Former Deputy Prime Minister, agriculture and water minister Barnaby Joyce has thanked attendees for being "overwhelmingly kind" as he opened Wimmera Machinery Field Days 2019 on Tuesday.
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Mr Joyce appeared alongside the Nationals' candidate for Mallee at this year's federal election, Dr Anne Webster.
He said he didn't believe the personal scandals of both himself and outgoing MP Andrew Broad in the past 12 months had had an effect on the party's popularity with Wimmera voters.
"I've judged it on the people here," he said. "People just want you to do your job and get stuck into it, and they're not really that concerned about burying you for your personal life."
Mr Joyce also rejected the proposal by independent Mallee candidate Ray Kingston for no more water to be taken from Mallee irrigators as part of the next phase of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
