Barnaby Joyce reveals split with National Party, won’t stand again as Member for New England
In a bombshell statement about his political future, Barnaby Joyce has announced he will split from the National Party and will not stand for the seat of New England again, saying his relationship with the National Party was “untenable”.
It comes amid growing speculation he was considering joining Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party.
Mr Joyce has been embittered since being dumped to the backbench by Nationals leader David Littleproud earlier this year.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.He had backed a leadership tilt by Michael McCormack and since his relegation, the 58-year-old NSW MP has been vocal in his opposition to renewable energy and pushed a private member’s Bill on net zero, causing widening divisions in the Liberal and National parties.
Senator Hanson claimed earlier this week on ABC radio that a high-profile Liberal defection was imminent.
“If they see that One Nation is offering a better alternative, where they can represent the people, it’s up to them to decide if they want to come across to One Nation,” she said.
In a statement, Mr Joyce did not mention One Nation but said his disastrous relationship with the leadership of the Nationals made his position in the party “untenable”.
“My relationship with the leadership of the Nationals in Canberra has unfortunately, like a sadness in some marriages, irreparably broken down,” he said.
“The instructions that during the federal election I was not to campaign outside New England as that did not represent the views of the Nationals, then after the election being moved on for “generational change” and just the atmospherics in the party room, where I am seated in the far corner of the Coalition in the chamber, means I am seen and now turning into a discordant note.
“That is not who I want to be.
“More importantly our position in continuing to support Net Zero with the massive schism and hurt to my electorate, to small businesses, to the environment, to the poor, to the defence of Australia and creating hate between lifelong friends in my community makes continuing in the Nationals’ Party Room in Canberra under this policy untenable.
“I will not be standing for New England again but will complete my term as promised at the last election.
“I will leave with the greatest of love for all and money in the electorate bank account.”
