Senator Joyce, who's currently in North Queensland campaigning with the now very well known Ian Crossland, was astounded by the Greens candidate Dr Sue Cory's reaffirmation of the Greens policy of a path to economic destitution. Australia, under the Greens influence, has to "break its addiction to coal", as well as “remove the diesel fuel rebate”.

Senator Joyce said “I suppose this means, under the Greens, we can say good night to the mining, farming and fishing industries in Queensland and, in fact, across the Nation. It leaves me a little bit perplexed as to how we will pay for a few of the essentials of life in this new green nirvana of content hunters and gatherers on the forest floor.

"I hope this is not a key issue in the Greens' preference deals with Labor. It's going to be a rather large solar panel you're going to have to stick on a tractor to sow the nation's wheat crop. I'm trying to work out, if we don’t send anything on a boat overseas, why would anyone from overseas send anything on a boat back to us?

"We could try and fill our container ships and ore carriers with love and good thoughts, but I don't think that will be exchangeable for motor vehicles, fridges, televisions, fuel, furniture, video recorders, medical equipment, stoves and virtually anything that you see in your room at the moment, including the computer you might be working on right now.

"It is essential that we do not compromise the wealth of our nation, which we all benefit from, both urban and regional, which is generated in the regions by mining and agriculture. One of the dangers and conceits of prosperity is you tend to disregard how that prosperity is generated.

“I think it is especially pertinent to the mining areas of Central Qld and the Hunter Valley that they understand the reality of what’s at stake with a Green/Labor preference deal.” Senator Joyce said.