Barnaby Joyce labels Anthony Albanese a ‘goose for his attacks on George Christensen

A new podcast from maverick Dawson MP George Christensen has sparked a war of words between two of the country’s leaders. Read what they had to say.

A new podcast from maverick Dawson MP George Christensen has sparked a war of words between two of the country’s leaders.

Responding to a journalist’s question about Mr Christensen’s latest podcast “sharing conspiracy theories around something that he calls ‘mass formation psychosis’”, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said the government was too weak to take on the outgoing Dawson MP.

“George Christensen’s behaviour is more than just a figure of amusement or bemusement. It needs to be taken seriously,” he said in Airlie Beach on Tuesday.

“George Christensen’s behaviour in promoting conspiracy theories and engaging in this behaviour has an impact on people’s health.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese. Picture: Caitlan Charles

“Because he, along with the other conspiracy theorists, in promoting those sorts of ideas, do get listened to by a small proportion of the population, is promoting vaccine hesitancy, is promoting activity which is a danger to people’s health, and therefore as well a danger to the economy and to jobs.

“Barnaby Joyce, as the leader of the National Party and Deputy Prime Minister, is out there campaigning with George Christensen today says it all about the problems with this government.

“He shouldn’t be a part of a government party if he’s engaging in the sort of dangerous and reckless rhetoric which he continues to do.

“But instead of that, he’s getting a hug from the Deputy Prime Minister today, which will be seen by some people as an endorsement, rather than distancing the government from his views.”

Cartoonist Harry Bruce's take on name-calling in Mackay between two of the countrys top leaders this week.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said he had not listened to the podcast but he believed Mr Christensen had a right to express his views.

He said Mr Albanese’s comments showed “how completely out of touch” a man from the inner suburbs of Sydney was to “diss out on the local member”.

“He comes into North Queensland and starts dissing out on a North Queenslander,” he said.

“Here’s lesson 101 in Queensland politics, Albo, you got that one wrong, mate.”

Mr Joyce said the people of Dawson had re-elected Mr Christensen four times and should be treated with respect instead of like they were “stupid or improper”.

“Well, Albo, you’re a goose, a total and utter goose,” he said.

“Wrong place, wrong part of the country, go home, get back to Sydney, that’s where you belong.

“If you vote for him, you’ll get him. A green Labor government. Good luck in your coal mining jobs then.”

Mr Joyce was in Mackay with Dawson Nationals candidate Andrew Willcox who the party selected when Mr Christensen decided to retire.

He praised Mr Christensen’s gumption in advocating for his patch, succeeding in securing many millions in funding for key projects like the Mackay Ring Road.

And Mr Joyce said his door was open for the new candidate if successful at the impending Federal Election.

Mr Willcox, the current Whitsunday Mayor, said Mr Christensen had been able to secure a bucketload of money for his constituents during his four terms in the job but he was keen to make his voice heard in Canberra.

“I go all right at that as well,” the current Whitsunday Mayor said to Mr Joyce.

“I’ll be knocking on your door because I won’t be a shrinking violet.

“I’m pleased you’ve announced to the whole of the Dawson region that you get how much we contribute.

“We’ve got the biggest cane industry, we’ve got grazing, we’ve got mining and mining support services; we generate an enormous amount of GDP and all’s we want is our fair share back and that’s what I’m going to be trying to do.

“For the people who generate the money, we’ve got to provide them with the services, the infrastructure, health care.”