Tony Abbot's new shadow cabinet looks bonkers

The Opposition has taken a dramatic lurch to the right with the announcement of one of the most conservative frontbenches since the 1980s battles between Liberal moderates and conservatives.

Right-wingers Kevin Andrews, Bronwyn Bishop, Cory Bernardi, Barnaby Joyce, Sophie Mirabella, Connie Fierravanti-Wells and Philip Ruddock have been promoted, making the new coalition line-up the most socially conservative in a generation.

The most remarkable promotions, however, are the two most expected: Barnaby Joyce’s elevation to Finance and the return of the apparently unkillable Bronwyn Bishop, who takes the peculiar portfolio of "seniors", on the basis, Abbott said at his press conference, that she is "one of them".

The handing of a senior economic portfolio to a National is unheard of since the 1970s when the Country Party occupied a far greater proportion of coalition seats than the rump they currently form. According to Abbott, Joyce has been given the portfolio because he is an accountant!

The nation's finances are almost now in the hands of this man. Thank heavens they are in opposition.

I like his method of chosing his shadow ministry, Old Bronnie gets seniors (because she is one), the loudmouth from the bush gets 'Finance' (because he is an accountant) and Abbot is the leader because he was an amateur boxer and thought that he had fathered a child that wasn't his..

LOL

Least pollies are good for one thing - amusement

This lot are. Good for 'amusement' that is. 

Pity the people who attended the same accountancy classes as Barnaby Joyce