Greens and Nationals bond

December 6, 2008, 5:46pm, 159 views

It was interesting to see the temporary alliance form this week between the Greens and Nationals over carbon sink forests.

Both parties rightly agreed tax deductions to plant trees would adversely affect country communities.

Barnaby Joyce was smart to accept the Nationals Senate leadership without portfolio and NSW Senator Fiona Nash has followed him away from the front bench.

Joyce inspired Brendon Grylls to walk an independent path in Western Australia.

After this week’s Senate farce, veteran Queenslander Ron Boswell said crossing the floor was never necessary under John Howard because Howard “always accommodated the Nationals”.

I doubt that’s true. Howard was just smarter at managing dissent.

Malcolm Turnbull is seen as a city blueblood. He doesn’t understand the politics of rural Australia because he has never needed to.

I expect the Nationals to quit the Coalition during this term of parliament and Joyce to become leader.

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