Shadow Minister Barnaby Joyce, sublime or ridiculous?

Molly says:

11:47am | 08/12/09

I love Barnaby great stuff. They’re going to make Rudd look like a wet piece of tissue paper. Look out Kevin you have some opposition coming your way.

acker says:

12:07pm | 08/12/09

Barnaby put a huge Nuclear and Solar power station on Cubbie station and use it to power SE Queensland / Nthn NSW and to pump water via pipes past the evaporation wasteland of the Menindee Lakes NSW into the Lower Darling and Murray river systems.

Fleeced says:

11:52am | 08/12/09

Some nice changes to the front bench.  Nice to see Barnaby rewarded, even if I don’t always agree with him (I’m behind him 100% on the climate change nonsense though)

Simon says:

11:56am | 08/12/09

Before the ETS becoming such a spotlight leadership issue I recall Barnaby in the senate prosecuting the levels of debt to the Government quite hard. I think the accountant from St George will do fine.

Islander says:

12:00pm | 08/12/09

Dont get too excited folks - Barny will go up against Lindsay Tanner - labor’s smartest and their best QT performer.

He will make mince meat of Barny

Jacquie Butterfield says:

01:03pm | 08/12/09

Perfect!  Finance for Barnaby.  Number crunching is a safer bet for the Old Conservatives.  This posting will mitigate the very likely Foot-In-Mouth risk.

Delia says:

12:01pm | 08/12/09

This is all so funny, the opposition now couldn’t be any more different to Rudd Labor if they tried. I think it just might work for them. Barnaby, great choice.

Angry Voter says:

12:03pm | 08/12/09

Mr Abbott said his new line-up was a campaigning team who would give the Government the “fright of its life”.

Not to mention 3/4s or more of us ordinary folk,  Sir.

Judie says:

12:04pm | 08/12/09

Gee these guys are going to make Kevins “fair suck of the sauce bottle” look a bit lame. lol

William says:

12:05pm | 08/12/09

He has worked in a large multinational and finance. Has a degree in commerce. And just happens to have a sharp tongue. Sounds like a great choice.

Super D says:

12:08pm | 08/12/09

Given that he doesn’t believe in man made climate change he’s smarter than most of our pollies.

Luke says:

12:08pm | 08/12/09

Fair dinkum aussies at the helm in the Liberal Party, about time. Your not going to know whats hit you Kev, better take the glasses off mate.

Mick says:

01:08pm | 08/12/09

I once did a hard-hitting yarn about the now Opposition Leader and now senior Seniors Minister singing a duet at a charity function. The song - Top Hat, White Tie and Tails. The now Opposition Leader was indeed wearing a top hat and tails. I now what he was doing - he was preparing to lead the circus. This is bad for Australia, great for people who follow politics as it is entertainment.

Alicia says:

01:22pm | 08/12/09

Tony would look quite hot in a top hat and tails I think.

Marilyn Shepherd says:

12:14pm | 08/12/09

Good grief.  He was going to stop the sale of Telstra and then caved in and got nothing at all for his cave in.  And line rentals trebled.

Some accountancy.

And saying Bronnie (kerosene baths) Bishop is old so she had handle old people - what a hoot.

Dragging Ruddock out of his coffin?  It seems like no-one else wanted a job with Abbott.

DocBud says:

12:16pm | 08/12/09

Hopefully Barnaby will come and stand in Dawson and we can be rid of this clown:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/global-crisis-an-act-of-god-bidgood/story-0-1111118223572

Tom says:

12:19pm | 08/12/09

Barnaby will be in the Senate, though, while Tanner’s in the House, so their only debate will be in the public arena and not in the Parliament. QT’s irrelevant because Tanner’s would only be answering questions from some parl sec or assistant spokesperson. Not a fair comparison…

DT says:

12:20pm | 08/12/09

They are the OPPOSITION, I trust that the media now let’s them perform that role as the Westminster system intended and turns the focus onto the real decision makers, GOVERNMENT.

