It has been a pleasant change to read the usually-left leaning journalists hammer the Rudd govt. But the way they have exaggerated the slip-ups as you have outlined above, is ominous. It is easy to be leftwing. It is far harder to win govt as a conservative - you are fighting the Labor Party, the unions, the Democrats, the Greens, the media, academia....God help us.

I believe that many members of the media are lndoctrinated during their training to support left wing socialism. Consequently, they are not fair minded when it comes to reporting on political affairs.
This statement appears to be supported by the way our current Govt. uses the old communist ( now let wing socialisism ) methods of "double speak" and spreading "misinformation" to mislead the general public into believing their spin, which is then pushed by the left wing media.
I am amazed at the ignorance of most politicians, on the side of freedom, who are ignorant of these techniques being used. If not ignorant then why such methodsa are not being countered,

OK Barnaby,
That is one question I would have thought that you would have a the answer to..'You Ain't the Flavor of the Month with the Media"

How come the opposition hasn't suggested that the Mining Tax is another ETS??
Think about it.. Cut output cut emitions???
Ron W

I have watched " Parliament Question Time " for the last two days on television, and If that is the best performance by the Liberals, we are in big trouble !

Rudd, Swan, Gillard, Ferguson, Roxon, as incompetent in government as they may be, certainly took to the Liberals with a blow torch of passionate argument. Basically the Liberal's performance was extremely whimpish.

I still fail to see how a government with so many failures can keep the opposition on the back foot, if you think that the Super Tax debate is all you need to win government, then you should expect to stay in opposition for another term.

Another major issue is Rudd's failed border protection on which you have voters support, but still the Lib's do not capitalize on anything, it looks to the public like you are gambling on one issue only, instead of hitting Rudd from all sides with some enthusiasm and tenacity, so who do you think the public will vote for, the Lion or the mouse ?


Best of Luck

Garry Hennessy

spot on Barnaby.

the current stoush about tax rates paid by miners is another- it would not be too hard for many of these journalists to get the annual reports of many of our mining companies and see for themselves that the treasury head, the treasurer, the finance minister and the prime minister are using inappropriate figures to put their case.

It is slso a nonsense to claim you and julie bishop were saying contradictory things. Of course the miners could pay a bit more tax, yet they are also paying a "fair rate" of tax at present. Whether it is fair to tax low capital expenditure, high margin projects at up towards 70% tax, then that is way more than "a bit more tax".

You did well on lateline last night - their budget is unravelling before their eyes, because the miners are in revolt and expansion will be curtailed ( not stopped altogether ); but the other thing is the commodities prices are having a severe correction which appears to be more than a temporary correction.

Your attack on Ken Henry was ill founded and again shows your ignorance and lack of depth in areas of economics. You should just keep quiet or do some homework before you open you mouth. You are hurting the party once again.

Barnaby, six (6) Billion people in this world and a few are going to support the Mining tax your words not mine ??? mate read the polls 34% support it 18% support it but a lower level and 33% don't want it. Get on with being a credible opposition instead of scare tactics it may work for you Chris Dale

Your remarks regarding the Rudd government’s proposed tax on mining super profits has left me goggle-eyed, especially the bit about companies “going elsewhere”. The resources aren’t “elsewhere”, they’re here and if the mining companies want them, then they will have to play by Aussie rules and give a little something back. The mineral wealth of this country belongs to all Australians, not just the over-paid, salary-bloated boards of big corporations and their shareholders. They’re hardly the underdogs in this argument.

Garry,I unfortunately have to agree with your posting.
Barnaby, Wilson and Nick appear to be the only people "sticking it up Labor".
Ok ,granted we still havent got a date for the Election as yet,....so maybe coast along ...but Garry is correct....THE PEOPLE will respect a "Lion" leading the country ..contary to "a mouse" who is reluctant to "squeek". !!
The Libs/Nats need to come out soon ...and start "kicking arse"...hard.!!
or they will find they will leave their run too late ..to regain ground.
As for "Red Kerry" last night with his performance on 730 report...interviewing Tanner...I was highly amused.
Obviously someone has organised this "staged performance"...to convince us that the MSM are actually unbiased....pull the other one !!
However it did illustrate, that "the Labor machine" must all have the same CD playing throught their earphones when they go to sleep at night....!!!
Regurgitated ...word for word.!!

