Joyce spoke up for electorate: PM
AAP
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has excused Barnaby Joyce's outburst over a $1 billion mine approval in his electorate, saying he was merely acting as a local member before a minister.
The agriculture minister declared the "world's gone mad" after his government granted Chinese company Shenhua approval for the Watermark mine near Gunnedah.
Mr Abbott said Mr Joyce - who was absent from the prime minister's press event in the area on Thursday due to logistical issues - was merely giving voice to the feelings of his constituents.
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