Category: Barnaby Joyce

Australian Liberal Leader Announces Shadow Frontbench With 6 Nationals, 10 Women

Australian Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has announced the coalition’s frontbench after its defeat at the May 21 election—a team of 24 that includes 10 women. Nationals Leader David Littleproud also boasts six members of his party on the frontbench. Dutton, who was unopposed as leader in his party room last week to replace outgoing prime…


Australian Taxpayers Will Be Paying for 2050 Net-Zero Target: Former Opposition Leader Barnaby Joyce

Former Nationals party leader Barnaby Joyce has warned about the far-reaching consequences of the net-zero agenda, saying it could rewire the economy and drive up taxes. The comment was made after newly elected Nationals leader David Littleproud, who came from the moderate faction, pushed for a generational change in the conservative party by making achieving…


Australian Labor Party Forms Majority Government, Announces Ministry

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced his new ministry after the Australian Labor Party secured 77 seats in the lower house, giving the party one more seat than required to form a majority government. The new ministry will see 30 ALP members of parliament form the new frontbench with interim ministers Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Foreign…


Pay Rates in Renewables Sector Don’t Match Mining Industry: Nationals MP

Outgoing Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has warned that asking Australians to switch from jobs in the mining sector for positions in the renewable energy sector will not be that simple because, financially, the transition may not stack up. Joyce, who lost the leadership of the regional party to David Littleproud on May 30, also called…


Australian Nationals Split on Net-Zero Commitment

Net-zero and leadership will be two issues discussed by the Nationals party room on the weekend after the regional party successfully withstood the electoral onslaught on May 21 that saw its Coalition partner, the Liberal Party, lose 19 seats. After every election, the Nationals hold a party room meeting to decide their future policy platform…


Earn Trust and Friendship of Pacific Neighbours Through Climate Change Policy: Australian Labor Party

Australia needs to be a credible partner on climate change to rebuild its relationship with Pacific neighbours, including the Solomon Islands, the centre-left opposition spokesperson for Treasury Jim Chalmers said. Chalmers listed climate change, foreign aid responsibilities, and defence investment management as important factors Australia needs to work on to “earn” the trust and friendship…


Health and Welfare Rely on New Mines for Funding: Australian Deputy PM

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has reminded voters not to forget where funding for health and welfare comes from when they drop their votes on the ballot box on May 21. Whichever party wins the upcoming federal election can determine the prospect of at least three coal mines in Queensland. Election campaigns in many…


New Rail Network to Slash $200 Million in Transport Costs for Australian Businesses

Australian businesses could save over $200 million (US$144 million) in freight costs each year if they switch to the under-construction Inland Rail once it is completed, new research has found. According to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) modelling, the 1,700 kilometre Inland Rail network would drive down the cost of transporting 22…


Australian State Announces $1 Billion Recovery Package for Businesses

The New South Wales (NSW) government has unveiled a $1 billion (US$702 million) support package for businesses hit hard by the Omicron outbreak as the new wave continues to dent consumer confidence and the labour force. On Sunday, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the government had the back of every business and worker in the…


Australian Opposition Leader Puts Onus of RAT Supply Issue on PM

Australian Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has blamed Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the federal government for the supply shortage of rapid antigen tests (RAT). It comes after the federal government placed an order for over $60 million RATs to five tenders, each under the condition of “extreme urgency or events unforeseen.” “How is it we have…