Barnaby Joyce enters the New England campaign with a $40,000 prize cheque




Gina Rinehart hands Barnaby Joyce a $40,000 National Agriculture Day award - The Weekly Times
UPDATE: BARNABY Joyce will not be accepting $40,000 bestowed on him by mining magnate and cattle queen Gina Rinehart last night, The Weekly Times understands.
It’s understood Mr Joyce will not be accepting the prize money at all, and it will be returned to the award’s organisers.
The Nationals leader and former agriculture minister took time out from campaigning in the New England by-election to attend a gala dinner in Canberra last night, where Mrs Rinehart delivered the award, and accompanying cheque, for leadership and advocacy in the industry.
In her speech, Mrs Rinehart singled out Mr Joyce as “a champion of our industry and our friend”.
“The agriculture industry was very fortunate to have had such a dedicated, understanding and enthusiastic Minister, one with years of first-hand experience,” she said.
“A real Aussie country boy, and boy do we hope you return!”
But National Farmers Federation Fiona Simson has sinced claimed on Twitter she was left “completely surprised” by the award, which she had not been consulted about.





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