Deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce has been left looking even redder than usual after a failed attempt to steal a kiss from Fiona Nash.
The Nationals deputy leader called Mr Joyce to the podium at their Canberra party conference, but when he leaned in for a peck on the cheek she unintentionally brushed him off.
The awkward encounter provoked laughs from the crowd, causing the red-faced party leader to call Ms Nash back for a second try.
Deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce (pictured, right) has been left looking even redder than usual after a failed attempt to steal a kiss from Fiona Nash (pictured, left)
‘I missed it, I tried to kiss you!’ said Mr Joyce as someone in the audience yelled out: ‘Have another go!’ Nine News reported.
The party leader then said: ‘Now I know how Donald Trump feels,’ a possible reference to when the Polish First Lady unintentionally snubbed the US president.
Addressing the Nationals Party Federal Conference, Mr Joyce then took the opportunity to make light of the issue of his citizenship.
‘Worse things can happen, feel like I’ve just fallen under a long white cloud,’ he jokes to groans from the crowd.
The Nationals deputy leader (pictured, left) called Mr Joyce (pictured, right) to the podium, but when he leaned in for a peck on the cheek she unintentionally brushed him off
The deputy prime minister has been under fire since it was revealed he is a dual New Zealand citizen, with the matter referred to the High Court of Australia.
Mr Joyce went on to cover more serious topics, warning Australians could face a long blackout-plagued summer.
‘Somewhere between floor 13 and 14 the lift will stop with you in it – an uncomfortable experience if you need to go to the bathroom,’ he said.
The awkward encounter provoked laughs from the crowd, causing the red-faced party leader to call Ms Nash back for a second try (pictured, Mr Joyce on the right)
He called on politicians to turn to coal power, and said baseload supply must be ensured.
The impending closure of the Liddell power station in New South Wales was discussed, and compared to the shutting of Hazelwood in Victoria.
‘We don’t want the Victorian Labor experience becoming our national experience,’ he told the conference.
During the Canberra conference the Nationals voted for a five-year phase-out of subsidies for providers of renewable energy, freezing them for the next year.