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The Advertiser
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'First I knew about it was when I read it in the paper': Joyce's barb over demotion
Barnaby Joyce has castigated Nationals Leader David Littleproud for failing to personally tell him he had been demoted to the Opposition backbench. "The first I knew about it was when I read it in the paper," Mr Joyce told the Leader on Wednesday, May 28. He was speaking after being officially declared winner of the federal seat of New England following the May 3 election. "You only want to know about losing your job from your boss, you don't want to read about it in the paper," Mr Joyce said. "As for generational change, that's all bullshit ... It's really about personalities and politics." Mr Joyce, who has represented New England since 2013, was referring to national media reports that he was going to be relegated to the backbench following a shadow cabinet reshuffle. "When it comes to winning, you should pick your best players, not your best friends," Mr Joyce said. He also took aim at the "divorce debacle" in the days following the election, in which Mr Littleproud and incoming Liberal Leader Susan Ley announced they would dissolve the Coalition. "In the marriage, out of the marriage, it was just a debacle," Mr Joyce said. "It was unprofessional and embarrassing." Since then, both leaders have reunited to form a new Coalition agreement, with the Liberals giving support to a new policy on nuclear energy. But while Mr Joyce remains an ardent supporter of nuclear power, he has been shunted from the Opposition frontbench, where he served as Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs. That job will now be held by Darren Chester. Former Nats leader Michael McCormack is also set to return to the shadow backbench. There were, however, compensations about returning to the Opposition backbench, Mr Joyce said "I can truly represent the people of New England and not be constrained in what I have to say," he said. "New England is bearing the brunt of renewable energy. "If you want solar or wind power, build a wind turbine off the coast of Manly, or plant the transmission lines through Mosman, not in Nundle and across our country." Mr Joyce was first elected as a senator for Queensland in 2004. He was re-elected as a member of the Coalition in 2010 and has served as leader of the Nationals and deputy prime minister. At the declaration of poll announcement in Armidale, Mr Joyce was shown to have increased his margin, winning the seat by a comfortable 59,711 votes. The new member for Parkes, Jamie Chaffey, has been named Shadow Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Resources in the reshuffle. The reshuffle means the Nationals will have six representatives in the inner cabinet and two in the outer cabinet. Barnaby Joyce has castigated Nationals Leader David Littleproud for failing to personally tell him he had been demoted to the Opposition backbench. "The first I knew about it was when I read it in the paper," Mr Joyce told the Leader on Wednesday, May 28. He was speaking after being officially declared winner of the federal seat of New England following the May 3 election. "You only want to know about losing your job from your boss, you don't want to read about it in the paper," Mr Joyce said. "As for generational change, that's all bullshit ... It's really about personalities and politics." Mr Joyce, who has represented New England since 2013, was referring to national media reports that he was going to be relegated to the backbench following a shadow cabinet reshuffle. "When it comes to winning, you should pick your best players, not your best friends," Mr Joyce said. He also took aim at the "divorce debacle" in the days following the election, in which Mr Littleproud and incoming Liberal Leader Susan Ley announced they would dissolve the Coalition. "In the marriage, out of the marriage, it was just a debacle," Mr Joyce said. "It was unprofessional and embarrassing." Since then, both leaders have reunited to form a new Coalition agreement, with the Liberals giving support to a new policy on nuclear energy. But while Mr Joyce remains an ardent supporter of nuclear power, he has been shunted from the Opposition frontbench, where he served as Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs. That job will now be held by Darren Chester. Former Nats leader Michael McCormack is also set to return to the shadow backbench. There were, however, compensations about returning to the Opposition backbench, Mr Joyce said "I can truly represent the people of New England and not be constrained in what I have to say," he said. "New England is bearing the brunt of renewable energy. "If you want solar or wind power, build a wind turbine off the coast of Manly, or plant the transmission lines through Mosman, not in Nundle and across our country." Mr Joyce was first elected as a senator for Queensland in 2004. He was re-elected as a member of the Coalition in 2010 and has served as leader of the Nationals and deputy prime minister. At the declaration of poll announcement in Armidale, Mr Joyce was shown to have increased his margin, winning the seat by a comfortable 59,711 votes. The new member for Parkes, Jamie Chaffey, has been named Shadow Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Resources in the reshuffle. The reshuffle