In light of recent letters concerning the actions (or inaction) of New England MP Barnaby Joyce on the Shenhua mine, I think it is worth refreshing readers’ memories of the sales pitch that Mr Joyce made to the electorate in 2013.
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As I’m sure many others will recall from his campaign speeches, Mr Joyce made much of the fact that he would be sitting at “the big table” in the likely event of winning government.
Mr Joyce painted a vivid picture of how he would be sitting “just across” from the prime minister alongside other members of the Cabinet, and that this was a wonderful opportunity for New England voters to be represented by somebody in a position to influence important decisions on our behalf.
However, when the first real test of those powers comes into view with the Shenhua mine, Mr Joyce’s protests are revealed to be so much hot air.
Nor am I so generous as Don Hubbard (NDL letters, July 24) to award points to Mr Joyce for merely “sticking his hand up”.
New Englanders voted for a .inister, not a protester.
I think many New England voters sincerely believed Mr Joyce’s pitch. Perhaps even he himself believed it, but it is clear now that his view was mistaken.
The question now is, why should New England growers and graziers accept further excuses and bluster from Mr Joyce as payment for the trust they placed in him?
Mercurius Goldstein
Glen Innes
