FORMER liberal leader Matt Birney has refused an invitation to return to the frontbench, accusing the current leader of "D-grade, primary school" politics. Paul Omodei, who relegated Mr Birney to the backbench last March, offered Mr Birney the industrial relations and tourism portfolios, but his offer was rejected. The IR portfolio is currently held by Murray Cowper who renominated Mr Birney for the leadership during the ‘leadership spill’.