Andrew Bolt: Why shouldn’t Joyce join One Nation, to take over once Hanson decides to step down?
Barnaby Joyce is one of Canberra’s most arresting politicians and he certainly still has plenty to offer – to Pauline Hanson and Australia.
I normally despise rats who quit the party that got them elected. You know the type – Lidia Thorpe, Fatima Payman.
But Barnaby Joyce now quitting the Nationals to almost certainly join Pauline Hanson’s One Nation?
What a positive difference that would make.
Besides, who’s quitting whom?
Joyce is one of Canberra’s most arresting politicians, a born communicator who became Deputy Prime Minister.
But his party has made very clear it would rather he now shut up. At the last election, Nationals leader David Littleproud banned this gifted campaigner from campaigning in any seat but his own, and has since stripped him of even his minor shadow portfolio.
So why shouldn’t Joyce now join One Nation, to take over once Hanson, now 71, decides in her own sweet time to step down?
Joyce certainly still has plenty to offer – to Hanson and Australia.
Disillusion with the Opposition is growing, and Sussan Ley’s leadership seems already terminal. After five months in the job, she still hasn’t released a substantial policy or even philosophy.
By the time she does work out what she stands for, no one will believe it’s because of her unshakeable principles.
Joyce, however, has some, and has campaigned particularly hard against the net-zero global warming policies that are costing multi-billions, destroying heavy industries and vandalising our countryside – all without making any difference to the climate.
Hanson would welcome Joyce’s grunt on that issue, especially now that One Nation has doubled its support in the polls since the last election, when it boosted its Senate team to four seats – as many as Joyce’s Nationals.
So Barnaby would also be odds on to give One Nation a fifth Senate seat at the next election, which would earn if official parliamentary party status, and more staff resources. It would also be a serious player in passing legislation.
But there will be much more to Joyce’s role. Hanson has battled with huge courage to build her party, but One Nation has rarely looked much more than a one-woman show, led by someone who for all her guts does not look prime ministerial or even deputy prime ministerial.
But with former deputy PM Barnaby Joyce, still just 58, as leader?
Yes, that could only happen years from now and with Hanson’s willing consent. Joyce knows there cannot be even a rumour of any undermining.
But with Joyce, One Nation cannot just survive Hanson leaving, but gain serious intent.
Originally published as Andrew Bolt: Why shouldn’t Joyce join One Nation, to take over once Hanson decides to step down?
