Abbott denies Joyce was white-anted

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott denies internal coalition white-anting was behind the
demotion of Barnaby Joyce from the key finance portfolio.
The maverick Nationals senator from Queensland has blamed anonymous sources from his
own side for undermining him.
Mr Abbott insists there was no whispering campaign.
"Barnaby certainly wasn't dumped or sacked," he told the Nine Network.
A day after his demotion from finance - to the new post of regional development,
infrastructure and water - Senator Joyce certainly wasn't celebrating.
"You can't campaign against anonymous sources from your side," the former accountant
told ABC radio from Perth.
He described as "disappointing" those responsible for making negative statements
without putting their names to the criticism.
Senator Joyce made a few gaffes in the four months he spent as the coalition's
finance warrior, at one point questioning whether the federal government would be
able to pay back its foreign debt.
In a speech to the National Press Club, he also confused his millions with billions.
The government had targeted Senator Joyce as a chink in the coalition's economic
armour.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is now using Senator Joyce's demotion to attack Mr
Abbott's suitability as an alternative national leader.
"Big questions arise about whether Mr Abbott's judgment can be trusted on the
economy," he told the Seven Network.
The retirement from politics of senior Liberal powerbroker Nick Minchin, to spend
more time with his injured son, gave Mr Abbott the chance to embark on a mini
reshuffle.
Andrew Robb, a softly-spoken former federal director of the Liberal Party, agreed to
return to the front bench to be the coalition's new finance spokesman.
With Mr Robb less likely to offer Labor an easy political target, the government has
signalled it still sees Senator Joyce as a weak link in the coalition.
Federal Water Minister Penny Wong wasted no time questioning her opposition
counterpart's commitment to the Murray-Darling Basin.
"Senator Joyce is ... well known for his strong support of irrigation and well known
for his opposition to purchasing water and returning the river to health," she told
reporters in Adelaide.
"He has made clear he's opposed to water purchase, which is the fastest way to
return water to the river."
Australian Greens leader Bob Brown also said Senator Joyce was wrong for the job.
Senator Joyce has previously opposed federal government plans to take over the
Murray-Darling Basin, describing it as "oxymoronic".
Unlike the Liberals, the Nationals are against taking water allocation power from
the states.
Despite Senator Joyce's political flaws, Mr Abbott insists his colleague has done an
"outstanding job" since joining the front bench.
"Barnaby's style is colourful, there's no doubt about that."