Bridget McKenzie made Nationals deputy leader

BARNABY Joyce’s new deputy leader of the Nationals Bridget McKenzie is a a strong proponent of changing Australia’s gun laws and loves a good laugh.

Deputy PM and Leader of the Nationals Barnaby Joyce and New Deputy National Leader Bridget McKenzie at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith

BRIDGET McKenzie has addressed the recent Nationals backbench revolt that sparked Malcolm Turnbull’s stunning backflip on a Royal Commission last week as she was appointed deputy leader of the Nationals party today.

The Victorian senator, a strong proponent of changing Australia’s gun laws, was elected by her federal colleagues in a ballot at Parliament House this morning after a return by ousted dual citizen Fiona Nash was ruled out yesterday.

Senator McKenzie has been promoted from the backbench to cabinet. It is unclear who will be moved out of cabinet to make way for her.

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National Party leader Barnaby Joyce (right) congratulates newly elected deputy leader of the Nationals Bridget McKenzie. Picture: AAP

Nationals’ leader Barnaby Joyce welcomed Senator McKenzie’s appointment today after his own return to Parliament yesterday.

Both leaders were grilled about the Nationals’ backbench plotting a revolt on the banking royal commission and Queensland MP George Christensen’s threat to quit the government unless Malcolm Turnbull was replaced as leader when they addressed media in Canberra today.

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Bridget McKenzie was elected deputy Nationals leader this morning after a return by ousted dual citizen Fiona Nash was ruled out yesterday. Picture: Supplied

A serious-faced Joyce simply warned “the Cat in the Hat is back” when asked about the behaviour on the Nine Network’s Today Show this morning.

Senator McKenzie said: “I think George like all of us in the party room is excited about having our leadership in place and getting on with our agenda for regional Australia.”

She said it was “very, very humbling” to be elected deputy leader, while vowing to focus on economic growth in the regions.

The Nationals’ new Deputy Leader Bridget McKenzie. Picture: Kym Smith

A comeback for former Senator Fiona Nash was yesterday ruled out when the High Court published it’s decision on Liberal candidate Hollie Hughes’ eligibility.

The court found Ms Hughes “forfeited the opportunity” to benefit in any future recount of ballot papers when she took a taxpayer-funded job with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in June.

Section 44 of the constitution disqualifies from parliament anyone who holds an “office of profit under the Crown”.

Liberal candidate Jim Molan is now expected to take up the vacant spot in the senate for NSW.