Prime Minister Tony Abbott has dismissed Barnaby Joyce’s outburst over an open cut coal mine approval near Gunnedah, saying he was simply acting as a local member before being a minister.
The Agriculture Minister declared “the world’s gone mad” after the federal government gave the final tick of approval to Shenhua Watermark’s $1.2-billion open cut coal mine yesterday.
The Prime Minister says Mr Joyce, who was absent from his press event in the area today due to logistical issues, was merely giving voice to the feelings of his constituents.
Farmers on the Liverpool Plains have vowed to continue fighting the project.
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