Dawson MP George Christensen firm on retiring from politics but Barnaby Joyce has other ideas

Christensen will still be Dawson MP after the next election despite saying he would retire — if the Deputy PM’s hopes and dreams are fulfilled.

Dawson MP George Christensen. Picture: Matt Taylor

George Christensen will still be Dawson MP after the next election despite saying he would retire — at least according to Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce’s hopes and dreams.

Newly resurrected Nationals leader Mr Joyce, during Question Time, said he was “doing everything I can to make sure the member for Dawson remains the member for Dawson after the next election”.

But Mr Christensen has already announced he is retiring at the next election.

The Dawson MP underlined his commitment to getting out of politics again this week, amid fervent speculation he was considering going back on his word following Mr Joyce’s second go as leader of the Nationals.

“While I’m humbled by the support, the situation has not changed and I will not be contesting the next election,” Mr Christensen said this week.

Mr Joyce had taken a dixer during Question Time from the Dawson MP about infrastructure projects in Mackay when he made the quip.

“We want to make sure, I’m doing everything I can, to make sure the member for Dawson remains, is the member of Dawson after the next election because of the advocacy that he has – that he has done,” Mr Joyce said.

Mr Christensen went a shade of red, laughed, and shook his head in disbelief at the remark.

It’s unclear if Mr Joyce forgot his colleague was retiring or if he is not so secretly trying to convince him to run again.