Barnaby Joyce defects to One Nation, Nationals criticise ‘disappointing’ move

Former Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has defected to Pauline Hanson’s One Nation. Mr Joyce will continue to represent New England as a One Nation MP in parliament until the next federal election, at which he will lead the party’s New South Wales Senate ticket. “I am firmly of the view which I have considered over a long period of time that the best choice before me is to stand for One Nation as a Senator for NSW,” the former Nationals MP said in a statement on Monday morning. “I will let the voters be the ultimate arbiter of that decision.” The New England MP’s decision to join One Nation was driven by two key points, including policies designed not to “placate sectional interests but rather put Australia first and centre”, and a breakdown in his relationship with the Nationals, he said. Immigration and energy were both critical areas, he added. “Currently at our centre we have eviscerated our energy platform on a ludicrous quest to change the weather,” Mr Joyce, who joined the Nationals in 1995, said. “Energy is central to our standard of living, strength of an economy and resilience in defence. “We have tried to remove all risks with mountains of regulations that have reduced rights, not improved them.” He also claimed Labor was increasing population “through immigration” and had “removed the capacity for Australians to buy a home, have a family and increase our population by our own means”. As part of the Nationals, he was no longer in an “effective” position to target these priorities, Mr Joyce said. “It is unfortunate, but my professional relationship within The Nationals between myself and the Leadership had become incongruous with me giving my best,” he said. “In the last two months no one has said to me that this breakdown in the relationship was not the case. “I had therefore decided to either resign from parliament or, if choosing to continue, find a more conducive way to achieve the best outcome in pursuing the task that is required to be done.” This year, One Nation doubled its representation on the crossbench after clinching four seats in the election. The two extra seats, in NSW and Western Australia, had earlier polled with Labor ahead, before the Australian Electoral Commission called them for the populist party’s candidates Warwick Stacey and Tyron Whitten, respectively. The party’s popularity has also surged among voters, with a November Redbridge poll finding One Nation’s primary vote had risen to a poll-record 18 per cent, while the Coalition plummeted to 24 per cent. The same polling found One Nation was regarded by voters as the party best suited to tackle immigration, leading by 27 per cent, followed by Labor’s 20 per cent and the Coalition’s 19 per cent. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson welcomed Mr Joyce’s decision. “I have always been very straightforward about asking Mr Joyce to join our team, and on making it clear this was always his decision,” Senator Hanson said in a statement on Monday. “I am pleased he’s chosen One Nation, and I welcome his experience, his advice and his determination to get a fair go for farmers and regional Australia. “Mr Joyce strengthens One Nation’s position in parliament just as many Australians are strengthening our position in the polls. “One Nation’s support is growing across the country. “Voters are looking for leadership on the issues which matter to them, like getting rid of net zero and Labor’s record immigration. “Voters know exactly where I stand on these issues, and in recent weeks I think Mr Joyce has been very clear where he stands too.” Senator Hanson added One Nation’s commitment to abandon net zero, exit the Paris Agreement and focus on lowering power bills had been “an important factor in Mr Joyce’s decision”. “I look forward to working with Mr Joyce and One Nation’s Senate team as we continue to expose and oppose the Albanese Labor government’s agenda,” she said. Nationals leader David Littleproud criticised Mr Joyce for his “disappointing” decision, saying the New England MP had turned his back on his electorate. “One Nation is a party of protest, not a party of government,” he said. “Our regional representatives need to be able to get things done in government and that can only happen as part of a Coalition. “Today, Barnaby’s decision breaks the contract he made with the people of New England at the 2025 Federal Election. “It is disappointing for the people of New England and disappointing for the loyal National Party members who worked day and night volunteering to support him.” The Nationals had supported Mr Joyce through his “darkest moments”, Mr Littleproud added. “Barnaby has chosen to turn his back on The Nationals and on his electorate and instead join a party of protest, which is never able to achieve anything other than headlines. “I have never had a personal issue or problem with Barnaby Joyce. This issue is about Barnaby wanting to be the Leader of a party.” He said the Nationals would continue to fight for “real outcomes” for local communities.