Farming v politics: South West MLC Jackie Jarvis told to focus on agriculture not Barnaby in Twitter rant

A war of words erupted online between South West Labor MLC Jackie Jarvis and WAFarmers president John Hassell after the MLC’s powerful parliamentary speech about Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce’s alleged “history of groping women”. In an early-morning speech to Parliament on Friday25, Ms Jarvis said she was warned in 2014 that Mr Joyce had a history of groping women and was known to sexually harass them at events. The damning speech came days after Mr Joyce replaced Michael McCormack as the Nationals leader and was reinstalled as Deputy Prime Minister. “Part of the reason I’m standing up here this morning is a reminder that that man did not resign and retreat to the backbench for five years because he had an affair,” she said. “He was on the backbench because he was subject to a sexual harassment investigation.” Mr Hassell replied to a post on Twitter sharing The West Australian’s coverage of the speech, saying: “Best she just get on with looking after ag in WA.” Ms Jarvis clapped back, calling the response a “modern equivalent to ‘best she just gets back to the kitchen’.” The agriculture industry stalwart said the comment showed Mr Hassell wanted her to “get back to farm” but Mr Hassell said that was not at all the case and called on Ms Jarvis to “influence the things you can like ag in our great State”. “You don’t think WA women can influence Federal politics? Mmm good to know,” Ms Jarvis replied. “More than half my constituents are women. Lots think workplace sexual harassment is an important issue.” Mr Hassell ended the interaction by saying Ms Jarvis was “incredibly good at reading things into something I have said”.