My appointment as Shadow Finance Minister by Tony Abbott gives The Nationals the type of influence they have not had since the time of Artie Fadden in the 1950s.
There has been some focus by the media that the “maverick” tag will be shelved, but as I said on ABC’s AM to Alexandra Kirk: No one likes to relinquish the freedom that they have, but what's the alternative? To be a free voice on every issue for an eternity in Opposition wasn't looking too good. I haven’t had a personality transplant but the Shadow Cabinet will be the venue for the argument now. The Treasurer Mr Swan has challenged us to promise to limit spending increases when the economy fully recovers. We will be doing many things, but mimicking the Labor Party isn’t one of them. The Shadow Cabinet’s expenditure review committee will determine what can be done and we will be prudent and we will be diligent. As I said to Phil Coorey from The Sydney Morning Herald: ''I'm an accountant. I've just found myself a big new client - it's called Australia.''