Barnaby, the bust and the blunder
THURSDAY, MAY 19: Greens left red-faced after almost derailing their own protest
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A Greens protest outside incumbent New England MP Barnaby Joyce's office in Armidale was nearly derailed this morning by an insider.
Today, the Armidale Express reported a 350.org media contact had distributed an alert about a giant papier mache bust set up outside Mr Joyce's electorate office.
The bust aimed to attract passers-by to the demonstration and sported an anti-coal mining slogan.
Unfortunately, the media liaison released the incorrect office address, sending local photographers and journalists scuttling to Tamworth.
Meanwhile, the demonstration was in full swing in the Beardy Street Mall in Armidale.
See tomorrow's Armidale Express for a luckily captured shot of the bungled protest, captured by journalist Meg Francis.
Windsor re-enters the fray: Recapping the election story
Arguably, the fight to win the seat of New England in 2016 began when former Member for New England, turned Independent candidate, Tony Windsor announced he would return to politics in Canberra:
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9: Windsor calls press conference in Canberra
The decision threw the New England political sphere into a frenzy, as political rivals clashed. After circling in media reports and the opinion pages for months, as Windsor stayed tight-lipped on his return, the word was out, but it wasn't smooth sailing for all.
As Windsor's confirmation to run circulated from Canberra, his election opponents weighed in.
Windsor's successor, and incumbent New England MP, Barnaby Joyce lambasted his opponent for the months of uncertainty.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9: Barnaby fires back in Tamworth doorstop
There's one thing I think he should've been straighter with the people from the start. I think this whole idea of I'm halfway there, I’m making up my mind, I can't quite get there, I will go on a holiday to Tasmania and come back and talk to you about it, I will run it past my wife, I'm almost there
- Member for New England, and Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce
The sentiment was shared by former Windsor ally Rob Taber, who said he felt betrayed by the decision.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9: Taber claims Windsor went back on his word, preference deal sours
Shortly after Windsor's decision broke, the Armidale Express reported Taber said he refused a preference deal with Windsor, saying a “true independent should allow the voter to make up their own mind”.
I was very surprised when Tony asked me for preferences, because as an independent he had never done preference deals,
- Independent Rob Taber
Amid the announcement shuffle, Greens candidate Mercurius Goldstein was facing a different fight, dousing rumours he would be pushed aside in the election run.
As the tussle subsided, the New England, now a political hot spot, waited for the election call, which arrived on March 21 when the Sydeny Morning Herald reported Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had "called the senates bluff" and set a date for July 2.