Anna Lambton says:

12:23pm | 08/12/09

Kevin I think you should cancel your Copenhagen holiday and stay home because the boys back home are loading their guns and all the bullets are coming your way.

hurtle says:

12:25pm | 08/12/09

Instead of the prospect for a decent policy debate from the opposition, we all got Dad’s Army! This is going to be great! As a good start to the upcoming election year, I propose we all go take a cold ‘Kero’ bath, and throw our children overboard.

What a bunch of nuts! says:

12:25pm | 08/12/09

Barnaby shouts and screams but who is really listening. Can someone tell me what this genius has achieved in all the years in Parliament. Nutcases galore. The Liberal party has brought back Bronwyn Bishop (Kerosene bath scandal), Kevin Andrews (Haneef scandal) and really Abott…. the man who had a go at a dying man!!! and now claims that he should be forgiven for all past sins.  Then you have the religious nuts like Bernardi urging the group that said that Black Saturday was gods vengence to lobby against Turnbull. Add a sprinkling of spineless warrior Hockey to the mix and you have a real oddball oppositon that is more about extremes than anything else.

Sherlock says:

01:28pm | 08/12/09

Almost single handedly bring down what was supposed to be the showpiece legislation of the Rudd government’s first term.

Whilst the leaders of the Libs were prepared to sell their souls to avoid an election, it was Barnaby who was the conservative voice of reason that picked apart the ETS and saved all Australians from a tax on everything that was designed to fill the government coffers as it would have done absolutely nothing to mitigate any effects of climate change.

In a single week we saw the ALP’s crowning glory go from being a certainty to be enacted to lying in a screaming heap with no chance of ever getting through parliament even if the government is stupid enough to try again.

Yeah he comes out with some good one’s occasionally but no matter how long he spends in parliament he’ll be able to look back at that one moment and say “I did good”.

I’m one Australian that’s extremely happy to say “Thank you Barnaby”.

Jacquie Butterfield says:

12:27pm | 08/12/09

WITHOUT READING MORE THAN HEADLINE…...BARNABY RUDGE IS RIDICULOUS.  Farmers will need more substantial representation that he is capable of.

Bertrand says:

01:04pm | 08/12/09

Its hilarious that everyone is up in arms about Tony Abbott saying he doesn’t think that over the counter abortion pills are a good idea, while still supporting the idea of free access to abortions, and yet they have a Labor MP saying that the GFC is god’s revenge on the unbelievers and no one says a thing.

Anti bigot says:

01:04pm | 08/12/09

Hey barb, admit it you are really Pauline Hansen aren’t you.  It’s people like you that make even a fool like dear old Barnaby look almost as if they could tie their shoes.

Randal says:

01:04pm | 08/12/09

Nice work Islander, I mean the fact that Joyce is in the Senate and Tanner in the House of Reps should make it very intersting to watch the QT master, Tanner, tackle Barnaby from another room.

If you have $5, why not go out and buy a clue!

Peter says:

01:12pm | 08/12/09

‘Cause, y’know, you normally associate the words “fiscal rectitude” and “efficient administration” with the National Party, don’t you?

Peter Walsh would be spinning in his grave, if he weren’t dead.

BigKev says:

01:09pm | 08/12/09

Oh look a moby

Barb that is so old hat.

Jacquie Butterfield says:

01:13pm | 08/12/09

Great, Randal.

Tom says:

01:20pm | 08/12/09

apology accepted

GeeJay says:

01:26pm | 08/12/09

Barb dear—- You need help!

Barb says:

01:26pm | 08/12/09

Your reply was witty, but hurtful. Time for you to go back to sensitivity training.

But seriously, if it’s wrong to love Australia’s people, history, strength, religion, sport, culture and traditions - then I don’t wanna be right.

We real Australian’s will never bow down to the progressives and their Maoist instincts.

Carl Palmer says:

01:27pm | 08/12/09

Jeff Thompson once said that if he didn’t know where the ball was going to land what hope did the batsman have. Labour will have no idea and will find it difficult to counterpunch Barnaby.

I also think it’s a bit rich to attack Barnaby when on the other side of the chamber you have Anthony Albanese. He couldn’t compile a coherent sentence nor read it. Mr Albanese’s performance was embarrassing and what’s more his front bench colleagues were laughing. If that’s the standard, then Barnaby has nothing to worry about.

