Barnaby Joyce makes bombshell announcement amid One Nation speculation
Former National leader Barnaby Joyce has announced he will not seek re-election for the New England seat at the next election, saying his relationship with party leaders has “broken down beyond repair”.
Mr Joyce issued a statement on Saturday confirming the shock move, amid speculation that he was discussing joining One Nation.
“My relationship with the Nationals leadership in Canberra has unfortunately broken down as irreparably as some marriages do,” Mr Joyce said in a statement.
“I will not run for office in New England again, but I will finish my term as I promised in the last election.”
The senior MP said he would have preferred more time to think over the decision but felt compelled to explain his intentions after the news broke.
“Instructions during the federal election that I would not campaign outside New England because it did not represent the views of the National Party, then taking action for a ‘generational change’ after the election, and only seeing the atmosphere in the party room where I sat in the farthest corner of the Coalition, means that I have been seen and have now struck a discordant note,” he said.
“This is not who I want to be.
“More importantly, our position on continuing to support Net Zero with the massive division and harm it is causing to my constituents, small businesses, the environment, the poor, the defense of Australia and creating hatred among lifelong friends in my community makes it untenable to continue this policy in the National Party Room in Canberra.
“I will leave leaving everyone with the greatest love and money in the voters’ bank account.”
Mr Joyce said he was now free to consider all his options on what to do next.
“I hope members understand my unfortunate situation and the obvious action I must take after some consideration,” he said.
“I wish I had been given more time to think about it and I didn’t know the motives of those coming up with the story.
“I am so sorry for the pain this may have caused and my deepest love goes out to you all.”
More to come.
