Party Games: Barnaby Joyce debacle could lead to all-out political warfare

THE unprecedented war of words between Malcolm Turnbull and Barnaby Joyce could bring fatal tumult to Coalition politics in Canberra, writes Dennis Atkins.

• Joyce lashes out at PM
• Barnaby at wit’s end
• Be careful what you wish for

THE unprecedented war of words between Malcolm Turnbull and Barnaby Joyce could bring fatal tumult to Coalition politics in Canberra if it’s not sorted out.

For almost 100 years the two conservative parties, representing the city and country, have bonded together in a variety of coalitions, only splitting twice.

PM Malcolm Turnbull and Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce during Question Time yesterday. Picture: Kym Smith

After the 1972 election defeat they went their separate ways but reunited two years later and then in 1987 the disastrous Joh-for-PM push blew the parties apart.

These parties have never faced a stand-off in government — until now.

After Turnbull excoriated Joyce for a “shocking error of judgment” — calling out his behaviour four times — and invited his deputy to think about his future, Joyce returned fire by calling his leader “inept” and “unnecessary” and said the Prime Minister had caused further harm.

The extent of the chaos engulfing the Government was shown when Turnbull addressed the media in Tasmania, repeating his belief Joyce will work through his future, at the very time the Deputy PM was about to front the cameras in Canberra.

Turnbull had no idea Joyce was going to speak, let alone what he might say.

“(Joyce) has to form his view on his circumstances, he has a lot to reflect on given what has happened, and I say again, he has made some big errors of judgement and he acknowledges that,” said Turnbull.

Moments later, Joyce blasted his boss’s “inept” comments and the impact of what he’d said as well as giving Turnbull a reminder of the ability of the Nationals tail to wag the Government dog.

PM Malcolm Turnbull during yesterday’s fiery press conference at Parliament House. Picture: Kym Smith

“In regards to the National Party, there is nothing that we dislike more than implied intervention into the party processes of the National Party. We are an independent political unit,” he said.

The Liberals and Nationals have to sort this out. If they don’t, there will be all-out political warfare with the junior Coalition MPs going their own way.