Patricia Kippin says:

01:51pm | 08/12/09

C’mon Rudd, debate Abbott you weakling. If not Abbott how about taking on Barnaby?

DJ says:

01:54pm | 08/12/09

Hardly

AJ says:

02:07pm | 08/12/09

I’m fairly sure that Barb got her ‘85% of Australians hate multiculturalism’ from the ABS.

Absolute
Bull
Shit

And I wonder if she’s ever had a pizza, souvlaki, kebab, laksa or stirfry.  And if she has, the hypocrisy is staggering.  And if she hasn’t, wow, is she missing out…

Sherlock says:

02:16pm | 08/12/09

Rudd’s not going to debate Abbott. It would only give the opposition leader a platform and increased credibility. After Rudd became the ALP leader he challenged Howard to a debate on just about everything for exactly the same reason.

Howard wasn’t dumb enough to fall for it and neither is Rudd.

Informed says:

02:23pm | 08/12/09

It wasn’t a debate on Climate Change, it was a debate on Policy… i.e. what action we should take
Feel free to keep making a fool of yourself

MM says:

02:51pm | 08/12/09

Marilyn you are one in a million.. I love everything you right. Been following you for years.

I could tell you a few stories about Villawood…......

Keep up the good work. Let’s hope these jokers never get in again. They killed Australias good rep. Lets get it back.

mid says:

03:12pm | 08/12/09

And you were going so well, right up to the “commisar” bit. Makes it really difficult to take someone seriously when they roll out that kind of name-calling.

Troy says:

03:12pm | 08/12/09

You may be suprised Drew, Rudd is really on the nose, and Barnaby while not the most polished, does relate well to voters. AFTER THE RUDD, I dont mind looking to the past, under Howard this country thrived, with budget surplus after budget surplus. I for one will be voting to go back to what this country was like before Rudd.

Mickey Maoist says:

03:13pm | 08/12/09

Its getting funnier by the hour.  The only thing funnier than Tony bAbbotts recently unveiled front bench is the recently unveiled Christina Kinnealy front bench in NSW.

Troy says:

03:23pm | 08/12/09

Hear, Hear. I also say thank you Barnaby. You saved (mostly Labor Voters) from a tax that can never be removed by future Governments. No matter what, Rudd was not given a mandate in the last election for a decision of that magnatude. Lets see him, if he is so sure of himself go to another election with his ETS tax out on the table. Then we will see if he gets a Mandate. John Howard did with the GST and he was voted back in and got his Mandate, less see if Rudd has the same b*lls.

Bushie of Tasmania says:

03:44pm | 08/12/09

Terry, you must be a Canberra sheltered workshop taxpayer funded labor type.
The prose , although not elegant would put you in the intellectual top 1/3 of those that vote for Krudd. You need to improve on your cliches and mantras, but definately Latham material.

Digby Jones says:

04:18pm | 08/12/09

Onya Barnaby!
Not so funny now, is it?

The ETS is a tax on breathing.

Rob says:

04:19pm | 08/12/09

OMG-Tony has resurrected the dinosaurs. Well on the plus side there will be a definite line of embarkation bewteen the now Old Libs and the Government.
The old Libs who either believe that polluting planet earth is good for us- they LOVE breathing the stuff or if there is a problem with climate change -something should be done about it as long as its not them who pay for it- the old Libs who really cannot remember which position they have on climate change-the one they took to the 2007 or the one they had in early November or the ?? one they have now.
The old Libs who think everyone should have their pay cut and their working hours increased but not them. The old Libs who want to use services Government provides as long as someone else pays for it. The old LIbs who were so willing to go to war in Irag-as long as it was not them who died. The old Libs who still think Australia should not be the multi cultural country it has become. The old Libs who still believe in an unregulated market economy while financial engineers bleed us dry.
The old Libs who lost so many of their supporters because of ther extremism. The old Libs we thought we got rid of in 2007 are BACK-but hopefully never in government.

Michael Cejnar says:

04:23pm | 08/12/09

More power to Barnaby. Rudd has not done one thing since coming to power apart from spending, using canned answers for all questions and growing his ego. He just has to be exposed as the emperor with no clothes that he is. All Barnaby has to do is state what Rudd is actually doing / not doing and the electorate will do the rest.