How is the Mining Tax going to affect the home gardener who uses fertilisers, trace elements, garden loams, chemical sprays, hard rock, cement for paving, steel posts & steel wire, garden pots etc which are all products of mining? I have not seen or heard any explanation of how this will inflate these costs to every home gardener.

It seems that the communists have taken over the Liberal Party - Abbott has now said

"I am confident, based on the science we have, that mankind does make a difference to climate, almost certainly the impact of humans on the planet extends to climate."

He said his opposition to an emissions trading scheme was not based on climate scepticism but on an objection to Australia adopting a scheme when other countries had not.


So he believed this all the time?

Abbott is a traitor & a hypocrite - get out of this sham coalition now!

Tony Abbott Socialist

Abbotts big new tax , 3200 businesses having to pay extra tax of $2.7 billion for working mothers to stay at home is a socialist disgrace

Why discriminate against farmers like this because mothers on farms chose to look after their children

Oh Barnaby, tut, tut. Don't you know you are that unforgivable thing - a conservative thinking person who dabbles in a strange phenomenon called commonsense?

Now, to our scrupulously fair media it is absolutely unforgivable that you indulge in an artifice such as commonsense, something which is quite beyond their ken.

But, slip up. Make a bo bo - that is something they can understand but only if it comes from the conservative side of the spectrum.

Such a happenstance from the right side (and you are definitely wrong side) is clearly understood as being absolutely honest and above board and therefore not worthy of comment.

Of course, much of our media being a bit thick, they think their beloved government is the best thing that has ever happened to Australia.

It doesn't matter if they run up debt, electrocute people, burn down houses, run a whole sector out of business, build useless tuckshops or toilets and covered walkways at grossly inflated costs , let poisonous food into the country from china and it seems, New Zealand, send the miners fleeing to more friendly regimes and send farmers broke. That is all good policy.

But let the conservative side do something right like keeping boat people from entering in droves, that is cruel beyond belief and a failed policy. And it cost obscene amounts of money. Of course, the taxpayer funding everything and then some, a boat person wants is just a mere bagatelle - hardly costs a bob. Nothing to complain about at all really. The miners will pay for it.

It doesn't matter much to the media that a boat has gone missing with about a hundred people on board, all presumably dead or that women and children are sent to the middle of nowhere to live in disused mining camps.

That is good, compassionate policy. It is also good for the soul of Australian taxpayers to house boatpeople in 4 star motels - teaches us humilty, you see. As for those Australians in distress who might need some help, a bed and a roof - let them get out of the way, a boat person has more right to charity than a pesky Australian.

And now the piece de resistance the use of emergency powers and $38 million taxpayer dollars to fight those pesky miners who are going to plug the government's debt and keep them in power whether they like it not.

They are given license to lie, to sink the slipper in to all and sundry - providing the all and sundry is a mining company or the opposition.

How the media (the dumbest of them) will cheer. There are values in this little lot they admire exceedingly and can understand easily.

Of course they are not bright enough to understand that what affects others adversely also affects them. No, they live in Rudd heaven or nirvana and are safe and warm unlike the rest of us who are screwed and wrung for every dollar Swan and Rudd et all can wring from us.

No Barnaby. Doesn't matter if you and the opposition are right, you are still wrong. The converse applies, of course.

dont worry about them BArnaby, they know where to go when they want a politician to say something rather than stone ansd speaking in riddles. They are as shallow as kevin rudd and his team.
You need to put some light on the hatchet job rudd did on Iemma and costa. Also highlight the fact that he thinks the union are a bunch of neandathals and us qld'ers are living in the sociAL REPUBLIC OF QLD
this man is a risk to our country.

