problem with politics today. Can’t debate the facts, jumps straight to a dismissive conclusion. Modus operandi for leftists.
Nationals are almost invisible without Barnaby as leader love him or hate him he is regarded as one of the best retail politicians and as the minor party in the coalition that’s what they need. If he does leave the Nationals he should stand as an independent as that will unlock the shackles and it is all to do with the net zero policy hurting the farmers.
It would be fascinating to watch what happens if he did defect to PHON. I think PHON want him more than he wants them though. He is so much smarter and far more articulate than Ms Hanson, so the optics of them being together would be wonderful. I think he would find he would have far more power and possibly retain his seat for more election cycles if he stayed with the Nats or went Independent. I like RK Crosby’s suggestion that he may form his own party, but I think he has seen how that has worked for others in the past. He also has enough history in the big house to know PHON’s little jump in the polls will be short lived. I just cannot see how forming his own party or going with PHON will extend his shelf life as long as he wants it to. Would be interesting to be in the head of one of his fans at the moment, especially a fan who is a diehard Nat.
Michelle Grattan’s view on the matter:
https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-barnaby-joyce-is-doing-again-what-he-does-best-disrupting-267226?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawNiSYxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWTVlYdWlpRVZHRzN0VmVYAR5Vx3RO0SyEWA3A8LE7W9xabTyAqlcUWSXcm_YSoPxswGrX9qcxEUyYtJuSmg_aem_oUm0F_YvvBFWMAJjH8x6Dw#Echobox=1760906908
Doctors No.
Barnaby is your best asset, tells it like it is, no good putting lipstick on a pig.
Absolutely!
Agree, he thrives on divisive rhetoric.
Bruce Brideoake you mean he speaks for his constituents and has a differing opinion?
Spot on. All he has is fear and division
Graeme Singleton and truth
Is Barnaby talking negative rhetoric or just the facts of which people should be aware? Big difference, but it’s a bit sad if people today have such fragile mental health and cannot tell the difference.
Robyn Davies so why didn’t you say that instead of referring to mental health
One Nation, go for it mate , next prime minister!!!!
I take it the people who send a laugh are the queer left voting fools !!
Justin Amey wow.
Bigoted reply, nice.
But to answer, no, cannot see him being prime minister. Especially with an even more minor party than he is currently in.
Your comment was funny due to its unlikelihood.
Things are really bad for the economy and the Australian people. Why would he not be always thinking about the future and oppositions. What decision to make . There’s probably going to be a lot of people follow him to.
Barnaby Joyce is only saying what the majority of the New England thinks. That’s why he’s so popular here. He represents us.
Face. Reality Barnby. Has insight for the future
A drovers dog could stand for the Nats in NE and win the seat.
Is it negative rhetoric or just plain truth? I would like to hear a debate.
We need you Barnaby, take care
Divisive politics, I question who has created the “divide”? Give me a politician that is not afraid to call it as it is. We are all too cautious to do so for fear of being labelled, put into a pigeon hole. What had happened to respectful conversation and debate without risk of ridicule and persecution . We will miss Barnaby Joyce
Barnaby fights hard for his constituents. Keep up the good work
A depressive representative for a depressed town. It tracks!
Can’t believe why they kept voting for him 🙃🙃🙃
Are the nay-sayers like BJ on the payroll of lobbyists? Sometimes I wonder and is it better pay than the party’s direction
He’s done NOTHING for the electorate! I challenge his supporters to give me examples and don’t talk about Bolivia as that was negotiated by Tony Windsor and budgeted by the Labor government!
Mal is obviously not listening to the people of New England. They vote for Barnaby because he is helping us, not because he lies about things just to get into parliament.
He is passing on what the Aussie people think about our government !!!!!
No. Labor affects people’s mental health!!!
He did a lot of stuttering and avoiding questions on the Sunrise show today. His face got redder as it went along. Hiding something. Just retire Barney
Really!
Your basically saying that the Member for New England should just agree with the Government of the day and not do his job of being in opposition or even hold the Government he is part of ro account
Time to resign.
Mal Peter’s continues to be irrelevant – again.
In reality, the Nats have lost there way and no longer bat for regional Australia. BJ has certainly been influential in how things have panned out.
It is time for more independent regional representatives in both houses of parliament, minor parties and individuals who are not extreme; just listening and helping things to improve.
Mal is right and Barnaby needs help too.
He’s one of the few politicians with his feet firmly in the ground. If you want a woke wimp as a politician by all means … vote for the socialists ….but don’t complain when they do nothing. Barnaby has always been one to say it as it is. He’s not scared to take on the DEI laborlite so called leaders.
