Joyce opts out of party room as Nats debate climate
Rogue MP Barnaby Joyce will not sit with the Nationals when they meet in Canberra after revealing his relationship with leader David Littleproud has broken down beyond repair.
But the former deputy prime minister has refused to represent New England voters as an independent as speculation runs rampant that he will defect to Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.
Asked if he would meet Senator Hanson as parliament meets over the next two weeks, Mr Joyce said it was a “free country”.
“I’m going to meet Pauline Hanson, I’ve met Pauline Hanson before,” he told reporters in Canberra on Monday.
“You’re actually allowed to meet other people. I’m talking to people from the Greens… I’m actually talking to other people outside of my own party.”
Mr Joyce said although he will not attend the National party hall this week, he will still sit in parliament with the regional party.
He said he had a brief and polite conversation with Mr Littleproud, lasting about three minutes, but declined to give further details about the conversation.
Mr Littleproud described the debate in similar terms.
Mr Joyce’s departure stemmed from a disagreement over climate policy, with the former leader calling on the coalition to abandon its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.
On Monday morning, Nationals MPs received an update on the internal review into net zero, led by outspoken climate skeptic Matt Canavan and his colleague Ross Cadell.
Mr Littleproud said the review was about developing serious policies, not just opposing the government’s plan.
“It’s great to sit there and pat yourself on the chest and say ‘no’, it’s the easiest thing to do in politics,” he told reporters in Canberra before the meeting.
“The hardest thing is, ‘What’s the alternative?’ means.”
He said Mr Joyce would be welcome to rejoin the Nationals at any time and encouraged his predecessor to come back and contribute.
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