As I have tried to get across earlier, the socialist left is using the tried and successful techniques of basic communist techniques of "doublespeak" and "misinformation, plus the Goebles ploy, that if you are going to tell a lie make it so big that the general public will think that it must be true.
Being at the age of 79 years, I have experienced these techniques during WW2, the cold war, and the so called End of Communism. Actually all that changed was a name change to the Socialist Left. The same priciples are still being puished in universities and further education schools, as I experienced when I did a graduate diploma course which had some common lectures with a media course. Consequently, I felt it necessary to advise the lecturer to stick to the syllabus, supported by other students.
These techniques are being used by ALP wherever the see gain.

You do get a bad run with the media and that wont change, principally because they know the lib/nats are broke and they are all lining up for the advertising dollars from the Unions, Greens and ALP. It all comes down to money - the ABC included! The finances of your party is the issue - now that green labor is in power at state and fed level they have oodles of money. You cannot win without money!
My suggestion is to change tack and be more positive - You know that the Mining tax wont get through the senate before the election so concentrate on the positive things you can do to win over the voters. For example encourage the miners to advertise their environmental workforce and the new species being found across the country in mining areas to inspire green votes. Get the positive message out about global cooling - ie long freezing winters in the northern hemisphere and the larget ice pack surface area in antartica for ages.
Start a new message - Lets get the country back to the good times! We have done it before and You know we can do it again. Libs and Nats need to be positive and leading - ie Good Cop
Last election the unions ran a scare campaign using workchoice - you need something similar from industry - emphasing that they pay the taxes that pay the wages of the public service, ABC, welfare and green programs - showing just how far the ALP has got the country into debt and how much mining taxes will reduce over time because of their new tax. - After the miners have gone where are the ALP going to tax next is the obvious question or are we headed to Greece solution. The media needs to pick up on that one. Leave the Bad cop to the miners and those being hurt by Rudd - ie BER, Insulation and immigration. You all need to unite and present a confident leadership team to show australians that you can do the job.

Well Barnaby the "God forsaken ETS" has been risen from the depths again today.(Rudd trying to point score with the Pres of the Maldives)
God forbid.
The Maldives population have already been promised settlement in Oz (rising water)..of course their country will sink..anything built on coral and sand wont last the distance..!! One good earthquake is all it will take...
Rudd never misses an opportunity ..stirring up trouble with max MSM to cover.
As for Turnbull,he is still a "water melon" with a $$ signs on top...not to be trusted.
LNP have to "up the anti" Election mode is in full swing....They have a lot of ground to make up yet....and its going to get "real dirty" !!

Ross T,
Congratulations on your honest,commonsense and positive post.
Agree with you completely...."positive thinking" needed.
LNP have to really "get serious".
There is so much information that the Public is "crying out" to be informed about....they are hearing only "censured dribble" by the govn.
Ross's post had so many GREAT IDEAS lets hope he sent this to Tony as well.
"Global cooling"...is real and positive
LNP should STOP playing Labor at their own game...
Get "out of the same boat" and set sail with a NEW DIRECTION....please !!

You are marked so savagely because you are perceived as someone who speaks with conviction - not spin. This is a particularly dangerous political animal.

It was therefore welcome to see a very senior ex public servant applaud your concern about Australia's foreign debt (as opposed to Sovereign debt) - which has been growing because of bank overseas borrowings. [The commentator was Arthur Gibb - article available on net].

The Australian banks emerged from the GFC in a very protected position. But their overseas borrowings, and their proposed expansion into Asia needs constraint.

I can't see Hockey showing much concern in this area - as he was an apologist for the banks when Minister for Finance.

