Barnaby Joyce, the renegade member of the National Party, is being encouraged to return to the party after a controversial dinner with One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson. David Littleproud, the Nationals’ leader, expressed his desire for Joyce to rejoin the party room, emphasizing the importance of his role to both the party and his constituents.
Joyce, who represents New England, announced last month that he planned to leave the Nationals, citing a breakdown in relations with the party leadership. Speculation has surrounded his potential shift to One Nation, particularly following a late-night dinner with Hanson in her office where they shared premium wagyu steaks. Littleproud acknowledged that Joyce had requested “time and space” but made clear that the door remains open for his return.
“We want him back into our party room because that’s the contract that he and the people of New England signed,” Littleproud told Sky News. He hopes Joyce will reconsider and contribute to the party’s future.
Responses to Joyce’s dinner with Hanson have varied within the Coalition. Sussan Ley, the Opposition Leader, chose to sidestep direct questions about the implications of Joyce’s potential departure. She stated, “What he does is entirely up to him,” while also acknowledging that local voters might have concerns regarding Joyce’s affiliation.
Joyce’s dinner with Hanson coincided with her controversial act of wearing a burqa in the Senate, which led to her suspension. Hanson has previously indicated that Joyce is “more aligned with One Nation” than the National Party, further fueling speculation about his political future.
In the broader political landscape, Deputy Liberal leader Ted O’Brien has expressed his ambitions under a potential Ley-led government, though he refrained from discussing his own leadership aspirations. During a recent address at the National Press Club, O’Brien stated, “My ambition is to be the next treasurer of Australia,” but did not clarify his plans beyond supporting Ley.
Ley’s leadership has been under scrutiny in light of recent opinion polls and the decision to scrap the Coalition’s net zero emissions target. This move has raised concerns among moderate factions within the party, who view it as a concession to the conservative elements in the Coalition.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers weighed in on the leadership dynamics, suggesting that O’Brien’s actions might mirror those of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, indicating a potential undermining of Ley’s authority. Chalmers remarked, “The member for Fairfax might look like Scott Morrison, but more and more, he sounds like the member for Hume,” referring to Angus Taylor.
As the political landscape shifts, the future of Barnaby Joyce and the direction of the National Party remain uncertain. The upcoming months will likely reveal whether Joyce chooses to return to his party or align himself with One Nation, marking a significant turning point for both him and the Nationals.
