COMMENT By MATT NICHOLLS
BARNABY Joyce admits he would like to spend more time in his electorate, but he must also be cut some slack by his constituents.
The residents of New England must realise quickly that Mr Joyce is now one of the most influential people in the country and will be often called upon for higher duties.
Love him or hate him – and let’s be honest there is no middle ground with Barnaby – the fact remains is that senior ministers don’t get to spend as much time in their electorate.
It should also be noted that the large majority of ministers come from metropolitan seats, normally about one per cent the size of New England.
There is no doubt Mr Joyce needs to make better use of his time when he is in the electorate, but it should also be noted that he is a first-year MP.
As a Queensland-based Senator, Mr Joyce had no constituents, could travel around the state as he pleased and was answerable to no particular community.
It is very rare, in fact it would almost certainly be a first in the last 100 years, for a first-year MP to be given a senior ministerial position, as well as the responsibility of being deputy leader of a party.
And if rumblings from the Nationals are to be believed, it won’t be long until he’s the leader of the party and the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia.
It’s a big change from our previous federal MP Tony Windsor, who answered only to his constituents.
Mr Joyce is seven months into a three-year term. He deserves time to settle into his positions and patience from the community.
