{"id":45205,"date":"2019-04-22T16:10:42","date_gmt":"2019-04-22T06:10:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nofibs.com.au\/?p=45205"},"modified":"2022-05-02T13:02:46","modified_gmt":"2022-05-02T03:02:46","slug":"indie-adamblakester-challenges-barnaby_joyce-to-face-voters-jansant-reports-on-watergate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/indie-adamblakester-challenges-barnaby_joyce-to-face-voters-jansant-reports-on-watergate\/","title":{"rendered":"Indie @AdamBlakester challenges @Barnaby_Joyce to face voters: @jansant reports on #Watergate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Member for New England Barnaby Joyce. Photo: Wayne Jansson<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Former Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Barnaby Joyce has been called to face the public \u2014 particularly his constituents in the NSW rural electorate of New England \u2014 over a staggering record payment of $79 million for water buy-backs<\/a> in 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent candidate for New England Adam Blakester spoke to No Fibs <\/em>and said there are growing concerns in the community that Mr Joyce is hiding to avoid scrutiny over the scandal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To Barnaby I would say he needs to be in public to respond to valid questions about incompetence, conflicted interests and potential corruption of his actions in the last two terms of government.<\/p>Adam Blakester<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

There are numerous reports Mr Joyce has confirmed attendance at only one or two candidates’ forums, and these will be late in the federal election campaign. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With pre-polling growing in popularity, by the time Mr Joyce does front the public the result could already be decided, Mr Blakester said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

TENTERFIELD chamber of commerce offered three alternative dates to Joyce\u2019s office. Declined all three. Election once every 3 years and this is the best we can expect. Where are you Barnaby ?<\/p>\u2014 Vince Sherry (@VinceSherry) April 22, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote>\n