Senator Barnaby Joyce has plumbed new depths in his latest outburst, insulting the Productivity Commission and its important contribution to economic reform and discussion in Australia, the Assistant Treasurer said today.
The new Opposition Spokesperson for Regional Development, Infrastructure and Water, has said he uses Productivity Commission reports when he runs out of toilet paper.
"Whether it was meant to be ironic or not, Senator Joyce's comment shows disrespect to an important economic policy organisation – not to mention disrespect to its hard working staff and the wider community that are involved in their work," the Assistant Treasurer said.
"Resorting to toilet humour is not a sign of taking economic policy development seriously and shows yet again the level of chaos in the Coalition on the economy."
"As the Government Minister with oversight of the Productivity Commission, I am impressed with the quality of its work and the contribution it makes to economic discussion and development."
"The Productivity Commission was set up in its current form by former Treasurer Peter Costello so I can only wonder what he would make of this latest outburst from Senator Joyce."
"Governments of the day can choose to accept or reject Productivity Commission reports, but these reviews are an integral part of developing Government policy – to belittle them in this way is unacceptable."
"The Abbott-led Coalition just can't take the economy seriously and Senator Joyce has obviously learned nothing from his unfortunate time as Shadow Finance spokesperson."