From the ABC

Education Minister Brendan Nelson may have to postpone the changes because of opposition to the voluntary student union (VSU) legislation, particularly from key Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce.
Senator Joyce supports banning compulsory student unionism but wants to see a compulsory levy put in place to fund on-campus services like child care.
"We have made our intentions clear about VSU," he said. "The legislation in its current form has unnecessary collateral damage against sporting facilities and other vital parts of the university infrastructure.
"We can get rid of compulsory student unionism without affecting the sporting clubs and the child care facilities at universities."

GUSNEWS:
Is this a sweet way out for the Government? And who's going to pay for the levy?

From the ABC
Joyce crosses floor to save ACCC powers
Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce has crossed the floor to defeat changes the Government wanted to make to the Trade Practices Act. The Queensland Senator voted with the Opposition and minor parties twice to defeat the Government's move to limit the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) power to approve company mergers.
Senator Joyce says the changes would have led to greater centralisation, and he had no choice but to cross the floor.
"The alternative was to vote for a piece of legislation which specifically spoke against what we campaigned for in Queensland, and what I'd stated in my maiden speech," he said.

GUS: Whoa...

A politician who is part of the government under the "strong leadership" of John Howard yet speaks out and stands up?  I never thought I'd see the day...  Barnaby, thankyou for taking your job seriously.  You are giving us a demonstration on what democracy is.  You stand head and shoulders above the yes men and women on both sides of the chamber.

In the words of Ali G, respec'.