Henderson says she’s still happy to work with Barnaby

CORANGAMITE MP Sarah Henderson has backed Malcolm Turnbull following a stunning blow up in relations between the Liberal and National parties.

Barnaby Joyce took aim at Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull yesterday but, despite Mr Joyce’s insubordination, Ms Henderson said she was content to work with the National Party leader,

“In relation to the change in ministerial standards announced by the Prime Minister, I reiterate the comments I made on Thurs- day (in support of Mr Turnbull),” the Liberal MP said.

“My focus is on working with Minister Joyce on our many local infrastructure projects including the $225 million we are investing in passenger rail.” Ms Henderson campaigned with Mr Joyce during the 2016 election campaign, meeting with farmers in the Colac region during the dairy industry crisis.

The Corangamite MP and the then agriculture minister have also conducted a joint tour of Colac’s Bulla ice cream factory.

Corio MP Richard Marles said the Turnbull Government was un- able to function with an open rift between the Prime Minister and his deputy. “He’s not wrong — I don’t agree with Barnaby much but he’s right about Malcolm Turnbull,” the Labor frontbencher said.

“(The PM) has demonstrated his trademark ineptitude here. He can’t work with Barnaby Joyce and he’s not strong enough to sack him.”