Of course the media are not even handed - it is impossible to be even handed when one hand is forever waving a red flag.
School teachers are not even handed, they ensure that as many students as possible graduate as good socialists. My 14 year old was asked by the teacher who she would vote for during the last election and to make sure she got the answer right. Apparently voting for John Howard was not the right answer !
It would be interesting to know how much per head each 'boat person' costs the country and to know how much better off financially they are to age pensioners.
I entered this country legally over 40 years ago and fell in love with the place, I worked every week and a lot of weekends too, then at 65 I'm no longer of any use and put out to pasture - the super lasted a few weeks, just paying off the outstanding bills. I applied for an age pension and found that as my wife was still working I must report every 2 weeks to Centrelink to see how much pension I'll get. Sometimes $100 but most times nothing, zip, zilch, not a brass razoo.
I should of course get divorced and live in sin with my wife then I'd get a full pension that would be a great example to set for the children as we try to counter the socialist training at school.
I failed to report to Centrelink one week - I thought 'What's the point I won't get anything this week my wife worked overtime'.
BIG MISTAKE as quick as a flash, my concession card was cancelled, my pension was cancelled, the family allowance was cancelled and even my appointment at the job centre was cancelled. I had to crawl back and beg forgiveness and promise not to be a naughty boy again !
Nearly all of us come out of school as socialists, some of us grow up and some don't.
All in all I think us pensioners would be better off to go to Darwin rent a row boat, throw all of our papers overboard and drill a hole in the hull then ask Canberra for political asylum after all Canberra is the biggest political asylum in the country.
Keep at 'em Barnaby - the Rudd gang are only there because they are unemployable any where else !

Some clarifications for those who dont know the mining industry - look up "capital flight" to understand what will happen (and is already happening) when a country flags a change in mining taxes.
Miners rank every deposit they have by the return on investment (ROI). If the ROI drops then deposits in other higher risk countries become viable so (previously australian) capital is transferred to develop those deposits instead. The Aussie mines are put on care and maintenance until they are viable again and guess who will foot the bill! Every miner I have worked for is fighting for capital funds against operations overseas so I know they wont stump up the cash if we cant offer enough ROI.
Interestingly miners can offset royalties against the RS profits tax, so all the states have to do is increase royalties and Ken will end up with nothing.
Barnaby should be thanking Ken Henry for encouraging Rudd's "mini-me" cabinet to go with the RS Profits tax, Ken has single-handed given the lib/nats a fighting chance to have funds equal to the union / green support of the ALP/Greens to win the coming election.

More global cooling evidence - the birdsville track is flooded and 80% of pacific islands have grown, except tuvulu which will go under if a whale bellyflops according to scare-mongers.

Good to see fear of commies living on. You talk about left wing jouranlists being indoctrinated, Red Kerry and the sourge of socialism like we are still living the cold war. Comrades that is over. If you choose to live in the 50's good luck tp you but don't try and drag the rest of us back there. I am amazed at the xenophobia, scare mongering and paranoia i read in these comments. If you guys don't want to pay taxes or bennifit from a tax on multinationals gouging Australian resurces fair enough but don't expect the welfare state to keep supporting you.

ME, june 9
if you are not aware of history you will keep making the same mistakes. Left wing socialism is well versed in its previous successes and realises that by repeating a lie often enough many people will accept it as a truth.
Additionally they are intellectually developed over a long period of time, hence the well disciplined and confidant presentatios they give. They use this apparent confidence to make the lesser schooled person feel inferior to them and with the clever use of emotional words stear the mass in the desired direction.
The biggest mistake is to deny their existance allowing them to infiltrate wherever they can exert greatest influence, particularly in the whole expance of education.
So please don't brush aside the lessons of history. open your mind to what is happenig around you.

I have just read the comments from ME it's sad that somebody so silly should post his thoughts in public. Sad that he thinks that the welfare state can provide given that the welfare state can't survive without workers who actually work!! and earn enough to pay taxes to provide for the nonworkers.
Is he willing to pay double or triple taxes pay for mining exploration. Hint somebody has to pay for this and nobody will want to do it without a reward in the end. Why in Australia do we have so many people who still believe in cargo cult? I''m very afraid for the short term future of this country we have the worst government in our history and still the media seem to support them how many mistakes does it take ?

Barnaby

As suggested by other respondents, the Media is certainly home for many left leaning journo's. Why don't they highlight Kev's "Boo-Boo's"? Probably too embarassed. Don't worry about it. At least you're getting exposure, albeit not quite what you would like.

Whilst Tony admits to the odd "porkie", pity some other pollies couldn't be as honest. It would be nice if pollies of all colours would be honest and open when they propose or debate some new initiative. As far as the proposed mining tax is concerned, just how many people understand what has actually been proposed? Where did the figure of 40% actually come from? At what stage of profitability does this 40% cut in? When does profit become a "Super Profit"? How many people are aware of how much tax mining companies actually pay already? And our left wing media mates have done nothing to clarify any of it. At least Rio Tinto gave a lead by publishing audited reports on its position.

