By Situation Theatre 24/4/2019
Barnaby Joyce’s reputation as an international statesman has also taken a blow after getting stuck in an infinite yelling loop during a Radio National interview.
What a shame. After spending six years diligently working with the utmost integrity towards a better future for all Australians, the Federal Government has gone and stuffed it up with a last-minute brain explosion with #Watergate.
Sure, there was the 478 ways Tony Abbott attacked his own country in just two years as Prime Minister, the 120 things the Liberals have done to degrade and dehumanise refugees, the 123 things they’ve done to destroy the environment, the rotating Prime Ministers, rolling resignations and ongoing scandals which make the previous NSW Labor government look like a masterclass in sound management.
But setting those aside, the overarching narrative has certainly been one of unity, stability, and delivering on a coherent social, environmental, cultural and economic vision for Australia.
It’s also a real pity to see Barnaby Joyce’s status as Australia’s most dignified politician be re-evaluated after he spent nearly half an hour shouting over the top of Patricia Karvelas.
Granted, Barnaby has come close to having his reputation tarnished when he lived rent-free in an Armidale townhouse with the woman he was having an affair and baby with, a woman who had been given a job by Nationals colleague Matt Canavan after they started their relationship. He also almost had his image sullied when he was accused of sexual assault by complainant Catharine Marriott, who then had her name leaked to the press and waited eight months for an inconclusive investigation, and when he ensured the Murray-Darling Basin Authority prioritised irrigators over the environment every step of the way when he was Agriculture Minister, and when he aggressively campaigns for new coal-fired power, the very cause of ever worsening droughts, floods, and bushfires in this country.
But then again, which Coalition MP hasn’t had a few minor indiscretions?
To see a good government lose its way at the last minute like this is a real tragedy.