Senator Joyce today welcomed the election of Dr Brendan Nelson as Leader of the Liberal Party.

"Dr Nelson provides the Coalition with a capacity to sell a new message on the Conservative's path back to government in 3 years time. Dr Nelson has been an extremely articulate and competent member of the previous Coalition team, he has all the qualifications to communicate to the Australian people a reason to reconnect to the Coalition and an ability to take his colleagues with him on the decisions he will have to make.

"I have found Dr Nelson to be strong but willing to listen to the arguments when decisions of the previous government led to a close vote in the Senate. I wish Dr Nelson all the best and congratulate him on his election. I look forward to the first chance to clearly display to Australia the reality of a Labor government rather than the theatrics which were all pervasive during the election campaign."

Senator Joyce also welcomed the election of Ms Julie Bishop to the position of Deputy Leader of Liberal Party.

"Ms Bishop has been one of the most competent Ministers in the previous government and has the intelligence and capacity to quickly comprehend all key issues in the portfolio. Ms Bishop will be a great balance to the new leadership team. It will have a very articulate, sharp and refreshing approach with the obvious capacity to hold Mr Rudd and his new Labor Ministry to account.

"I think all will look forward to the first question time where Australians will get the chance to clearly understand the reality of Labor. I believe Ms Bishop will be extremely effective in painting to Australia how evidently different the reality of Labor will be to the rhetoric of the election. "