One further question on this proposed tax. Have any of our financial wizards in Canberra done an economic feasability study on its overall effect on the economy? Possibly, but I bet they wouldn't want to release the results.

Barnaby, keep talking the talk, but the sooner you and your collegues can put some meat on your comments the better. You have got to start taking these blokes apart and back it up with well researched facts.

Fingers crossed.

"K, we all make mistakes. But how come when I make one, the media treat it like it’s an end –of- the- world event?"

Barnaby, have you stopped and thought that you do not have what it takes to do your job, being excitable and bagging Labor without offering alternatives has got you nowhere.

You are backing George Christianson here in Mackay but I'm afraid you are backing a looser, not that Bidgood was any better.

Hi Barnaby,
Thought you did very well on Q & A Monday night.
I thought you may have got "a caning",but with "Red Jones" away...(pity it wasnt permanent)...and a a "fair and sensible person" in control ..the programme ran very well.
You got your messages across well, and the audience supported you, and understood, where you were coming from.
Bill "Sauerkraut" Shorten on the other hand, appeared very uncomfortable at times....no wonder he was madly taken notes and had the "little black flolder" at the ready..!!!
Guilty....guilty ...guilty ...that urchin of a man...!!
He has "big plans"...The Labor party is a "Boys Club"....so l agree with your thoughts ...Julia will only be the "new bride" for as long as it suits them !!
Labor may have a "new image" in Julia....but they still have the "old, failed policies along with the "crony gang"....in their feeble attempt at amateur government of this country.
God help us all if they get back in.!!!!

Hi Barnaby. Congratulations on your efforts last night when you appeared on the ABC's Q&A programme. I noted that you were more roundly applauded on more than one occasion when you made some signnificant comments regarding matters of current interest and importace to the citizens of Australia. Unfortunately, as so often happens on the ABC the panel appeared to be 'stacked' in favour of the current Goverment. I thought the arrogance of Bill Shorten in articular was pronounced and simply reinforces the thoughts of many Australians. Please keep up your good work and again, congratulatios on a fine effort. Kind regards
Peter Thompson (Sydney)

I think you have to start from the position that the (old) media do not play fair and they are basically all about a popularity contest. There is little interest in discussing anything of substance because they sell entertainment.

You made some very honest and bald statements about the amount of debt this country is in, both government and private. That was deliberately and disgracefully misconstrued as though you didn't know what you were saying. But, you were right and your detractors knew it. They gasped in fear that you had actually dared to go there, so they set about to muddy the water with half quotes and condesending bigotry reserved for those that aren't (what they perceive to be) in their sophisicated circle. Those that are generally referred to as the "elites".

I'm glad you have this blog, you can speak plainly and directly without the filter of those with agendas that are beyond allowing a variety of voices to have an airing.

The left wing media have realised that without their deliberate biased misinformation, the socialist left Government will be crucified at the coming election. Cosequently, I believe, that their academic and union bosses have directed them to mislead the general public { that can read} by their by twisting the truth and deliberate misquoting of coalition statements.

Barnaby,
You have been in Parliament long enough to know that the EDUCATED ELITE (MEDIA JOURNALISTS & PRODUCERS) ARE, with a few exceptions, LEFT-WING and CANNOT STAND PERCEIVED RIGHT-WINGERS LIKE YOURSELF and will go to ANY LENGTHS and SEIZE ON ANY INADVERTANT MISTAKE TO DISCREDIT YOU. They OBEY WITHOUT QUESTION THEIR ZIONIST MASTERS! There is no such thing as FAIR or UNBIASED, as far as the MEDIA are concerned.