means the Nationals will have six representatives in the inner cabinet and two in the outer cabinet. Barnaby Joyce has castigated Nationals Leader David Littleproud for failing to personally tell him he had been demoted to the Opposition backbench. "The first I knew about it was when I read it in the paper," Mr Joyce told the Leader on Wednesday, May 28. He was speaking after being officially declared winner of the federal seat of New England following the May 3 election. "You only want to know about losing your job from your boss, you don't want to read about it in the paper," Mr Joyce said. "As for generational change, that's all bullshit ... It's really about personalities and politics." Mr Joyce, who has represented New England since 2013, was referring to national media reports that he was going to be relegated to the backbench following a shadow cabinet reshuffle. "When it comes to winning, you should pick your best players, not your best friends," Mr Joyce said. He also took aim at the "divorce debacle" in the days following the election, in which Mr Littleproud and incoming Liberal Leader Susan Ley announced they would dissolve the Coalition. "In the marriage, out of the marriage, it was just a debacle," Mr Joyce said. "It was unprofessional and embarrassing." Since then, both leaders have reunited to form a new Coalition agreement, with the Liberals giving support to a new policy on nuclear energy. But while Mr Joyce remains an ardent supporter of nuclear power, he has been shunted from the Opposition frontbench, where he served as Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs. That job will now be held by Darren Chester. Former Nats leader Michael McCormack is also set to return to the shadow backbench. There were, however, compensations about returning to the Opposition backbench, Mr Joyce said "I can truly represent the people of New England and not be constrained in what I have to say," he said. "New England is bearing the brunt of renewable energy. "If you want solar or wind power, build a wind turbine off the coast of Manly, or plant the transmission lines through Mosman, not in Nundle and across our country." Mr Joyce was first elected as a senator for Queensland in 2004. He was re-elected as a member of the Coalition in 2010 and has served as leader of the Nationals and deputy prime minister. At the declaration of poll announcement in Armidale, Mr Joyce was shown to have increased his margin, winning the seat by a comfortable 59,711 votes. The new member for Parkes, Jamie Chaffey, has been named Shadow Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Resources in the reshuffle. The reshuffle means the Nationals will have six representatives in the inner cabinet and two in the outer cabinet. Barnaby Joyce has castigated Nationals Leader David Littleproud for failing to personally tell him he had been demoted to the Opposition backbench. "The first I knew about it was when I read it in the paper," Mr Joyce told the Leader on Wednesday, May 28. He was speaking after being officially declared winner of the federal seat of New England following the May 3 election. "You only want to know about losing your job from your boss, you don't want to read about it in the paper," Mr Joyce said. "As for generational change, that's all bullshit ... It's really about personalities and politics." Mr Joyce, who has represented New England since 2013, was referring to national media reports that he was going to be relegated to the backbench following a shadow cabinet reshuffle. "When it comes to winning, you should pick your best players, not your best friends," Mr Joyce said. He also took aim at the "divorce debacle" in the days following the election, in which Mr Littleproud and incoming Liberal Leader Susan Ley announced they would dissolve the Coalition. "In the marriage, out of the marriage, it was just a debacle," Mr Joyce said. "It was unprofessional and embarrassing." Since then, both leaders have reunited to form a new Coalition agreement, with the Liberals giving support to a new policy on nuclear energy. But while Mr Joyce remains an ardent supporter of nuclear power, he has been shunted from the Opposition frontbench, where he served as Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs. That job will now be held by Darren Chester. Former Nats leader Michael McCormack is also set to return to the shadow backbench. There were, however, compensations about returning to the Opposition backbench, Mr Joyce said "I can truly represent the people of New England and not be constrained in what I have to say," he said. "New England is bearing the brunt of renewable energy. "If you want solar or wind power, build a wind turbine off the coast of Manly, or plant the transmission lines through Mosman, not in Nundle and across our country." Mr Joyce was first elected as a senator for Queensland in 2004. He was re-elected as a member of the Coalition in 2010 and has served as leader of the Nationals and deputy prime minister. At the declaration of poll announcement in Armidale, Mr Joyce was shown to have increased his margin, winning the seat by a comfortable 59,711 votes. The new member for Parkes, Jamie Chaffey, has been named Shadow Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Resources in the reshuffle. The reshuffle means the Nationals will have six representatives in the inner cabinet and two in the outer cabinet.
