Opinion: New England the most fascinating head-to-head contest

BARNABY Joyce says he has one thing over his New England rival Tony Windsor – loyalty.

BARNABY Joyce was in a Rockhampton cattle yard 1000km from the most crucial fight of his career yesterday contemplating branding irons, political loyalties and his nemesis, Tony Windsor.

Windsor, the seasoned political Independent challenging the Deputy PM for the seat of New England, has one fatal flaw, according to Joyce.

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In a largely conservative electorate held by the Country/National Party for much of last century, Windsor backed Labor to form government in 2010 but was now indicating an openness to back PM Malcolm Turnbull in a hung parliament.

“Now I ask you, how many times can you cross brand a beast before someone suspects it is stolen?” Joyce said

Windsor has said he would not sign a formal deal with the government in a hung parliament but could support it on confidence and supply issues while dealing with matters on “a case by case business’’.

Barnaby Joyce says he’s “confident but not cocky” about the election result. Picture: Adam Yip

An absence of party loyalty might yet be a plus for Windsor who started public life as a political ally of Joyce’s in the Nationals but became independent before winning the NSW state seat of Tamworth in 1991 and kicking off a successful two decade-long career spanning state and federal parliaments.

But according to the best pollsters – the punters – Windsor will still struggle to unseat the incumbent Joyce in what is the most fascinating head-to-head contest in the country.

Joyce has recently firmed in betting to $1.30 compared to Windsor’s $3.30 on Sportsbet, but insists he’s taking nothing for granted.

“I know my polling, I can say I am confident but not cocky,’’ he said yesterday.

“I can’t stay at home because I am frightened of losing my seat. I spend about three days out of my seat, four days in my seat on a week-to-week basis.

“I think the people of New England understand I have responsibilities to meet – I think they accept that.’’

Originally published as Opinion: New England the most fascinating head-to-head contest