Best regards

Robert

Hello
I am concerned at the failure of your party to support vital changes including the ETS, which, I believe eventually led to this election and the Govt changes. Please do not continue to fight the important changes that we as Australian must make to secure a healthy future for our families. Are you able to cite evidence of pressing climate change issues? My granchildren can... and they are fearful for their future. They do not care about the number of refugees entering our country. they are aware more people overstay visas than enter by ship! And they are 9 and 13! Please, as a responsible Australian citizen, parties not relevent, do some serious thinking about the remarks you make in the media which can be so easlily be taken on board by Australians without the skills to research and learn for themsleves. And thats a lot of Austraiains, since th horrific Education cuts by the Howard Govt which has led to a generation of ill informed Australians!
I respect and acknowledge ypur committment and concerns, but please be amoog the first to be at least slightly bi particasn and just get on with the job at hand!
kind regards
Kate Heffernan

to Kate Heffernen,the earth has been warming for the past 17.000 years since the end of the last ice age. I believe teachers are giving misinformation to school children, either through ignorance or political bias. The degree of human contribution is not well determined and cannot be countered by collecting money. Please advise your children not to be unduly worried as significant change will possibly take hundreds of years and may be up or down.
The reason that the boat people need to be stopped is that an unknown number have drowned trying to get here, possibly hundreds. So it is more humane to stop them from taking such a hazadus journey with little hope of success.

I can't believe that there are still people, like the likes of Katie, who still believe that the ETS is going to make a difference in the climate. Do some research on the net and you'll find that "global warming" was just a scam and that in fact the earth is cooling. That's why they had to change the name from "global warming" to "climate-change." The ETS is just an excuse for another big tax. I would like to see some"scientific" research into some real alternatives to energy such as the"Bloom Box". Apparently it is a small device that is capable of powering an average home 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is presently being used by corporations in the US like eBAy, Coca-Cola, Wal-Mar, Google and many more. It is reported to cost only $3000. per box. I suppose though with the amount of money that "big business" read "oil companies " can make from us why would they allow us to adopt an affordable, clean technology. Google, "Bloom Box", and see for yourself. G.

Barnaby
Thankyou for your time on the "Drum" recently I felt you made some good points and expressed them clearly. I am worried about the on going borrowings on the Labor Party, I know that the general public that I speak to think that when Gillard says we will be back in surplus by 2013, they all think that this will be the end of the borrowing as well but you and I know it is spin, but I think this point needs to be put and the question asked of Gillard, so all Australians can see the sham.

Keep up the good work sorry to see you are going to retire.

Hi.
I'm a solid greens supporter, but I recently heard that Barnaby Joyce is quitting politics.
This saddens me.
One of the reason's I support the greens is because of their honesty. Outside the green's, it is rare to find another honest polly (as far as my judgement is concerned). Barnaby to me was the most honest of the lot.
I also see you're only 2 yrs older than me mate.
C'mon, don't give up!
I'd suggest leaving those loser liberal's behind and go independant!
But I also know that honesty draw's a lot of scorn and bullshit, so don't blame u for getting out.
Good luck mate in whatever you choose. Keep an open mind : )

Please don't retire. We (true Australians ) need you. There are so few outgoing honest politicians with the guts to express their opinions and challenge the gutter media who can only attack , negatively, to support their left wing controllres. We oldies who fought for a secure, free and open life are becoming concerned that our old enemies , who wish to control our lives, have infiltrated our society like white ants, destroying the strength of our comradeship and our independance. You are one of the few who have the moral strength to combat this insidious group.
How else can we wake up the lethargic populace to take action to think and act for the benefit of australians?

Hi Barnaby,
Was really pleasing to see you in our area in the past week.
You received some very positive publicity from a lot of people.
Work colleges and friends were very complimentary towards you...saying how they were very impressed and that you were very "down to earth" a "nice everyday guy" and not like the normal pollies..
They admired you as a person, with commonsense approach to issues.
You now have a lot more followers in the Hunter area...Congratulations.

