Guy Barnett: Minister for Energy and Minister for Photo Ops holding things

THEY call him the Minister for Energy.

Liberal Guy Barnett is the Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Minister for Resources, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs.

With a range like that, it’s no surprise that he’s also the minister for photo ops with props and a broad grin.

Put on a photo opportunity and Guy Barnett will be there, with his high-vis and hard hat if needed, radiating his unique brand of enthusiasm.

Bring a bike, a horse, a fish or some bees if you like, it’s all the same.

There are worse things to be famous for.

Here’s an in-depth look at the best Mercury photos through the years of Guy Barnett holding something.

** Due to the overwhelming response to the story, we’ve added a bonus 28 images to our original story, including some sent in by readers.

HOLDING A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

With a printed plan and a high-vis vest, even the most abstract of ideas, years from delivery can look like it’s primed for imminent action.

Michael Ferguson looks a bit less convinced.

Energy Minister Guy Barnett and Minister for State Growth Michael Ferguson released the $50 million hydrogen package for expressions of interest at Bell Bay. Picture: PATRICK GEE

HOLDING HIS OWN IN THE MAMIL PELOTON

There’s not too many of our politicians who would dare lycra.

In most cases that’s good advice.

Diabetes Polliepedal

Here he is again to officially launch the 11th annual Medibank PolliePedal – Le Tour De East Coast. Picture: KIM EISZELE

Now he’s just showing off. Here he is holding his bike in front of the Eiffel Tower after the 2011 Tour de France cycling race.

And in front of the Arc de Triomphe.

HOLDING HIS, OR AT LEAST SOMEBODY’S HORSES

The largest animal in our gallery, so far.

Take that as a challenge, Minister.

Minister Guy Barnett during a protest of closures of the Tasmanian Trail. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

HOLDING A GRIN IN SPITE OF THE BEES

And also perhaps in spite of the Agriculture Minister’s absolute scene-stealer of a tailored beekeeper’s suit.

Or maybe he’s been stung.

Guy Barnett MP, Gavin Pearce MP, Tasmanian Beekeeper Association president Lindsay Bourke and Federal Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie at Symmons Plains. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

HOLDING A BIOSECURITY BILL

To be fair, a cute dog was all that was going to get this one past the photo editor.

Ruby seems to have caught the a whiff of something in the air.

Maybe it’s coming from Parliament?

Detection dog, Ruby with Biosecurity Inspector, Luke Budd and Minister Guy Barnett.

And here’s the Minister with another bit of important paper here. Picture: PATRICK GEE

With the Renewables Energy Action Plan. Picture: PATRICK GEE

And another important document. Picture: Richard Jupe

Another committee report …

And a really old bit of paper here. At least it’s a good one — a 1959 copy of The Mercury found under some floorboards.

How many pollies does it take to hold one blueprint? This is at a Bridgewater bridge funding announcement, Minister Barnett pictured far left.

HOLDING COURT WITH A CRUSTACEAN MATE

Rock lobster may be a famous song by US rockers the B-52s, but a trio of these beauties turns an otherwise unremarkable photo of three blokes into guaranteed run on page seven.

Or maybe page 10.

TARFish CEO Mark Nikolai, Primary Industries Minister Guy Barnett and Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fishermen's Association COE John Sansom. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

HOLDING AN URCHIN

The abalone is a spiky marine pest — but Mr Barnett has no qualms in picking one up for a photo opp.

Minister for Primary Industries and Water Guy Barnett alongside CEO of the Abalone Council, Allison Anderson and IMAS research scientist, Dr John Keane. Picture: Zak Simmonds

HOLDING CUTE AND CUDDLY ANIMALS

Nobody can resist a cute kitten — or a puppy.

Visiting the Ten Lives Cat Centre to announce the government's cat management plan. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

...and with detector dog Pippa after a funding announcement at Agfest. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

HOLDING FIRM ON A SLIPPERY CUSTOMER

Finfish or shellfish, freshwater or marine.

There are zookeepers who have less range than the Member for Lyons.

Guy Barnett holding a carp at a press conference about the Carp Management Program on October 7, 2020.

And one a fair bit livelier for the opening of trout season. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Another day, another fish. Here he is helping Inland Fisheries Service senior technical officer Christopher Bassano with a trout transfer into Four Springs Lake in Northern Tasmania. Picture: PATRICK GEE

And while there’s no live animals here, here’s the Minister helping two other blokes hold up some wool. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

HOLDING HIS HEAD HIGH AFTER HELPING SECURE TEDDY’S VC

No prop needed on a great day for Tasmania.

A huge win after a long campaign.

Tasmanian MP Guy Barnett with Garry Ivory, nephew of Teddy Sheean, who has been recommended by the Prime Minister to be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

And here he is holding some other miscellaneous items.

Holding a ribbon at the opening of the Bridge of Remembrance at Hobart’s Cenotaph.

Holding another ribbon.

A strawberry.

A potato, as he races Craig Farrell in the Bushy Park Show ‘Pollie Peel-Off’.

Some woodchips?

A really big auto gas cylinder for some reason?

Holding some tongs.

Getting his guns out to hold a footy.

We’ve even gone back further through the Mercury archives to dig up some of these rare gems to prove Minister Barnett holding things isn’t a new thing.

Here he is holding a highly-caffeinated and problematic chocolate bar with his daughter Nina, in his role as Food Health Diabetes Tasmania president.

Here he is in 2000 holding a rainbow trout, alongside Colin Davies.

Guy Barnett even looks like he’s holding something even when he’s not holding something.

Here he is holding an invisible football.

And an ever bigger football.

Will he ever put the football down?

He did it.

EXTRA: Even more miscellaneous pics of Guy Barnett holding things

Due to the overwhelming interest, we’ve added a bonus 28 images of the Minister holding things — thank you to those who sent in pictures and the Facebook page by the man himself.