Barely three days since he was removed by Tony Abbott as Shadow Finance Minister, Senator Barnaby Joyce has ridden roughshod over his Shadow Treasurer, putting forward a new tax policy.
"Today Senator Joyce is freelancing as the Shadow Treasurer, announcing a new uncosted and unfunded tax policy on regional zone tax rebates in the Courier Mail," Senator Sherry said.
"Mr Abbott must today clarify whether Senator Joyce's proposal represents Coalition tax policy and, if so, what the budget impact of this policy will be."
"Mr Abbott should also clarify whether Mr Hockey continues to have portfolio responsibility for tax policy within the Coalition, following Senator Joyce's new tax proposals today and Mr Abbott's great big new paid parental leave tax in recent weeks."
"Given Mr Hockey has yet to announce any economic policy after more than a year as Shadow Treasurer, it's hardly surprising that Senator Joyce would feel the need to fill this policy vacuum."
"The Opposition under Mr Abbott is a disorganised shambles – it's this kind of confusion and disunity that has done so much damage to the Liberals' economic credentials."
"It is becoming clearer by the day that this is the weakest economic outfit of any major political party in decades."