Barnaby Joyce Considers Shock Defection to One Nation, Further Fracturing Australian Coalition
A potential shift in Australian politics is underway as former Nationals leader Barnaby joyce is actively weighing a move to One Nation, according to figures within the Coalition. This advancement comes days after One Nation founder Pauline Hanson asserted that members of the liberal and National parties feel they have no future within the current political landscape.
One Nation representatives declined to comment on the reports circulating on Friday, including whether Hanson had directly engaged wiht Joyce regarding his political allegiance. However, the spokesperson did not refute the possibility of preliminary discussions. Sources close to Joyce and within senior party ranks indicated that the surprising move has been under consideration this week. Joyce himself has not responded to requests for comment.
Such a defection would represent a meaningful setback for current nationals leader David Littleproud and is expected to further destabilize the Coalition, currently led by opposition leader sussan Ley.
Several Nationals sources confirmed to Guardian Australia that a move by Joyce appears likely, while others expressed surprise at the reports surfacing Friday night. The tensions between Joyce and Littleproud have been steadily escalating as the federal election on May 3rd. Following the election, Joyce was moved to the backbench and has as become a vocal opponent of the government’s net zero by 2050 carbon policies, even introducing a private member’s bill aimed at dismantling the plan.
From his position on the backbench, the New South Wales MP has mounted a vigorous campaign against renewable energy projects, despite the Coalition’s ongoing review of its net zero policy.Earlier this year,Joyce notably crossed the floor in the House of Representatives to initiate debate on the issue. One Nation is fundamentally opposed to the net zero target.
Joyce recently offered public support to his former rival, and another past Nationals leader, Michael mccormack, in a potential leadership challenge, though both McCormack and Joyce have denied any immediate plans for a challenge.
This speculation follows the recent defection of a senior Nationals official, Steve Coxhead, to One Nation last week. Coxhead, who resigned as Tamworth branch chair in Joyce’s electorate of New England, explained his decision by stating, “I have resigned as I believe the party does not adequately represent NSW regional and rural voters any more.”
Hanson revealed on ABC radio this week that another high-profile defection from the Liberal party is imminent, with a former Liberal president reportedly prepared to join One Nation. “There are people who are coming across to One Nation as they see that there’s no future with the Liberal-National party,” Hanson stated. However, she emphasized that she is not actively recruiting MPs.
“These people have to make up thier own minds. they’re elected members of parliament. They have to realize … are they really making a difference by just going along with the political party and putting up their hand when they’re told to put up their hand?” Hanson continued. “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.”
In a separate interview with Seven News on Friday,Hanson named former Coalition frontbenchers Andrew Hastie and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price as individuals she believes would be better suited within One Nation,asserting they are “in the wrong party.”
Support for One Nation has been steadily increasing in recent polls, reaching 12% in a recent resolve survey and 10% in newspoll, signaling a potential shift in the Australian political landscape.