Three things : And I know I'm talking to the converted, but here it is anyway.
1. Debates. I hope that Tony Abbott shows leadership on this issue and DOES NOT debate Julia Gillard again, on any TV channel. It serves no good purpose. That includes the Channel 9 'Today' show. I enjoy watching the 'Today' show however did not enjoy watching Tony Abbott endeavouring to be professional when his opponent, Julia Gillard, did everything she could to devalue the weekly debates. I have no desire to see our hope for the future of Australia wasting his time in contest with a desperado just for entertainment sake. The next election is a very serious issue and the Coalition is managing the campaign very professionally. Let's keep it that way.
2. And just a thought. It did occur to me that we probably won't see many boats carrying illegal immigrants heading our way over the next two and a half weeks? The people smugglers will not want to add fuel to the fire by giving the Coalition more fodder. They'll wait patiently, hoping for an election result in their favour, so they can continue making dirty money out of trafficking in human misery.
3. And heaven help Australia if the Greens get the balance of power in the Senate. People may choose to vote for the Greens because they are concerned about the environment. But there are other ways to bring about change and voting for the Greens is not one of them. If the Greens are successful in their endeavours, those who voted for them will be very sadly disillusioned. And if Bob Brown doesn't believe in distributing preferences, why did he!!

Maybe you could suggest to Julia Gillard that she debate herself. The "real" Julia versus the Julia who was just pretending.

Good on you Barnaby, and Warrren Truss. We coalition voters would like to see more Nationals in the mix.

Why r we allowing 18 to 35 yr olds to come to australia via the back door when our boys r bustingb their guts and loosing lives to deefend their country put them on a plane and send them back train them in the army so they can defend their own country

All the best for your debate on water if you decide to go for it.
water is incompressible, but to anyone who hasn't used it to make a living,
it is incomprehensible! It is a renewable resource, but as its use becomes entwined with energy (other than gravity), it ibecomes less so.

please remember, most people including politicians are creatures of time.
we live to redeem time...we make money because we think it frees up our time or we try in vain to extend our time. But we all treat time-value differently.

Most of the decisions we make ignore this reality. Coal is a product of solar energy, albeit embodied 50M years ago ! The solar panels we make today have a big impact on the rate of emissions. Rapid change in the race to become sustainable needs an immense slug of emisssions now. Does the earth's climate have "tipping points"?

Dear Barnaby,
I am having trouble posting on either the Libs or Nats websites. They have some sort of block on them. I am of course concerned that the press is coming out pretty uniformly against the Coalition. I instance last night on Lateline ( Friday,13 August, 2010 ). Here was Laura Tingle saying that the Coalition was not ready to rule and this morning Paul Kelly in the Australian giving Julia Gillard a huge boost. This is the commentary surrounding the latest Newspoll. THERE IS ALSO THE ARTICLE SAYING THE LIBERAL ADVERTISING HAS NOT BEEN TOUGH ENOUGH. Apparently the ALP attack ads have been working? In my opinion, the Coalition has to go in hock, do anything, to get some quick attack advertising out on Gillard, while there is still time. Fresh brief, advertising out there in the last week. The press barons including Murdoch must be going for the Coalition? Another thing, there are plenty of commentators bagging the NBN but the Liberals have failed miserably to attack it. Tony Abbott's diasterous showing with Kerry O'Brien must be countered. Tony or someone has to get out there and square the ledger. Maybe an effective, NBN, attack AD would do the trick?
IS FUNDING A PROBLEM? GET DONORS TO DIG DEEPER. PLEASE!!!
I have been reading the economy is likely to get bad, is this putting you off wanting Government? YOU MUST DIG DEEPER-----for Australia! Even an unready Coalition is better than a Gillard ALP!

Dear Barnaby and co,

The media has already cast it's vote for Gillard. What can you do? They know that the ALP will get rid of her if she does not win and they have a fantasy that this should not happen to the first woman who has made it to the top, apart from the fact they are all so-called progressives.
I am concerned, my connection to the Liberal party website has been cut, for writing supportive things? It's a problem you of course have experienced, I think they are afraid I might "tell it like it is".
I am counting on the Nationals to be the honest broker's should the Coalition get in. I have told you before, you have some support in the CITY, certainly on the Climate Issue. This is another concern I share with you: Copied from my emails to Senators Bernardi and Fifield.
------>Paid parental Leave----->

I saw Tony Abbott give a good confident and relaxed performance on Q&A Monday night. With all due respect, I can see that Tony Abbott has thought about the problem of paid parental leave being a disincentive to employing women but he has not thought it through, as the questioner pointed out to him.

