Politics with Michelle Grattan
News:Politics
Barnaby Joyce has confirmed he could cross the floor on the federal legislation associated with the National Energy Guarantee. “Of course I could,” he says in an interview with The Conversation.
Joyce is out on the author’s circuit for his just-released book Weatherboard and Iron, which reprises the personal saga that took him from deputy prime minister to backbencher, as well as canvassing life in Canberra and policy issues.
On the NEG, he says in this podcast: “If it comes back from COAG and it’s absolutely untenable in regards to what happens to power prices and it forces even more misery onto people that can no longer afford power then I think you’re almost duty bound to leave that option [crossing the floor] up your sleeve.”
Asked whether the government should ditch its tax cuts for big business if it cannot get them through the Senate, Joyce says: “To be quite frank I’ve probably got a different view than some of my colleagues, in that I look at the company tax cuts and I say, well we have to also be internationally competitive.”
Provocatively, Joyce says the Nationals should run a candidate in the NSW Labor held seat of Eden-Monaro - which would mean contesting against a Liberal contender.
On future aspirations, Joyce makes it clear he would like to return to the frontbench after the election. “If I was offered that I would never knock it back,” he said. “In politics you should try to get to the point of most effect – because that’s how you bring the best outcome”.
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Andrew Norton on the Albanese government's interventionist policy to cut foreign student numbers
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Andrew Bragg flags a coalition would use 'coercion' of the states to get more new houses built
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Madeleine King on investment incentives and the pivotal role of gas
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Budget fight looms on Future Made in Australia tax breaks
Politics with Michelle Grattan: James Paterson on prospects for passage of the government's deportation bill
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Anne Summers says we need much more information on male perpetrators of violence against women
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Economist Chris Richardson on recent economic data and whats in store for the upcoming budget
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Independent MP Dai Le on the church attack in her electorate
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Josh Burns on being a Jewish MP during a terrible conflict
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Andrew Leigh on competition - economic and political
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Kim Beazley on Kevin Rudd, being an ambassador, and a possible second Trump presidency
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Cyber expert Lesley Seebeck on TikTok’s future in Australia
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Masculinity expert Michael Flood on boys and men behaving badly
Politics with Michelle Grattan: John Blaxland on spies, AUKUS, and an unsettled Washington
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Jason Clare on the future of education in Australia
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Antony Green, Kos Samaras and Tim Costello on Dunkley contest
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Assistant minister Malarndirri McCarthy says there's 'no rush' on treaty and truth-telling
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Chris Bowen on fuel efficiency standards and the energy transition
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Angus Taylor on tax and the economy
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Jim Chalmers says Australians will be better off next year
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free