Three Cheers for Barnie Joyce

Despite the rather pathetic attempts to paint Nats senator Barnaby Joyce as some sort of neo-Bjelke-Petersen, it's nice to see that many have reacted to the Prime Minister's outrageous comment that Joyce's first obligation is to his party room, not his constituents, with the appalled astonishment that such a comment deserves. Many mates of mine were shocked that Howard actually let this comment slip in the media.

The story of Barnaby Joyce could prove to be a fascinating one. Apart from anything - what a fine line the government must walk! Push him too far, and he has the option of going independent, depriving the government of their Senate majority. The most important thing of all is that, despite what the Heffernans and Tuckeys would like to think, Joyce is no maverick in the sense of pushing a view that only he holds, either in parliament or, most importantly, in the public. Hands up anyone in the bush - or anyone in Australia - who really thinks selling Telstra is a good idea? Or considered their vote for the Howard Government a `mandate' for the sale?

Bring it on kids - Australian democracy can only benefit in the long term, but unfortunately, it's going to go through the floor in the short term. Yes, it's got even further to go.