Joyce accused of slinging lewd comments in question time

1 week ago 4

Independent MP Kate Chaney has accused former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce of using lewd comments to heckle Energy Minister Chris Bowen during question time on Thursday afternoon.

Chaney chose not to repeat the lines in the House as there were children present in the galleries, but told this masthead Joyce had called out to Bowen: “What are you doing with your hand in your pocket? What are you doing down there? Do you have a hole in your pocket?”

Kate Chaney raised a point of order on comments made by former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce.

The West Australian rose to her feet during a question on energy prices from independent MP Dai Le to seek a ruling on whether Joyce, who sits next to Chaney in the chamber, had breached standing orders by using inappropriate language.

Standing order 90, which Chaney referenced, prohibits “making critical, insulting or disparaging comments about another Member’s character, appearance or personal attributes”.

Joyce stared at her and shrugged.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen, hand in pocket, responds to independent MP Dai Le.

Speaker of the House Milton Dick had not heard what Joyce said over Bowen’s forceful response to Le – who wanted to know if net zero plans would hurt family finances – but Joyce was warned to behave under the standing orders.

“If the member for New England is reflecting on members, I’m going to ask him to cease and desist that, and perhaps to assist the House he’ll remain silent for the remainder of this answer,” Dick said.

Joyce listens to Speaker Milton Dick’s ruling, as independents Kate Chaney and Allegra Spender look on.

Joyce slumped back in his seat as he was scolded by the Speaker and gave a thumbs-up assent as he stared at his phone.

Barnaby Joyce acknowledges being warned by Speaker Milton Dick.

Earlier in question time, Joyce, who has been leading the Nationals’ charge against net zero targets, had been heckling Bowen, calling for a debate on energy policy and declaring repeatedly “I was wrong” to back the climate target in the deal he brokered with the Morrison government in 2021.

Barnaby Joyce heckles during question time.

After question time, Chaney told this masthead that she felt the matter “needed to be called out”.

“There have to be some standards in this place, and it was a completely inappropriate way to speak about another member of the House. It needed to be called out, and if it isn’t, then we can’t expect behaviour to change,” Chaney said.

Joyce remained silent for the final minutes of question time before the MPs exited, not to return for another month.

He has been contacted for comment. Bowen’s office chose not to comment.

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