Barnaby Joyce and Pauline Hanson: the former Deputy Prime Minister has officially joined the minor party. Photo: Pauline Hanson Facebook.
It must be a day ending in a Y. Barnaby Joyce has issued another statement about himself.
The former Deputy Prime Minister, the now-former Nationals MP, and the current relevance-seeking independent has officially joined One Nation.
He won’t be returning to the House of Representatives next year as the One Nation Member for New England, however.
Mr Joyce will sit in the Lower House and serve out his term as an independent until the next election is called.
Then he will run as a candidate on One Nation’s NSW senate ticket.
“There has been no more considered and serious decision than the one I make today to join One Nation,” Mr Joyce said in a statement on Monday (8 December).
He then went on to say that the two main reasons he is joining One Nation are that Australia’s current policy direction is wrong, and because his professional relationship with the Nationals leadership was “incongruous” with him giving his best.
“I believe that for Australia to be properly prepared for the formidable challenges that are before it, both domestically and in our region, we need to go forward with a suite of policies that are not driven by trying to placate sectional interests but rather put Australia first and centre,” he said.
“Policy should not be implemented by an attempt to please those whose foremost concern is not the regular Australian family paying the bills … Currently, at our centre, we have eviscerated our energy platform on a ludicrous quest to change the weather …
“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. I will let the voters be the ultimate arbiter of that decision.”
Mr Joyce appeared on Tamworth radio with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson to broadcast his move.
Ms Hanson said Mr Joyce was pushed to the backbench by the Nationals and felt “stifled” on policy.
“I think now that with Barnaby on board with One Nation, that we will push forward. We will hold both the Labor and the Opposition to account,” she said.
“I have always been very straightforward about asking Mr Joyce to join our team, and on making it clear this was always his decision.
“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 said that Ms Hanson has “driven the political agenda” and had made the Coalition, when he was in it, react.
He used the final week of Federal Parliament (Thursday, 27 November) to announce he had quit the Nationals.
The move had been anticipated for some weeks, as was joining One Nation.
“I believe the best thing for me to do for my nation is to be in a place where, without being too sophisticated with my words, efficacious, that is the capacity to go to work and deliver outcomes,” he said on Tamworth radio on Monday.
“Now I’m going to focus back on the Australian people.”
Nationals leader David Littleproud issued a statement describing Mr Joyce’s decision to join One Nation as “disappointing” and breaking the contract he made with the people of New England at this year’s federal election.
“One Nation is a party of protest, not a party of government,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Our regional representatives need to be able to get things done in government and that can only happen as part of a Coalition.
“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 supported Barnaby through many difficult times, including during his darkest moments.”
Mr Littleproud said the former party leader had turned his back on the Nationals and his electorate.
He added that while he has never had a personal problem with Mr Joyce, this issue is about “Barnaby wanting to be the leader of a party”.
Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Region Canberra.
