Barnaby responds to ‘generational change’ claim as he’s cut from frontbench

Former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has railed against suggestions the new opposition cabinet will be centred on “generational change” after he was axed from the frontbench.

Barnaby Joyce won’t be named on the Coalition frontbench. Photo: Tom Parrish

Former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has railed against suggestions the new opposition cabinet will be centred on “generational change”, as he and fellow veteran Nationals MP Matt Canavan confirmed they won’t be named on the Coalition frontbench later today.

Mr Joyce hit out at the idea the new shadow ministry will be focused on new blood, saying he was younger than other frontbenchers such as Nationals deputy leader Kevin Hogan.

“That’s fine, really (the decision to exclude some MPs from the frontbench) is made on personality,” he said.

“Let’s start off by all being straight, and say ‘I have made the decision (to exclude you from the frontbench) on personality and policy’.”

Mr Joyce said it was “not entirely” right to say he was disappointed to be excluded from the frontbench, saying he would continue to pursue the axing of commitments to get to net zero by 2050.

Barnaby Joyce during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

He said the party wouldn’t be doing their job if they agreed to net zero.

“If you’ve got the Liberals, Labor, Nationals and the Greens, all supporting net zero, that’s not doing the job the Australian people need – it is disastrous for the defence (and the) economy of our nation… there’s never been a better (example) of its dire effect than the approved increase in power prices,” he said.

“It’s a swindle on the Australian people, to the benefit of multinationals and domestic billionaires.”

Mr Canavan, who also confirmed he would continue to push for the dropping of net zero commitments from the backbench, wouldn’t say if he was offered a portfolio or not.

“But I am happy on the backbench and do not want a position,” Mr Canavan, who lost a post-election leadership spill against Mr Littleproud, said.

It comes as Sussan Ley and David Littleproud are set to announce today a deal has been struck to bring the Coalition back together, after their post-election split.

Both leaders are in Canberra and are expected to stand up for a press conference later today to unveil the shadow cabinet.

Ms Ley has spent the morning calling MPs who will make up the opposition’s shadow ministry, several sources confirmed.

Meanwhile, Mr Littleproud helmed an online meeting of Nationals MPs on Wednesday morning, where it’s expected he informed members of their shadow cabinet positions.