Liberal frontbench speculation continues

(AAP) - Maverick Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce will snub a position on the opposition front bench because he can't guarantee he will always toe the coalition line.

The Queenslander, who was this week made the Nationals leader in the Senate, has
crossed the floor 21 times since he took his upper house seat in mid-2005.
On Friday he hinted it could happen again as he respectfully declined an offer from
new Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull for a role in the shadow ministry.
There's been suggestions the offer was made so Senator Joyce would be committed to
accepting coalition positions.
Senator Joyce said that wasn't a commitment he could make.
"You'd have to give Malcolm the respect that you would never intend to break from
the line," he told reporters.
"I couldn't give Malcolm that commitment because obviously the role of the Senate
means that at times there will be issues that there could possibly be a difference
on.
"So on this occasion I humbly decline."
Mr Turnbull, who was elected Liberal leader on Tuesday, is taking his time making
public his choices for his new front bench.
He could make the announcement this weekend, or delay it until next week when Prime
Minister Kevin Rudd is out of the country.
Liberal deputy Julie Bishop is tipped to take the coveted shadow treasury job,
becoming the first woman to take the senior economic role which will be crucial to
the coalition's chances of winning the 2010 election.
Senator Joyce, an accountant by trade, backed her for the job.
"Julie Bishop is an extremely capable lady and she's a good mate," he said.
Opposition frontbencher Tony Abbott wouldn't mind a new job himself when the
reshuffle is complete.
In his blog in The Daily Telegraph, Mr Abbott, spokesman for families, community
services and indigenous affairs, said he was itching to get closer to the main
action.
"It's an important portfolio which needs a senior person. It's not, though, the
centre of political combat and I've sometimes rather wished I was closer to the main
action," he wrote.
"The composition of the shadow ministry is entirely in the leader's hands and he
will pick the team that he thinks will best assist the Liberals to win the next
election."
Mr Abbott was responding to a comment from a "Liberal voter of Creswick" who wanted
him to take on Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard in one of her portfolios.
Mr Rudd said he was stunned by Mr Abbott's remarks given the opposition's recent
campaign to raise the aged pension.
"Yet the Liberal Party spokesman responsible for pensions says it's not important,"
Mr Rudd told reporters.
"I find it stunning that Mr Abbott could have said that.
"But out of the mouth of Mr Abbott often proceeds deep truths about what's really
going in the minds of the opposition."