What you said about Barnaby Joyce resigning from Nationals, defect to One Nation
Barnaby Joyce’s massive political move has divided Aussies like never before. HAVE YOUR SAY
Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie says Barnaby Joyce’s legacy will be “trashed” by defecting to One Nation.
Many others have been even more harsh.
Mr Joyce officially quit the Nationals Party on Thursday, accusing party leader David Littleproud of only giving him a 90-second conversation after he first flagged he was contemplating a defection to One Nation.
“So after 30 years with the national party, I am resigning from the party, and that really leaves me with a heavy heart, and I apologise for all the hurt that that will cause other people,” he said.
My Joyce, who entered parliament as the MP for New England in 2013, was seen having dinner with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson on Monday, where she cooked him a wagyu steak on her parliament office sandwich press.
This followed weeks of speculation prompted by Mr Joyce not attending party room meetings.
Earlier this week, Mr Littleproud dismissed the dinner between Mr Joyce and Ms Hanson stating the One Nation veteran was “one of the few Australians that can probably afford wagyu steak”.
Mr Joyce has already confirmed he will not be recontesting his New England seat at the next federal election.
Readers piled into the debate, with many claiming Mr Joyce was making the right move.
Others, though, said this could be the end of his political career.
While some suggested the whole situation will end badly for everyone.
In an online poll about 60 per cent of readers voted that Mr Joyce has performed better than most other politicians.
See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>
WHAT YOU SAID
Joyce is a joker
JamieO3
I think they love the tax payers funded lifestyle much more and just play up to the media for stunts and attention, like all politicians.
brett
they both love living off US, the taxpayers
Tony
I have supported Barnaby Joyce since he entered politics. To say I’m bitterly disappointed in him today is an understatement. Remember, it was through the Nationals he reached the second highest level in the country. Remember the Nationals stood by him in the citizenship debacle. Very poor form today.
Marcus
The Nationals have made Joyce their leader twice, they’ve stood by him after the citizenship debacle and a number of other scandals, they’ve continued to be a conservative force in Canberra (anti-Voice, anti-Net Zero, pro nuclear) ... and now he’s leaving them because he’s bored on the back benches?
Poor form, Barnaby.
Go One Nation
Mr E
Barnaby and Pauline don’t fit into most politicians woke little world of a multicultural, net zero Australian utopia. They see what many of us see, it will divide and destroy the country.
Average Joe
What a cheap shot about the wagyu steak. No wonder the coalition is lost in no man’s land. I’m one of the new One Nation followers. Pauline loves Australia, has been consistent and extremely brave. She has my vote.
Anil
Barnaby is a supreme opportunist, good luck to him , it will be interesting if next election he flips back to the senate or takes on the more difficult task of the lower house.
anthony
The only two politicians in Australia that I trust,say what most Australians think. The rest are delusional and hellbent on destroying the place. Both have Australia’s interests at heart not like Albo and black out Bowen.
This won’t end well
NCRWB
Once he joins One Nation, the clock will start counting until he leaves. One Nation MPs almost always leave - usually because they realise that Pauline is an autocrat and they don’t like doing what they’re told. And I can’t imagine Barnaby doing what anyone tells him.
Edward
This is what happens when the conservatives aren’t conservatives. We do need a third party to vote for.
Bryan
There is no loyalty to parties anymore
A Queenslander
That’s nice but he was elected to Parliament as a National based on voters voting for a National candidate. How can any elected member cross to another party without causing a by-election for the seat they held.
Originally published as What you said about Barnaby Joyce resigning from Nationals, defect to One Nation