Former foreign minister Bob Carr has had a dig at incoming deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, likening him to US presidential hopeful and billionaire Donald Trump.
The one-time Labor senator and NSW premier described the new Nationals leader as a comedian and erratic, and suggested his thoughts needed to be censored.
"There is an element of the Trump in him I think," Mr Carr told Channel Seven's Sunrise on Friday.
"When Malcolm Turnbull is overseas or on leave, there will have to be people from his office ... you probably need about 20 of them ... to filter every thought he has and to be there at his side when he is planning his comments and doing his interviews."
Former Liberal leader John Hewson believes Mr Joyce "probably" has what it takes to be deputy prime minister but was less than glowing in his recognition.
He predicted plenty of "colour and movement" from the New England MP.
"I do think he will have to mature into the job."
Dr Hewson said he was surprised Mr Turnbull said he was "pumped" with Mr Joyce's elevation.
"I think he's putting a brave face on it because I think he recognises he's got a difficult management task moving forward," he said.
Mr Carr went one step further, saying he could be the one to ignite the prime minister's "pulsing temper".
"He is a deputy who may very easily bring on a Malcolm Turnbull temper tantrum and Malcolm will probably be justified when he explodes," he said.
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