Bruce says:

04:45pm | 08/12/09

Agree Kelley, I know that speak ! !  It does not wash, and thinly failed. However, the covering response is “of course” I am being clever !

Scott says:

04:45pm | 08/12/09

Labor has “more dogs tied up around town than Bernie Madoff”. Okay that needs some sort of award.

Gina Cooper says:

04:48pm | 08/12/09

Love ya Barnaby and love ya Tony, go get this show pony. You to Brony! and Andrew and Philip I couldn’t careless who, just show the egomaniac Rudd for what he is. Off your throne Kevy the throne belongs to Tony.

Pablo says:

04:50pm | 08/12/09

Their back!!  The same team that brought us WMDs, children overboard, Haneef, work choice,  and many many others, Only this time they are asking us to trust them over the future of the whole planet, because, of course, they know best.
Is it really happening or have I woken from a bad dream?

Janice K says:

05:11pm | 08/12/09

No it’s happening Pablo isn’t it the best news you’ve heard in two years. YIPPEE.! This arogant little show pony needs to be exposed and scrutinised for what he is. The “unloseable” election is looking more like a very loseable election and I’m sure Little Kev is sitting in the Lodge and worried for the first time in two years. The DREAM maybe over Kev sooner than you expected.

conventional wisdom is generally right says:

05:14pm | 08/12/09

there are no 2nd order effects in politics. People’s gut feel about politicians is actually generally pretty accurate. Beazley was weak. Latham was mad. Howard was past it. And Barnaby is indeed certifiable. This one won’t even be close, no matter how hard Dennis Shanahan tries to spin it. Labor will win over 100 seats in a canter.

D'oh says:

05:23pm | 08/12/09

@ Pablo:  No, you just realised that Rudd has produced more lies on 2 years that the 12 years of Howard’s government.

Now, go back to your corner like a good Union lap dog and keep reading the Mao’s book

Leticia says:

05:27pm | 08/12/09

Kevin it looks like it might be time to come home and do some work, the holiday is over mate.

Glen says:

05:30pm | 08/12/09

Terry:  you have some problems constructing intelligible sentences, I’m sure you could get some help.  My two year old son is available to tutor his sentences make better reading and actually mean someting.

Stephen: you have obviously read widely and have a rigorous, critical analytical mind, pity you became stumped and stunted when you grduated to reading Dr Zeus.

If either of you have noting of value to add then don’t waste space or our time which is clearly more valuable than your time.

Terry Wright says:

05:48pm | 08/12/09

@Darren (04:39pm ) - Neither.
@Simon (04:43pm ) - Nuh. Didn’t read it.
@Bushie of Tasmania ( 04:44pm) - Wrong and wrong - I didn’t vote for Rudd.
@Jane ( 04:52pm | 08/12/09):
“Settle “Terry’ you’ve gone quite maniacal….and OTT.
Your over-acted faux mirth belies an underlying terror that the ALP sideshow of deceit and smoke amd mirrors is almost over.
The obvious desperation there to ridicule is just a little too ....well, scary”
- You are joking, right? Have you read your own reply? LOL

You can say what you want but choosing Barnaby Joyce, Bronwyn Bishop, Kevin Andrews and Philip Ruddock to be key politicians in any party is as funny as it gets. As laughable as Conroy is for the ALP. Those that want these buffoons on the front bench are just seasoned supporters of the Liberal Party team and will barrack for them regardless of how the public perceive them. It probably explains all the bogan sporting chants like “Onya Brony!”

You would have to admit the federal Libs have had some real crackers over the last 10 years: Downer, Alston, Tuckey, B. Bishop, Ruddock, Mirrabella etc. As bad as the ALP’s state politicians: Rann, Atkinson, Iemma etc. .... oh and James Bidgood. And we can’t forget Fielding and Nile who are there for everyone to laugh at, both Libs and Labor. Face it, there is nothing more entertaining than hard right nutters especially the religious right ... Rudd included. Much more fun the left (unless far left of course).