You can’t just simply brand paid parental leave an “entitlement’, unless the employer is paying for it. As soon as it comes out of General Revenue, it is “Welfare” no matter how Tony Abbott wants to “conjure it”. If it comes out of General Revenue it has to be equitable across the board.

This policy so reeks of middle class welfare, it is an insult to everyone. You might think its sleight of hand. But it is a very obvious deception of everyone, it seems, except Tony Abbott. If he is put up against Gillard, talking in this naive way, he will be crucified. I will still vote for the Libs to get rid of the Gillard Government and due to Climate change, but I will hammer you on this one.

If you win the election, it does not mean you have a mandate on every policy you have outlined. A vote for Abbott is simply a vote against the ALP.

you are the rudest person I have ever had to watch on TV. do us all a favour and get out of public life .... you are not worthy!

Mate - I just watched your disgusting performance on Channel 9. Suffice it to say I regret voting LNP this election.

It's a real shame that the voters of QLD have voted you back in for another term!! I can't believe that Qld'ers would vote for someone who does no research or actually thinks before opening their mouth!!
It's a sad day for Australia!!

The media has driven us all mad, with their left leanings. Frustrating to say the least. Radio MTR 1377 Christ Smith, 2GB Allan Jones, Andrew Bolt, thank goodness for these people.
But Saturday Kroger got Swan was that fabulous or not. And I noticed the media, were not as bad. If Libs get in watch out leftists we are over you, your lies, and spin.
ELLIOTT came up with I thought a good idea. EXPENSIVE, but what about the Ord River, and piping the excess water. Fantastic better than a 43 billion broadband waste.
Also I believe a fast train Melbourne to Sydney, then Sydney to Brisbane. A must for the future.
Hospitals and health important as well. Kaey Go Barnaby Go Libs,

Ch 9 had the best election coverage i have ever seen. I am a big Fan of Barnaby. Loved it!!!! Thanks for keeping it real Barnaby. Your a champ, love your work!
Rach

Can you ask the Government to recast it's budget figures on the basis that it's new coalition partners (The Greens) have a stated policy to abolish the GST.

Some of our friends who moved here recently from America were absolutely astounded at the total left-wing bias in the media. And what they were more surprised at was the total lack of critcal political observation from our own selves.

I've listened to more than a few interviews with the beloved Fran Kelly of Radio National Breakfast and whenever a LNP politician gets up to the microphone she virulently attacks their point of view from every angle, and if that fails, she resorts to name calling. But should ever a Greens or Labor party politician be interviewed on her show it immediately becomes a human interest story.

The most disgraceful example of this was during the Copenhagen Insanity when Penny Wong was being interviewed by our dear Fran. And, despite the fact that Penny Wong was not only willing but preparing to sacrifice the very foundations of the Australian economy for some good photo shoots with Ban-Ki Moon and some dirty political coin with the UN, all the questions that Fran could think of was "how much have you been sleeping" or "Is it getting frustrating".

Looking forward to your next blog!

what about when anna bligh plays god with rain seeding, there are documented cases over a 60 year period were it caused flash flooding, toowoomba was the the main recipient of trials, search it for your self,
thai rain making comes to toowoomba, ive got no problem with useing it , its just not informing the public is derelection of duty of care,even the the final report from the us [ who had conducted atmospheric testing in se qld for the past 3 years stated the public needs to be informed prior to major operations search their final report.]

Barnaby.like i told you once before, honesty is the best policy. at least when you speak the truth they can't call you a liar, and you don't have to have a good memory either. good luck

Would someone please tell the Labor party that the reason they are in Government is to actually "Govern" and not continually complain that it is "all Mr. Abbott's fault". It's a pity that more people and Senators on both sides of Parliament reminded these continual wingers that they DO have a mandate to govern (but not for a carbon monoxide tax) and should get on with the job. Of course that is after they have politely asked Bob, Rob, Tony (Windsor that is) and Andrew if they would 'mind' making the decision for them !