Major Political Defection Rocks Australian Politics
In a dramatic political realignment, Barnaby Joyce is expected to officially leave the Nationals and join Pauline Hanson's One Nation today. The New England MP and former deputy prime minister had first signalled his intention to depart the Nationals last month, pointing to significant disagreements with the party leadership and its since-abandoned net-zero policy as key reasons for his exit.
The Steak Dinner That Sealed the Deal
The anticipated move follows a casual steak dinner between Joyce and Hanson on Tuesday, fulfilling her earlier promise to cook for him if he considered defecting. The meal, prepared in Hanson's office using a sandwich press to sear the steak, was served with salad, potato bake, and berry pie. Joyce later described the unconventional dinner as 'actually brilliant'.
This culinary diplomacy occurred shortly after Senator Hanson generated controversy by donning a burqa in parliament, echoing a similar stunt from 2017, after the chamber refused her request to debate a bill banning the face-covering. Joyce defended his prospective move by stating, 'We wouldn't be having this conversation if those senators in the chamber allowed Pauline Hanson to put forward her private members bill'.
Political Fallout and Party Reactions
Despite his party switch, Joyce confirmed he will not contest his seat in the next election but intends to remain in parliament until then. Being moved to the backbench following the May election significantly influenced his decision, with Joyce remarking, 'I don't like being sort of stuck down the back in a corner. I'm a front row forward ... and that's where I like to play'.
The defection comes as One Nation experiences a recent wave of polling success, with voters increasingly turning toward the populist party over the coalition. However, Nationals senator Matt Canavan expressed scepticism about Joyce's move, questioning One Nation's electoral record. 'I mean, come on, Barnaby, do you really want to go and join the circus, or do you want to stay in a real team that's really focused on delivering change?' he told Sky News.
Canavan, known for his anti-net zero stance, characterised Joyce's potential jump to One Nation as a 'longer saga than Days of Our Lives' and claimed that 'people are all sick and tired of it'. This development marks one of the most significant political defections in recent Australian politics, potentially reshaping the landscape ahead of the next election.