And what’s with the “Onya’ Tony” comments? They’re politicians, not a netball team.
-“Love ya Barnaby and love ya Tony” 
-“Onya Barnaby! Not so funny now, is it?”
-“you sound terrified of the new front bench and so you should be”
-“You beauty can’t wait Kevin Andrews, Bronwyn, Barnaby and Ruddock a bloody bonzer team. Go Tony , can’t wait for the election give them BUGGARY.”
-“Fair dinkum aussies at the helm in the Liberal Party, about time. Your not going to know whats hit you Kev, better take the glasses off mate.”

Oh dear.

Peter says:

06:00pm | 08/12/09

Put down your Chardy and put away the King Island pate Kevin.

hellonathan says:

06:24pm | 08/12/09

The ETS as proposed by Rudd will be means tested. Which means more freebies for those who contribute nothing.

How many ways can you buy a vote Rudd?

Allan says:

06:29pm | 08/12/09

If you want to get an understanding of Tony Abbott, buy a copy of Battlelines and be prepared to be pleasantly supprised.
The change is already happening in that the media are already directed to the Govt for explanation of Govt policy by Abbott.
And I look forward to Barnaby taking a very close look at the Rudd Govts Stimulus package, especially the Gillard Memorial Hall projects.

Colleen says:

06:46pm | 08/12/09

Barnaby is a puppet that folds under pressure from his mates. He speaks out and when he does it is total garbage as he backs down.
He was the final vote to sell Telstra, he said he was against it and then voted for it.

Pauline says:

07:04pm | 08/12/09

Thank God for Barnaby….go Barnaby, go…you have been blessed with good old fashioned “common sense”...something sadly lacking in Rudd and Co….they have no brains, and apparently happy without them!

steve says:

07:08pm | 08/12/09

Judging from the bile and vitriol flowing from Mark Arbib’s media watch unit, I would say that the new OPPOSITION front bench is off to a great start. If the media would stop licking the boots of their beloved leader and ask some questions of them, that would also be a start too. Governments are held to account by oppositions and by the examination of a critical media but it seems that this government could get away with eating babies on toast. If you do not like what Abbot is doing then don’t vote for him, but I think that a lot of those barking here would never vote for him anyway, however they may be concerned that there are others in middle Australian that will. Time will tell

Jane says:

07:08pm | 08/12/09

Hey Pablo….you mean those WMD that Kevin Rudd was adament existed?
Kevin Rudd told the State Zionist Council: “Saddam Hussein possesses weapons of mass destruction… That is a matter of empirical fact.”
- On October 15, 2002
“A matter of empircal fact”!!!!!
Oops.
..you mean the kiddies overboard..the ones that their parents threatened to throw…and then defence saw them/photographed in the water? Easy to make the connection. Hard to imagine that illegal immigrants would make such threats to themselves or their own children…...unless, of course, we didn’t have the deliberate fire that killed 5 of their own…and the recent Oceanic Viking debacle that showed they were capable of anything to get their own way…oops again. Workchoices?...and how do you feel about Workchoices Lite then?......remembering that we reached the lowest unemployment rates under Workchoices for 34 years…and that Union membership actually FELL during this period. What exactly was the problem?

Try not to mindlessly spew Labor propaganda and lies Pab….Rudd has more ‘lies’ clocked up in 2 years than any perceived ‘lies’ of the whole Howard government dear. Dodgey comparison there.

Gibbot says:

07:09pm | 08/12/09

Now I know where Andrew Bolt’s rabble have gone. Hat tip to those above that are still willing to engage them. I’d like to, but I find the vitriol off-putting, and I have my hands full dealing with reality.

A week has not only seen a wing-nut ascend to the throne of opposition leader, but he has managed to scour his newly acquired ranks for the dullest and craziest minds of a generation - and handed them portfolios.

It happened twice, in fact. The only differences with NSW state is that Keneally’s mind is much more feeble and her beneficiaries are the very crooks that Rees tried to sweep out of government.

It’s been a huge week for nutters. Like a week of full moons.

