By the way . Well done phoenix94. As a country bumpkin you are eligible to add to the serious but contentful humor of the day via http://thiselection.blogspot.com . Should you wish to apply !

Powerful stuff often looks strange when it arrives . The truth and where they take us with it is, I hope, the critical issue for some thinking people . The extent to which Barnarby and Tony lean on those who know (who are still wearing some clothes) will be the key . I trust they won't be going to the same dress shop as others who clearly rely on colour , movement and good intentions . See you at the next election htttp://thiselection.blogspot.com

Fair comment, Hanrahan.

I must admit, Barnaby does have a lot of magnetism about him and his PC-crusher attitude is very attractive to many everyday voters.

I guess he has the potential to change the direction of politics in this country somewhat so that there's more openness and honesty. That would be a good thing if it could happen.

A point I'd make is that he was doing perfectly well before the reshuffle. Why put him into the job as Shadow Minister for Finance where he'll be expected to do more than just be a stump politician, when it looks like he can't? It looks like a big gamble on Abbott's part. But then again, Abbott isn't the type to die wondering either.

Barnaby Joyce is a different sort of politician.
People made fun of him over mixing trillions and billions.
He cracked that now with a Labour government everything is in Trillions.

However he said something else that no one had the brains to pick up on.

All that money the government has thrown around is borrowed.
Those that gave it to us want it back plus interest.
It is going to be very hard to pay it back and we will have to borrow
more to make the payments.
It is obvious he is worried that we have got ourselves on a tiger we
cannot get off !

Hanrahan you just have to be kidding us.
Playing the man?
ROFL.
KRUDD, remember that, politics is never a well mannered thing, it ALWAYS is about personality's and trust.
Remember a great man Kim, he got his names mixed up and the world sniggered at him.
Barnaby get his tongue in a knot and you say we are playing the man.He is shadow finance minister, yet got his trillions and millions mixed up.
He spoke of cutting foreign aid but his leader said no, he spoke about not having sex with same.
polls or no poll he is going to contribute to Rudd's win.
To Rudd's increased majority victory.
He was critical of China trade.
he is lost in a world other than the real one.

As Shaun Carney points out in
The Age, Saturday Feb. 6th 2010:

" There are three frontbench portfolios
that require absolute seriousness, policy
areas where you simply cannot coast or
make up as you go along - defence, foreign
affairs, and finance."

Barnaby Joyce's appearance at the National
Press Club confirmed some of his colleagues
worst fears. He confused his billions and
trillions, made up policy as he went along,
and generally did the opposite to what a
finance spokesman is supposed to do. That is
to appear to be on top of the information,
know what he's talking about, be sober and
serious when talking about the nation's
finances.

In an election year, when swinging voters
are considering who to trust with the
economy - Joyce simply doesn't cut it.

Appointing him to the job is as Carney
confirms - is the biggest mistake that Abbott
could have possibly made.