4 years ago
PRIME MINISTER MUST ACT ON DROUGHT ENVOY DEBACLE
THE HON JOEL FITZGIBBON MP
The Prime Minister must clarify what he hoped to achieve by appointing Barnaby Joyce to the newly-created position of Drought Envoy.
As each day passes it becomes more apparent that the positon of Drought Envoy was created as another excuse to not do any more to help drought-affected farmers and farming communities.
It was further revealed today that Barnaby Joyce did little work, despite the heavy financial cost to taxpayers.
Thanks to a letter to the Senate President from the Drought Minister, we also know that Barnaby Joyce delivered no substantial report to the Government.
Barnaby Joyce says his job was to report to the Prime Minister, not Minister Littleproud. But the Order of Production of Documents was directed to the Prime Minister and David Littleproud was responding on behalf of the Prime Minister as the Head of Government
Barnaby Joyce has had five different explanations for his failure to do his work properly. He has variously claimed:-
As each day passes it becomes more apparent that the positon of Drought Envoy was created as another excuse to not do any more to help drought-affected farmers and farming communities.
It was further revealed today that Barnaby Joyce did little work, despite the heavy financial cost to taxpayers.
Thanks to a letter to the Senate President from the Drought Minister, we also know that Barnaby Joyce delivered no substantial report to the Government.
Barnaby Joyce says his job was to report to the Prime Minister, not Minister Littleproud. But the Order of Production of Documents was directed to the Prime Minister and David Littleproud was responding on behalf of the Prime Minister as the Head of Government
Barnaby Joyce has had five different explanations for his failure to do his work properly. He has variously claimed:-
- He was unsure he needed to deliver a report
- He did report
- He didn’t report because he was sacked
- He reported multiple times
- He sent text messages
The claims can’t all be right and the Prime Minister can clarify the matter by releasing any documents Barnaby Joyce submitted.
Scott Morrison must also immediately release the report of Drought Coordinator, Major General Stephen Day. When asked in an interview with 2GB yesterday why the report can’t be released, Barnaby Joyce said, “I can’t speak for the Prime Minister,” and “I’ve been in politics longer than the Prime Minister.”
Our farmers have long been Scott Morrison’s forgotten people. But it now seems they have also been the victims of a Government plan to avoid investing in any further drought assistance.
Scott Morrison must also immediately release the report of Drought Coordinator, Major General Stephen Day. When asked in an interview with 2GB yesterday why the report can’t be released, Barnaby Joyce said, “I can’t speak for the Prime Minister,” and “I’ve been in politics longer than the Prime Minister.”
Our farmers have long been Scott Morrison’s forgotten people. But it now seems they have also been the victims of a Government plan to avoid investing in any further drought assistance.