The Sketch: Barnaby’s following big pawsteps
BARNABY Joyce has a lot to live up to as he takes custody of the Wombat King crown from former National Party leader Tim Fishcher.
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FORMER National Party leader Tim Fischer was so thoughtful he donated wind socks to rural airports that had become dear to him, and so popular he once auctioned off his hat for $7500.
So it goes without saying that Barnaby Joyce has a lot to live up to as he takes custody of the Wombat King crown, heading up that political pilgrimage into the rustic heart of the nation that was pioneered by Doug Anthony back in the 1970s.
Eccentricity is supposed to be a defining characteristic of the Wombat King but ever since the departure of Two Minute Tim Fischer we’ve witnessed a hiatus in the high-jinks.
Warren Truss, Mark Vaile and John Anderson threatened the very integrity of the Wombat brand with their sober stewardship.
This week we are witnessing a Wombat King resurgence as Barnaby, a man who boldly declared his intention to infect feral fish with syphilis in the House of Representatives earlier this month, assumes control.
Barnaby, who jetted into Queensland yesterday, certainly has the banter of the sales yard and the back paddock down pat.
He also has a laconic turn of phrase which reinforces his down home credentials in regional centres.
But the Deputy Prime Minister is well aware his Wombat reign is as perilous as the future of that little burrowing mammal, which never seems to be able to waddle off the Endangered Species List.
Not only have the Nationals lost serious political clout over the past decades, but Joyce himself is in a fight for survival as independent Tony Windsor tries to unseat him in New England.
He insists his constituents will understand his long absences on the campaign trail.
“They expect you to work hard and give the Deputy Prime Minister office the credit and proper respect it deserves,’’ he said yesterday.
He might take heart that today is Hairy-Nosed Wombat Day.
The Wombat Foundation will encourage workplaces across Australia and the world to shine the spotlight on all endangered species and take steps to save them.
Originally published as The Sketch: Barnaby’s following big pawsteps
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