‘So rude’: Barnaby Joyce slammed over NSW election panel spat

Barnaby Joyce has been called out for his on-air performance in tonight’s election coverage by viewers and even a parliamentary colleague.

Barnaby Joyce has been called out for his “rude” treatment of a Labor Senator during a live on-air broadcast as part of Channel 7’s NSW state election coverage.

The former Nationals leader joined Seven’s coverage seated on a panel alongside Labor’s Jenny McAllister in a segment that quickly became heated.

Making his first on-air remarks, Mr Joyce was asked his interpretation of early results in the cliffhanger election, which led him to rattle of a number of issues for Nationals voters.

Asked by Seven’s political editor Mark Riley if there was crossover with federal issues like “water, fish, drought”, Mr Joyce was dismissive.

“A lot of that, Mark, is a message for the city, it’s not the message you hear in the country,” he said.

“What resonates for you is not what the true knowledge on the ground is in regional areas.”

Asked to weigh in, Senator McAllister said she was surprised at his remarks, but barely got through a sentence.

Barnaby Joyce faces off with Labor Senator Jenny McAllister during Seven's NSW election coverage. Picture: Channel 7

“I am surprised that you’d not put water on the list of concerns,” she said.

“You’ve got these western NSW seats with massive fish kill and a very active conversation...”

This was the point where Mr Joyce began to interrupt and talk over Senator McAllister.

“That was because of the Greens... you can’t take water to the south, not have it come to the north, and not expect something to die in the middle. It’s the bleeding obvious,” he said as his fellow panellist tried to get her point across.

Senator McAllister continued, saying “I think the proposition that’s been put is that there’s been complete mismanagement of the water system”, before being again interrupted.

“May I finish my remarks?” Senator McAllister said — a comment met by a shrug from Mr Joyce.

She did continue, barely finishing her sentence before Mr Joyce had his say.

“Finished? You’re wrong,” he said.

Barnaby Joyce shrugged his shoulders and screwed up his face when his co-panellist refused to be interrupted. Picture: Channel 7

NSW State Election: "When an incumbent leaves, they've got to transition that seat into the next person. If they don't transition the seat, it will be lost." - @Barnaby_Joyce on the seat of Barwon. Live coverage on @Channel7 & @7plus now. https://t.co/aYHyeIUA7m #NSWvotes #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/DVusCcuw6c

— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) March 23, 2019

Shocked viewers were quick to blast the Nationals politician on Twitter, declaring his part in the exchange “so rude”.

“Crushing Jenny McAllister’s opinion in such an offhand manner will win you no friends Barnaby Joyce,” one viewer wrote.

“Please remove Barnaby Joyce from the panel. So rude, condescending, speaking over the top of everyone and just seems angry,” another tweeted.

#Barnabyjoyce is such a rude 🐷. I’m changing channels rather than watch him talk over everyone! #7news #NSWDecides #formerNATvoter

— tplus (@tiddalik2002) March 23, 2019

@Barnaby_Joyce you are so rude!@jennymcallister should not have to ask you if she can her finish remark. Seriously!!! Stop talking over ppl when you don't agree!#NSWDecides @7NewsSydney

— Kylie McKelvie (@Kylie_McKelvie) March 23, 2019

And @Barnaby_Joyce reinforces why he is political poison - opening remarks and absolutely disgusting way to speak to the Labor panelist and should have been called out for it by @michaelusher and @7NewsSydney

— Holly Byrnes (@byrnesh) March 23, 2019

News Corp columnist Annette Sharp said Senator McAllister had been “doing her best to not be silenced” by Mr Joyce, while colleague Holly Byrnes said the former leader had “reinforced why he is political poison” and also took aim at the panel’s host.

“Absolutely disgusting way to speak to the Labor panellist and should have been called out for it by Michael Usher and Seven,” Byrnes tweeted.

Even one of Mr Joyce’s parliamentary colleagues called out his performance during the NSW election campaign.

Appearing on ABC’s election coverage, Liberal MP Trent Zimmermann suggested his colleague “spend more time in Tamworth and less time on TV”.