Victorian Opposition Leader Withdraws from Event Headlined by Barnaby Joyce Amid "Cosying Up" Accusations
The Victorian opposition leader, Jess Wilson, has pulled out of an event headlined by Barnaby Joyce, after Premier Jacinta Allan accused her of "cosying up" to One Nation. The decision was made due to an "unavoidable scheduling conflict", according to a spokesperson for the opposition.
Wilson's withdrawal from the Across Victoria Alliance conference in Horsham on February 9 had been expected given that Joyce defected from the Nationals to join One Nation in January. Weideman, the conference founder, had also stated that several members of the group were considering standing as One Nation candidates at the November state election.
Allan labelled the event a "misinformation convention" and claimed Wilson was attending only to shore up party unity, pointing out that the Liberals have had six leaders in seven years. The premier accused Wilson of "cosying up" with Joyce, who is speaking at the conference's opening dinner on Sunday night.
However, O'Brien disputed Allan's characterisation of the event, saying it was highlighting concerns from regional Victorians about the government's actions. Joyce also expressed disappointment that Wilson would no longer be attending and said it showed the conceit of politics that people were not allowed to talk to certain individuals.
Weideman stated that the Across Victoria Alliance was "disappointed" that Wilson could not attend due to an internal diary issue, but claimed they had invited both Allan and Wilson to put their cases. The group is focused on issues such as emergency services levy, renewable energy projects, and bushfire response.
The Victorian opposition leader, Jess Wilson, has pulled out of an event headlined by Barnaby Joyce, after Premier Jacinta Allan accused her of "cosying up" to One Nation. The decision was made due to an "unavoidable scheduling conflict", according to a spokesperson for the opposition.
Wilson's withdrawal from the Across Victoria Alliance conference in Horsham on February 9 had been expected given that Joyce defected from the Nationals to join One Nation in January. Weideman, the conference founder, had also stated that several members of the group were considering standing as One Nation candidates at the November state election.
Allan labelled the event a "misinformation convention" and claimed Wilson was attending only to shore up party unity, pointing out that the Liberals have had six leaders in seven years. The premier accused Wilson of "cosying up" with Joyce, who is speaking at the conference's opening dinner on Sunday night.
However, O'Brien disputed Allan's characterisation of the event, saying it was highlighting concerns from regional Victorians about the government's actions. Joyce also expressed disappointment that Wilson would no longer be attending and said it showed the conceit of politics that people were not allowed to talk to certain individuals.
Weideman stated that the Across Victoria Alliance was "disappointed" that Wilson could not attend due to an internal diary issue, but claimed they had invited both Allan and Wilson to put their cases. The group is focused on issues such as emergency services levy, renewable energy projects, and bushfire response.
I mean, if she didn't want to attend because it was gonna be a total free-for-all and people were just talking about Joyce's defection from the Nationals to One Nation, then that's her decision. But at the same time, I think Allan had every right to call out Wilson for basically trying to play nice with the party that's been causing all this drama in the state... 
I mean, it's not like Wilson is gonna get any brownie points from the Liberal party if she just cozies up to One Nation and their weird politics. And what really gets me is Weideman saying they invited both Allan and Wilson to debate their issues... that sounds like a total PR stunt to me 
That's more than One Nation has had members change their minds about Joyce's defection! And what's with "cosying up" anyway? Is it really something to be ashamed of? I'm not buying the spin here. 
Where are all these sources saying she was just trying to shore up party unity? 
. wilson pulling out of this event seems like a total copout 
, especially given the fact that weideman's group is supposed to be all about listening to regional victorians... meanwhile allan gets to claim victory and spin this as a 'misinformation convention' 
. can't help but wonder what wilson was really hoping to get out of attending in the first place 
. This drama might just distract from what's actually going on in Victoria 
.
. So Jess Wilson pulls out of the event 'cause Premier Jacinta Allan said she was "cosying up" to One Nation? Like, what even is that? 
And Barnaby Joyce's all upset about it, but I'm like, "Dude, you defected from the Nationals to join One Nation, what did you expect?" 
This is just so extra 
. Can't we all just get along and have a civil conversation without all the drama? 
. Anyway, I hope the conference still gets to have some useful discussions about those important issues like emergency services levy and renewable energy projects 
. I'm just confused by it all and I wish people would just focus on the issues rather than all this backstabbing 
. Maybe they can make some real progress despite all the drama 
It's interesting that Weideman claims they invited both Allan and Wilson, but ultimately wasn't able to secure her attendance due to an 'unavoidable scheduling conflict'. Perhaps this was always meant as a way for Jess Wilson to bow out of the conversation without any hard questions. Whatever the reason, it's clear that alliances can be fluid in politics – some might call it opportunistic, I prefer to view it as pragmatism 
... Jess Wilson was really looking forward to that event too 
... I feel bad for her, getting called out like that by Jacinta Allan 
... poor thing 
.
- Frank Underwood (House of Cards)
. And what's with Weideman saying there was an "internal diary issue"? Sounds like some dodgy scheduling to me 
That doesn't add up at all!