Funny: OZschwitz: Barnaby Joyce says he used Productivity Commission reports as toilet paper

Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has distanced himself from the "toilet paper" comments coalition frontbencher Barnaby Joyce made about reports from the Productivity Commission.

"It was a colourful phrase," Mr Abbott told reporters in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Senator Joyce on Tuesday admitted he did not read commission reports, telling a business lunch in Sydney that he used them as replacement for toilet paper.

Mr Abbott said he took "very seriously" the commission's reports and recommendations.

"I think that the Productivity Commission does an excellent job," he said, adding it was established by the previous Howard government.

Andrew Robb, the man who replaced Senator Joyce as the coalition's finance spokesman, was also supportive of the commission saying it would continue to play an important role.

"In many respects, keeping us all honest," he told ABC Radio.

"Much of the direction and the substance of what they do report ... provides a significant contribution to thinking and to maintaining a strong sense of direction amongst decision-makers."

Senator Joyce defended his remark, saying if people wanted him to be "nice and sedate" in his commentary, then he was happy to oblige.

He vowed to read a commission report on the federal government's water buy-backs, due to be released at 2pm (AEDT) in Wednesday.

"It's ridiculous to think that as the shadow minister for water I won't be reading it," he said.

LNK

Funny: OZschwitz: Barnaby Joyce says he used Productivity Commission reports as toilet paper

Funny: OZschwitz: Barnaby Joyce says he used Productivity Commission reports as toilet paper

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