Joseph says:

07:10pm | 08/12/09

Hey Barnaby= how much did household, personal and corporate debt rise during the 11 years of the Howard Government? What do you say about the debt driven economy of those years? What do you think of an economy which relied on ever rising asset prices funded by debt?  Seeing you are such a smart; honest. down to earth bloke don’t you reckon that was a teeny weeny bit ‘delusional”? Maybe you think its OK for China to own Australian resources but not for the Government to borrow from them to build the infrastructure the Howard Government neglected.
Maybe you are not such a fair dinkum bloke after all but merely a side kick to the coal industry. How much has Mr Palmer donated to the Nats?

mountcross says:

07:18pm | 08/12/09

Isnt it funny how all the Business people of Australia have commended the Rudd Govt overwhelmingly on the way they have handled the GFC and yet we get a buffoon like Joyce going on like someone stole $20 out of his pocket ! My guess is that the Australian people will soon dismiss Abbott , Joyce , Minchin and co as a mob of extreme right wing nutters. It was John Howard who said we must govern from the middle road - not extreme lefts and rights. The Rudd Govt is well on track to a resounding electoral victory in 2010 and after that the remanants of the Coalition will gather in a coffee shop and say “Wadda we do wrong?”

Daniel says:

07:46pm | 08/12/09

Barnaby Joyce a Minister? This is getting more pathetic by the day.

thatmosis says:

08:18pm | 08/12/09

No, the most pathetic thing today is the way in which this country is being run, did I say run, I meant sold off to the highest bidder by a Government who hasnt got a clue supported by brain dead individuals who have to be spoon fed each and every thought for the day by the KRudd spin doctors.Barnaby will stand up and be counted unlike the Labor sheep who havent got a mind of their own and sit silently nodding their heads at every word spoken by their fearless leader even if it is wrong, deceitful and so out of touch with reality that it actually touches and surpasses the realms of science fiction.

Brer Fox says:

08:26pm | 08/12/09

After reading all of the above blogs (Phew!), it really is great to see the renowned Oz sense of humour is alive and well. All of the Ruddites and Abbott-o-philes should take a bow for parading their predjudices in such an open and appealing manner.
Now if such humour could present itself in the New Year QT we might laugh with it instead of at it.

tig says:

08:54pm | 08/12/09

That’s what they said about the bye elections in Higgins and Bradfield last weekend, Mountcross, and guess who romped home.  I wouldn’t be too sure about 2010 being Labor’s year, not now Turncoat has gone.

christian says:

08:59pm | 08/12/09

God Save the Queen… because nothing can save the Shadow Ministry…

mountcross says:

09:54pm | 08/12/09

Tig @9.54 - they were two Blue Ribbon Liberal seats Tig - God help the Libs if they could not have retained those two !
When this Coalition rabble face Labor a different story will emerge.

Steve says:

10:01pm | 08/12/09

Tony has picked great shadow ministry, they are going to take it to Rudd, its going to be on one and all, lets see Rudd likes to have to answer questions without not giving an answer

Kevin Rennie says:

10:02pm | 08/12/09

It’s like putting an alcoholic in charge of the bar. The Country/National Party have always capitalised the profits and socialised the losses. Is the future under a Coalition govt to be a huge pork-barrel?

Joe says:

10:56pm | 08/12/09

Love your work Barnaby! Look forward to you taking the fight upto Swan.

Lisa says:

11:36pm | 08/12/09

i was too young (and too smart!)  to fall for the old stereotype of Labor parties being lazy with policy and loose with the money. Now I know better.
Sorry, Grandma, you were right all along.
But don’t tell me Barnaby is going to turn me on to the Nationals!?

SUELLEN says:

12:14am | 09/12/09

GRACIOUS.. MY FIRST TIME TUNING IN TO THIS SITE ...ALL THESE NASTY COMMENTS. CAN’T BELIEVE THE VITRIOL, THE FEAR , STUPIDITY AND THANK GOODNESS THE HUMOUR THAT IS AROUND.  I AM EXCITED LIKE SO MANY THAT AT LAST WE HAVE FIGHT ON OUR HANDS . WE MAY NOT WIN THIS TIME BUT AT LEAST IT IS GOING TO BE FUN TRYING. 

