TONY Abbott was invited to open the Wimmera Machinery Field Days last week. Trouble was, he didn't. Well not formally, anyway.

Abbott turned up and gave a long speech about the carbon tax.

But then after a cursory, "thanks very much and all the best for the next three days", sat down, forgetting to declare the field days officially open.

Still, at least Tony made sure everyone knew he was there, unlike Federal Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig, who despite going to the effort of making a rare public appearance, still kept a low profile.

Not even a disappointed organising committee got to meet Joe, who looked as if he was trying to get around incognito in a Landcare baseball cap.