Miranda Live: Barnaby Joyce says no executive power as drought envoy is ‘frustrating’
HE has been tasked by the Prime Minister with addressing Australia’s devastating drought as a special envoy, but Barnaby Joyce says it is frustrating not to have executive power to implement ideas.
BARNABY Joyce is weeks into his new role as special envoy for drought assistance, but the Nationals backbencher has lamented the position’s lack of real power.
BARNABY JOYCE ON MIRANDA LIVE:
The role was created by Prime Minister Scott Morrison soon after he was voted in as Liberal leader and widely seen as an olive branch to Mr Joyce.
The ex-deputy prime minister has revealed several plans to tackle the big dry which include using Commonwealth water, currently used for environment assets, to grow fodder, but told Miranda Live he doesn’t have the capacity to sign off on the idea.
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“At this point in time, as an envoy, I don’t have the direct executive power, which is the capacity to say, ‘I decree that you will do this and off people go and do it’,” Mr Joyce said.
“Yes, I have two staff, you do the best with what you’ve got,” he said when asked by host Miranda Devine if that was frustrating.
It remains unclear if Mr Joyce reports to Mr Morrison or Agriculture Minister David Littleproud, but the backbencher said he is hoping to have a formal discussion with Mr Morrison on Wednesday.
“I’ll walk out the door, turn left, go down the corridor, turn right and then walk downstairs to the Prime Minister’s office and tell him direct.”
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