Global News
a day ago
- Politics
- Global News
Pressure mounts on B.C. NDP's fast-track bill ahead of critical vote
The chorus of voices against contentious British Columbia legislation to speed up infrastructure projects continues to swell, with the province's civil liberties association calling it a betrayal of the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The association's call to immediately withdraw Bill 15 comes after a government amendment to improve consultation with First Nations failed, putting the bill on track to pass unchanged on Wednesday. The B.C. Civil Liberties Association says the bill was drafted in violation of the government's own Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and without input from First Nations. It says in a letter to the government that it's also worried the bill could fast-track 'politically unpopular' infrastructure projects at the expense of democratic processes. The association calls the bill a 'triple threat,' to the rights of Indigenous Peoples, democratic processes and the environmental health of the province. Story continues below advertisement Tuesday's letter comes after an amendment to boost First Nations consultation was proposed by Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma, but failed in the committee stage after Green Rob Botterell voting against it, saying it didn't go far enough. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Bill 15 has been condemned by First Nations leaders, municipal officials, environmental groups and other critics who say it gives too much power to the government. 2:01 B.C. outlines plan to fast track mining in northwest region of province Ma's amendment tabled Monday would have required government to consult 'broadly' on eligibility for fast-tracking provincially significant projects. She says she wanted to 'bind government' to creating regulations around provincially significant projects, something she says it would have done anyway and will continue to do after the bill's expected passage on Wednesday evening. Ma says government 'thought it would be appreciated' to establish the requirement in legislation, rather than regulation as originally promised. Story continues below advertisement But the amendment failed because parliamentary rules require the committee chair to vote against an amendment in case of a tie, with six New Democrats voting for the amendment, and five Conservatives and Botterell voting against it. Ma said no more amendments would be proposed before the legislature votes on Wednesday. The bills are expected to pass by the slimmest of margins, with Speaker Raj Chouhan likely to casting the deciding ballot. An open letter to Premier David Eby from the First Nations Leadership Council on Tuesday reiterates calls to withdraw Bill 15, as well as Bill 14 that the government says would streamline permitting for renewable energy projects. 'We need you to understand that there are 204 First Nations in British Columbia and, while you may find support among a select few who we wish well, your refusal to withdraw the Bills will have serious impacts on the FNLC's and many First Nations' relationships with your government,' says the letter. 'These impacts could well be irreparable.' The letter says First Nations leaders were 'dismayed' by what it says was a 'summary response' from Eby that he would not withdraw the bills to allow for more consultation, at a May 15 meeting.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Minister's bid to soothe concerns over B.C. fast-track bill is rejected
VICTORIA – Contentious British Columbia legislation to speed up infrastructure projects is heading toward passage unchanged after a government amendment to improve consultation with First Nations failed. The amendment was proposed by Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma, but it failed in the committee state after Green Rob Botterell voting against it, saying it didn't go far enough. Bill 15 has been condemned by First Nations leaders, municipal officials and other critics who say it gives too much power to the government and undermines obligations to consult First Nations. Ma's amendment tabled Monday would have required government to consult 'broadly' on eligibility for fast-tracking provincially significant projects. She says she wanted to 'bind government' to creating regulations around provincially significant projects, something she says it would have done anyway and will continue to do after the bill's expected passage on Wednesday evening. Ma says government 'thought it would be appreciated' to establish the requirement in legislation, rather than regulation as originally promised. But the amendment failed because parliamentary rules require the committee chair to vote against an amendment in case of a tie, with six New Democrats voting for the amendment, and five Conservatives and Botterell voting against it. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Trump vs. Harvard: Canadian university athlete Ocean Ma caught in the crossfire
Highlighted by an Ivy League title and a divisional crown at the national college playdowns, Canada's Ocean Ma enjoyed a memorable first season on Harvard's squash team. She hopes to build on that in her sophomore year, despite the uncertainty given the latest salvos between the Trump administration and the university. 'I don't want to have the college experience taken away from me,' Ma said. It has been a nervous time for Ma and the rest of the international student population at the Boston-area school. Last Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security decided to make Harvard ineligible for international student visas. The decision could force as many as 6,800 foreign students — over one-quarter of the school's enrolment — to transfer or leave the country. A judge later issued a temporary restraining order that put the sanction on hold, pending a lawsuit that was filed Friday in federal court. The developments are the latest escalation in a fight stemming from the administration's assertions that Harvard failed to protect Jewish students from antisemitism. A hearing is set for this Thursday to determine whether the temporary order should be extended, Harvard president Alan Garber said in an update letter on the school website. Ma, 18, from Richmond, B.C., was one of five players with international hometowns on Harvard's 11-player women's squash team last season. The men's team, which includes Vancouver's Jacob Lin, had 10 international hometowns listed on its 13-player squad. Canadian Squash Hall of Famer Mike Way serves as a team coach. 