I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE MR PLASTIC (KEVVIE)  PARADE IN HIS SPEEDIOS AS WELL SO WE CAN SEE IF HE HAS THE GOODS.  MAYBE THROW IN SOME OF THE PASTY WHITE JOURNOS WHO SIT AROUND PULLING PEOPLE APART AND THINKING THEY KNOW IT ALL…FELL ON THEIR FACES WITH THE BY-ELECTIONS DIDN’T THEY AND ALSO THE GREAT UNIVERSITY LEFT WING KNOW IT ALLS.  WHAT A WASTE OF GOOD PAPER A LOT OF THEM ARE.  THEY MAY FIND OUT THAT TOO MUCH NASTINESS MAY HAVE EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE EFFECT ON THE AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC WHO HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED IN A FAIR GO.

THERE ARE STILL FEW LADIES AROUND WHO LIKE A HAIRY CHEST AND A GOOD BODY IN SPEEDOS AND SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF,  A LIFE SAFERS CAP AS WELL AS A GOOD BRAIN.  A LOT OF VOTES GOING HIS WAY IF YOU RUBBISH THAT TOO MUCH.  MUCH MORE PRODUCTIVE THAN A YELLOW HARD HAT ON AN EMPTY HEAD.  DON’T THEY KNOW WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE .  DAY AFTER DAY.

  I WOULD ALSO SUGGEST POOR JULIA LOOKS UP WHAT REVOLUTION MEANS…......I DON’T THINK IT RELATES TO SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
HAS ANYONE NOTICED THAT KEV IS NEVER HOME… UP IN THE AIR POLLUTING THE VERY THING HE IS TRYING TO SAVE US ALL FROM….... WHEN HE IS HE HAS DOOR STOPS EVERY SUNDAY ON THE CHURCH STEPS OR HE’S WITH THE LITTLE KIDS AT KINDERGARTEN FRIGHTENING THEM ABOUT THE END OF THE WORLD.

THE RUNNING IS OVER KEV .  LET THE GAMES BEGIN…..

TONY JONES IS GOING TO GET MORE THAN HE BARGAINED FOR AS WELL.  HE OFTEN LOOKS A BIASED IGNORANT FOOL BUT IT WAS GREAT TONIGHT.  EGG ON FACE TONY.. PRODUCE RUDD AND ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS AND ALSO GET ANOTHER SIDE OF THE STORY JUST FOR INTERESTS SAKE.  JUST TO BE FAIR…

GET IT INTO YOUR HEADS .THE GAME HAS CHANGED.  NO FEAR ABOUT THE PAST .....GET OVER IT SCARDY CATS… FACE A FEW TRUTHS ABOUT THE GREAT WHITE KNIGHT

WHY WOULD WE THROW AWAY THE KNOWLEDGE OUR GRAND PARENTS GIVE US SO WHY LEAVE OUT A FEW OLDER POLLIES.

AS FOR ABBOT HAVING NO CLIMATE POLICY THATS ALL B/SH AS WELL..  JUST WAIT YOU NON BELIEVERS.

Tony Cooper says:

06:16am | 09/12/09

Barnaby is one of greatest comic relief within parliment today (alongside Wilson Tuckey) but can he be taken seriously?
In opposition I would say YES, he can bring the government undone.
Unfortunately, in government he would have the same effect - bring his own government down. See, in government you need a fundamental set of acceptable behaviours - the world is watching!
Just imagine if you can - a meeting between Barnaby and Obama!

david says:

06:25am | 09/12/09

Under Barnaby, useless spending in the country is likely to go through the roof. If we think Labor spend hard, you haven’t seen the Nationals in charge of the cofferrs yet. They actually call themselves “socialists”

Tony Cooper says:

06:51am | 09/12/09

SUELLEN: you conjour up mental pictures that no man should ever be exposed to - KR in budgies ... 
Now I need a drink to get rid of it, and at only 07:50

ruth says:

07:25am | 09/12/09

this front bench offers comic relief, and that comes from a ‘climate change at human hands’ sceptic.  Nothing wrong with that, bit of humour, lighten those moments when we tire of Rudd’s ‘thoroughly thought out and carefully explained’ political style.

jill says:

08:35am | 09/12/09

Australia’s biggest dills Abbott and Joyce both Fiberals thank god. PM must be having a belly laugh as we are….

