Following a dramatic expulsion from the chamber, we’ve had a moment of comedy, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese launched an attack on the Coalition and One Nation, as he referenced an absent Barnaby Joyce.
“Those opposite used to say that they supported free trade. They used to do that, but they’ve just gone backwards,” Albanese said.
“They’re so spooked by the one guy [Joyce] who hasn’t even bothered to turn up today … that they’re adopting their policies and just trying to be One Nation-lite when it comes to trade and trade issues.”
As Albanese finished the sentence, Joyce re-entered the chamber, wagging his finger at the prime minister to jeers from the government benches.
Joyce called out to the prime minister that while he may not have been in the chamber, he was watching the proceedings on one of the television’s just outside the doors.
“For that tail to wag the dog, Mr Speaker, [Joyce] doesn’t even have to be in the room,” Albanese said.