'If Trump's demands went through then (over) half the team would be gone and there would be no Harvard squash,' Ma said from Dalian, China. Over three-dozen Canadian student-athletes were listed on the school website in a variety of sports, including soccer, hockey, lacrosse, fencing and others. The government edict could virtually wipe out many of Harvard's 42 varsity sports teams, the most in the United States. 'I think that Harvard is not Harvard without its international students,' Ma said. Ma, a national champion at the U15, U17 and U19 levels, helped Canada win bronze at the world junior team championship last year. She also helped Harvard to a second-place finish in the College Squash Association national team playdowns. The school has called the government action unlawful and said it is working to provide guidance to students. 'We're standing at a moment in Harvard history that is going to be talked about later on,' Ma said. 'I'm really proud that Alan Garber is able to stand up to Trump and I wish that he continues to fight back for our rights as an education institution. 'I know that he'll be able to resolve everything.' Despite that optimism, Ma noted the steady churn of news has left her family members 'really worried' at times. 'My mom was a little bit frantic (last week) trying to see if transferring to Yale — where my twin sister is — is an option,' she said. 'But I told her to just wait to see. 'I know it will get resolved really soon because it is honestly such an insane and ridiculous situation that there's no way that it will follow through.' Several notable Canadian student-athletes compete at the university. Women's soccer player Jade Rose, who represented Canada at the Paris Olympics last summer, is finishing her final semester at Harvard this spring. Golfer Michelle Liu made her varsity team debut last fall. In 2019, Liu — who was 12 at the time — became the youngest golfer to play in the Canadian Women's Open. And two-time Olympian Jessica Guo helped Harvard's fencing team win the 2024 NCAA national championship. Ma, meanwhile, plans to return to the university in September. Squash season begins in November. 'After spending a year at Harvard, I don't think I'd like to be at any other school,' she said. With files from The Associated Press. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Trump vs. Harvard: Canadian university athlete Ocean Ma caught in the crossfire
Highlighted by an Ivy League title and a divisional crown at the national college playdowns, Canada's Ocean Ma enjoyed a memorable first season on Harvard's squash team. She hopes to build on that in her sophomore year, despite the uncertainty given the latest salvos between the Trump administration and the university. 'I don't want to have the college experience taken away from me,' Ma said. It has been a nervous time for Ma and the rest of the international student population at the Boston-area school. Last Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security decided to make Harvard ineligible for international student visas. The decision could force as many as 6,800 foreign students — over one-quarter of the school's enrolment — to transfer or leave the country. A judge later issued a temporary restraining order that put the sanction on hold, pending a lawsuit that was filed Friday in federal court. The developments are the latest escalation in a fight stemming from the administration's assertions that Harvard failed to protect Jewish students from antisemitism. A hearing is set for this Thursday to determine whether the temporary order should be extended, Harvard president Alan Garber said in an update letter on the school website. Ma, 18, from Richmond, B.C., was one of five players with international hometowns on Harvard's 11-player women's squash team last season. The men's team, which includes Vancouver's Jacob Lin, had 10 international hometowns listed on its 13-player squad. Canadian Squash Hall of Famer Mike Way serves as a team coach. 'If Trump's demands went through then (over) half the team would be gone and there would be no Harvard squash,' Ma said from Dalian, China. Over three-dozen Canadian student-athletes were listed on the school website in a variety of sports, including soccer, hockey, lacrosse, fencing and others. The government edict could virtually wipe out many of Harvard's 42 varsity sports teams, the most in the United States. 'I think that Harvard is not Harvard without its international students,' Ma said. Ma, a national champion at the U15, U17 and U19 levels, helped Canada win bronze at the world junior team championship last year. She also helped Harvard to a second-place finish in the College Squash Association national team playdowns. The school has called the government action unlawful and said it is working to provide guidance to students. 'We're standing at a moment in Harvard history that is going to be talked about later on,' Ma said. 'I'm really proud that Alan Garber is able to stand up to Trump and I wish that he continues to fight back for our rights as an education institution. 'I know that he'll be able to resolve everything.' Despite that optimism, Ma noted the steady churn of news has left her family members 'really worried' at times. 'My mom was a little bit frantic (last week) trying to see if transferring to Yale — where my twin sister is — is an option,' she said. 'But I told her to just wait to see. 'I know it will get resolved really soon because it is honestly such an insane and ridiculous situation that there's no way that it will follow through.' Several notable Canadian student-athletes compete at the university. Women's soccer player Jade Rose, who represented Canada at the Paris Olympics last summer, is finishing her final semester at Harvard this spring. Golfer Michelle Liu made her varsity team debut last fall. In 2019, Liu — who was 12 at the time — became the youngest golfer to play in the Canadian Women's Open. And two-time Olympian Jessica Guo helped Harvard's fencing team win the 2024 NCAA national championship. Ma, meanwhile, plans to return to the university in September. Squash season begins in November. 'After spending a year at Harvard, I don't think I'd like to be at any other school,' she said. With files from The Associated Press. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2025.
