‘Finished? You’re wrong’: Barnaby Joyce is slammed for his ‘rude’ treatment of a female Labor Senator during a live election broadcast
- Barnaby Joyce under fire over appearance in televised NSW election coverage
- Clashed with NSW Labor Senator Jenny McAllister in Channel Seven’s coverage
- Viewers took to social media to slam his ‘rude’ treatment of the female Senator
Barnaby Joyce has come under fire after clashing with a female Senator live on air during Channel Seven’s NSW state election coverage.
The former National Party leader became embroiled in a heated exchange with NSW Labor Senator Jenny McAllister within two minutes of being introduced to viewers as a panellist during Saturday’s night televised election coverage.
The pair locked horns after Joyce dismissed claims by Channel Seven political commentator Mark Riley that state issues in country NSW such as water, drought and the massive fish kill in the state’s west crossed over to the federal level.
NSW Labor Senator Jenny McAllister (left) and Barnaby Joyce (right) became embroiled in a fiery exchange on live television during Saturday night’s NSW state election coverage
‘A lot of that, Mark, is a message for the city, it’s not the message you hear in the country,’ Joyce said.
‘What resonates for you is not what the true knowledge on the ground is in regional areas. Don’t confuse the two messages.’
When asked for her thoughts, Senator McAllister expressed surprise at his comments but didn’t get the chance to finish her first sentence before Joyce began talking over her.
Senator Jenny McAllister (pictured) snapped at the former National Party leader during Channel Seven’s coverage after becoming fed up with his constant interrptions
She continued but became fed up when he interrupted her several more times.
‘May I finish my remarks,’ a frustrated Senator McAllister eventually snapped.
Joyce obliged but insisted on having the last word after she wrapped up her comments.
‘Finished? You’re wrong,’ he said before throwing his hands up in the air as the discussion awkwardly stalled.
Channel Seven viewers weren’t impressed after seeing Joyce’s on-air exchange
Shocked viewers were quick to take to social media to slam Joyce’s ‘rude’ on-air treatment of Senator McAllister.
‘Seven News Sydney should be ashamed of themselves for not moderating that redneck misogynistic bully boy Barnaby Joyce. Senator McAllister just ridden over rough-shod and all the men just shrug. Disgusting, demeaning, and all too common,’ a woman tweeted.
He was also criticised by male viewers.
Within two minutes of appearing on air, Barnaby Joyce was already sparking controversy
‘Barnaby Joyce really showed his true colours last night. No doubt he was making a strong pitch for the Nat’s leadership while being rude and belittling to other panel members. The bloke is a disgrace,’ one man tweeted.
Another added: ‘Senator McAllister bullied by Barnaby Joyce and host doesn’t back her up?’
Joyce was also slammed by his own colleagues.
Liberal MP Trent Zimmermann suggested Joyce spend more time in Tamworth and less time on TV.
Joyce was a federal Senator before he quit in 2013 to runin the lower house for the seat of New England in Northern NSW.