Nationals’ plan to avoid new Barnaby Joyce leadership challenge

Barnaby Joyce says there are “no circumstances” under which he would launch another bid for the Nationals leadership, but some of his colleagues are so unconvinced they are feverishly working on a plan to insure against him changing his mind.

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Barnaby Joyce says there are “no circumstances” under which he would launch another bid for the Nationals leadership, but some of his colleagues are so unconvinced they are feverishly working on a plan to insure against him changing his mind — a new party rule requiring a two-thirds majority to bring on a ballot.

Although Michael McCormack saw off Mr Joyce in the secret ballot of 21 National MPs the two camps — in a sign of continuing divisions — couldn’t agree on the margin.

Mr McCormack claimed a healthy majority of 15-6, while Mr Joyce’s team said he lost by one vote, 11-10, a result rubbished by opponents. “I think that’s absolute garbage,” said Queensland MP Michelle Landry. “I would say there was only six maybe seven against (Mr McCormack) from having conversations with people.”

Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce in parliament on Tuesday. Picture: AAP’s Lukas Coch

One source close to Mr Joyce said the former leader lost support in the lead-up to ballot as Mr McCormack had offered promotions to win back MPs. “Put it this way, he didn’t get votes because people think he is a good leader,” they said.

Another source said the natural reluctance of newly elected members to roll a leader was a factor in Mr McCormack’s success.

The Deputy Prime Minister said he believed his supporters, included former deputy Bridget McKenzie, who will remain Nationals senate leader, and David Littleproud, who replaces her as the party’s deputy.

Resources Minister Matt Canavan quit cabinet to back Mr Joyce. His role is tipped to go to fellow Queenslander Keith Pitt.

Meanwhile, Victorian MP Darren Chester, who called the decision to hold a spill on the day parliament commemorated bushfire victims “abhorrent,” is also expected to earn a promotion. Ms McKenzie’s resignation as Agriculture Minister creates a cabinet vacancy. If it’s given to Mr Chester, his outer ministry position heading up Veterans Affairs could go to another McCormack loyalist.

Michael McCormack believes Mr Joyce will be a team player. Picture: Gary Ramage

Mr McCormack said the result should end further threats to his leadership.

“Hopefully the cue is now in the rack,” he said. “(Barnaby) understands that he’s had his crack.”

Last night Mr Joyce said he was “surprisingly at ease” with his loss and was ready to get back to work.

“There are no circumstances for which I would ever contemplate that again,” he told Seven News.

Victorian MP Anne Webster said she intended to bring a motion to Monday’s National Party room meeting to increase the threshold for a leadership spill, which currently only requires a proponent and seconder.