Your contributors alarming byline – “Joyce Fear and Hate Corrosive for New England” is rather offensive as is his following implication that Barnaby Joyce is also somehow responsible for division? Fear, hate, corrosive, and divisive? Rather strong accusations against a loyal Australian, isn’t it? This, is about as helpful as the rest of his diatribe against a decent Australian attempting to stop the lunacy being perpetuated by Labor, to vandalize the beautiful New England Region? Further items of wisdom such as this – “New England, like many rural electorates, has a high number of people with poor mental health – Barnaby Joyce runs a constant line of perpetual negativity – There is always something we should fear and hate according to his playbook; this constant focus on the bad affects people’s wellness”. Really?
Perhaps Mr Joyce has good reason, by attempting to expose the folly of the uncosted “renewables, and Net Zero” that is bankrupting the country. Perhaps this is the reason for the insinuation, that Barnaby Joyce alone, is somehow responsible for mental health problem. There are many more people than not in the New England, who are against this desecration and economic madness, so are they in perpetual negativity? I note that your contributor has extensive rural interests, 13,000 acres of prime agricultural land no less, conveniently, and remotely removed from the vandalism, so should not be troubled by rising power prices, or being put upon with massive wind turbines and solar panels desecrating his prized farmland? So, that’s okay then?
Your contributors claim that Barnaby Joyce is ignoring the benefit of the borrowed millions being pumped into rural communities from the “renewables” industry, and further suggests that it is a fait accompli, since Labor has 3 more years and probably 6, to see this travesty through. I question the millions being pumped into the community? The receipt of these millions by rural communities, are a fanciful gesture of exaggeration, just like every other of Labor’s outlandish claims. The only beneficiaries of this vandalism will be local earthmovers and concrete and steel suppliers based in major cities. These borrowed millions will not benefit small rural towns- they will be sent overseas and will only benefit China, who supply the turbines and solar panels. Your correspondent hasn’t considered that China also sells us the rope with which we will hang ourselves.
Fortunately, Mr Joyce has evidently had enough of the vandalism and wasteful spending of borrowed overseas money, as have most of the outraged New England residents. Perhaps instead of “corrosively instilling fear and hate” as your contributor suggests, Barnaby might have the courage, by raising community hopes, that his former party so clearly lacks, into taking a stand against the criminal, economic waste and vandalism of our landscape. Mr Joyce might even start a new party, who knows, but at the very least, he demonstrates some principle and doesn’t exhibit a double standard and sell out his farm to a coal company like your highly praised friend, the Labor supporting, anti-coal, previous holder of the seat of New England.
What he says about net zero etc is spot on. The government is full of thieves
Divisive and polarising politics is toxic, lazy and socially destructive.
Those who weaponise or engage in it at all, have no business being in Parliament, nor any level of govt. It damages democracy too.
No one seems to notice or mention how thick both Barney and Pauline are with the wannabe oligarch Gina Reinhart. I used to be a Nationals voter but it occurred to me that things just kept getting harder and harder in the bush under the coalition. My feeling is that since Tim Fischer there hasn’t been a National party member that hasn’t been more interested in their own self interest, mining industry portfolios and looking after their mate’s in big end of town than anything else. Joyce has proven that supposed conservative fsmily values image is a facade, and it’s no wonder they’re starting to latch onto the divisive politics tactic to distract from that reality.
Barnaby is correct! L N P has got to come out and support Net Zero plus immigration
Mal Peters should take a good look at himself before making those comments.
Stay there Barnaby help pull the party together. We don’t need more independents and labour.
Barnaby had the highest vote count of any politician that i have ever seen,and the nationals have had him in the back bench. A great talent wasted ,about time the nats got behind him.He would be a great asset for the one nation party.Pauline has been treated the same way. Wake up Australia
Rubbish
Fully agree. Let us hope our new Representative focuses on positivity and collaboration
Very true. He is a complete waste of space
Mal Peter’s can go… leave ….
Suzanne Martin they have been power for more time than every else with senate majority nothing to stop them but just filled their pockets
Too long on the public teat.
There is a saying about the old Country Party and he is one and it is way past time he is taken out.
Mal Peter’s is no good for New England. But thanks for your opinion.
Are the candidates in New England devoid of serious contenders to represent Australia? We aren’t interested in barrels of pork we just want good governance that refuses to sell the country down the river, it shouldn’t be that hard.
He doesn’t have the will or the ability to represent us as we transition to renewables. He’s actually a road bump and trip hazard
To me that sounds like absolute rot. If that affects your mental health perhaps therapy is needed.
Comments on this post have been locked due to the high level of abuse.
Johnny Race former Mayor of Inverell and President of NSW Farmers – as it says on the article. And anyone’s opinion can go on Engage (as long as it isn’t offensive)