John of Perth says:

09:50am | 09/12/09

If this was not so funny I would cry.
Joyce is a clown with problem that he thinks he knows everything and yet he knows very little.
He remind me of those like Jessica Simpson,Pauline H.and Lech Walesa, every time they open their mouth amusing comedy comes out.
And Tony’s new front bench,what a joke with those people he plan to take us to 21 century.
No policy, no new ideas, no fire except for panic, fear,hate and empty slogans.
We can lough now but what is missing is Tampa or 9/11 and we are back with those fanatics in power.
This is what has happen in Germany during Hitler period, This is why Tony Abbott mention the Munich agreement, as he knows how to use history to his advantage, no matter how many people will die or suffer because of his and his followers fanaticism.
Those are very dark days ahead.
Only the true Liberals can stop those people before they unleash their madness in Australia.
Many will pay very high price if those people will come to power.

GazMan says:

10:16am | 09/12/09

I don’t believe in Heaven or Hell personally but I think I might stock up on air-coolers and summer-wear just to be on the safe-side. If this right-wing group of neo-conservatives win Government, there’ll be Hell on Earth for all Australians (except the mega-rich of course,. i’m sure they’ll still be best mates with their Coalitiont leaders AKA marianette puppets)..

Not an Abbott fan says:

10:39am | 09/12/09

I cannot understand why the glued on Lib voters are so happy with this new farce. It could be hysteria at what ashamble abbott is making in his backward steps. These are the people this country voted out, and he thinks he can win with them. He wants a debate but has no policies. Is that so he can drag it out in his usual ten minutes to say three words? Talks about a fight but has no gloves. This is not the way to encourage the swing voters. And all the vitriol being spewed here makes me believe the vote-no-one-but Libs are the scared one. Empty cans make the most rattle, and there is a lot of nothing being said here.

Paul Horn says:

11:48am | 09/12/09

Well said Barb! Looks like the lefty latte filth are quivering in their clown suits and sobbing into their wackacinos! Abbott is a straight speaker, Rudd nothing more than a conjurist! Does he ever say anything that makes sense rather then endless sound bite dribble? Barnabys quotations above have more political insight and truth than Krudds entire political repertoire.

Strange how Krudd goes wobbly at the knees at the thought of debating
Abbott. Perhaps he should leave the hard work to his chief Commissar - the redoubtable Gizzard! 

While decent Australians have nothing against Immigration what we do have is sheer revulsion for an Al Grassby style multi national European State and the perverted belief that no nations cultural system should predominate over any others. This is a recipe for essentially no culture and complete disaster.

I wish those multicultural apologists would spell out exactly what they mean by “multiculturism” (those damned “isms” get me riled every time)
as opposed to simply denigrating anyone who has the audacity to question their Orwellian Utopia!!

Josh says:

12:33pm | 09/12/09

Pity he’s clueless about climate change.

laurence reilly says:

02:23pm | 09/12/09

barney,anyone that betrays there ethnic and religious back ground, and joins the masons is not worth a pinch of salt

Tony Cooper says:

03:14pm | 09/12/09

A few of these front benchers are pretty old old old - question is : can they last through an election cycle?

JohnC says:

04:33pm | 09/12/09

oh shoot me now.  You do all realise we pay him to produce that sort of rubbish.  It’s not high school - it’s running the country.  Even the Opposition plays its part in running the country and he produces such drivel.  The Mad Monk has found his court jester

Honest says:

08:50am | 10/12/09

The one thing we can only hope for, is that he is better than Wayne Swan who is totally not a Treasurer!!!

Reality bites says:

11:44am | 10/12/09

“DocBud said :01:16pm | 08/12/09

Hopefully Barnaby will come and stand in Dawson and we can be rid of this clown:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/global-crisis-an-act-of-god-bidgood/story-0-1111118223572
“

READ THIS ARTICLE LINKED BY DocBud

This is very scary ... an elected member of parliament looking forward to the end of the world? How about those us who also live in this world and don’t believe in the tooth fairy?