Michael McCormack: Deputy PM role confirmed

AUSTRALIA has a new Deputy Prime Minister - but on the day of his big promotion, some disturbing words from his past are refusing to go away.

MICHAEL McCormack, the man who once penned a shocking homophobic tirade against gay people in a newspaper article, is Australia’s new Deputy Prime Minister.

Mr McCormack was this morning elected as Nationals leader, defeating George Christensen in a party room vote after his main opponent David Gillespie withdrew from the race.

The Member for Riverina replaces Barnaby Joyce who announced he was resigning as leader of the Nationals on Friday.

However it was Mr Joyce who quickly drew attention when he rolled his eyes during a press conference with the new leader.

For some questions, there is no reaction except this. Picture: Screengrab/Sky News

Mr Joyce was standing at the back of the group, determinedly keeping an impassive expression on his face, when Mr McCormack was asked if he was just keeping the seat warm until Mr Joyce staged a comeback.

Mr Joyce reacts to the question over the party’s future leadership. Picture: Screengrab/Sky News

Mr Joyce rolled his eyes and gave a small shake of his head, while others in the group laughed. He then rolled his eyes again and smiled as Mr McCormack responded.

“I’ve been elected to do the job by the National Party,” Mr McCormack said.

Mr Joyce couldn’t hide his reaction. Picture: Screengrab/Sky News

“As I said Barnaby Joyce will play an important part in our party and in our nation going forward and I look forward to working with him to overcoming some of the challenges that are faced by rural and regional people.

The former leader rolls his eyes at the suggestion Michael McCormack is just keeping the seat warm for his return. Picture: Screengrab/Sky News

“I’ve always been good mates with Barnaby and I’ve been kicked out of Parliament defending him a bit too rigorously at times.”

THE PAST MCOCRMACK CAN’T HIDE

The election of Mr McCormack has raised eyebrows, particularly because of an article he penned in 1993.

The former newspaper editor once wrote a column demonising gay people and describing homosexuality as “sordid”.

Michael McCormack's column written in 1993.

The then-editor of Wagga Wagga’s Fairfax-owned local paper The Daily Advertiser, also described gay people as “unnatural” and blamed same-sex attracted people for the AIDS epidemic.

“A week never goes by anymore that homosexuals and their sordid behaviour don’t become further entrenched in society,” Mr McCormack wrote in his vile “From the editor’s desk” column.

“Unfortunately gays are here and, if the disease their unnatural acts helped spread doesn’t wipe out humanity, they’re here to stay.

“How can these people call for rights when they’re responsible for the greatest medical dilemma known to man — AIDS.”

The Veterans’ Affairs minister has apologised throughout his career for the shocking column, and insists he no longer holds those views.

He also voted in favour of same-sex marriage.

During the gay marriage debate last August, he said: “I have grown and learnt not only to tolerate but to accept all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, or any other trait or feature which makes each of us different and unique.”

Sydney City councillor Christine Forster, who was a vocal campaigner for gay marriage, acknowledged the editorial was written a long time ago

“He’s said he doesn’t hold those views anymore and you’ve got to take that at face value,” she said yesterday, adding the Riverina MP “did the right thing” by not opposing same-sex marriage reform in late 2017.

Ms Forster — whose brother, former PM Tony Abbott, opposes marriage equality — insists people can “evolve” over time.

NEW LEADER’S MESSAGE

Mr Joyce announced his resignation as leader of the Nationals during a press conference in Armidale on Friday.

It followed a tumultuous month for the beleaguered politician.

Pressure had been mounting on Mr Joyce ever since it was revealed that he had an affair with his staffer Vikki Campion, who is now his partner.

They are living together and due to have a baby in April.

Mr Joyce will remain as the member for New England on the backbench.

Announcing the news of the new Nationals leader, party whip Michelle Landry this morning confirmed there was a contested leadership ballot, between Mr Christensen and Mr McCormack.

Nationals Whip Michelle Landry announcing the results of the Nationals leadership meeting. Picture: Mick Tsikas/AAP

However she refused to reveal the outcome of that vote.

“Michael McCormack is now the new leader,” she said.

“That is very exciting. I would also like to say I bought myself a new whip this week to keep the boys in line in the party room.”

Ms Landry refused to say why Mr Christensen believed he was a viable candidate and only said: “What happens in the party room stays in the party room.”

Mr Joyce had been very supportive of Mr McCormack and the former leader would play an important part in their future path, she said.

PARTY ‘UNITED’

Speaking after the vote, Mr McCormack promised to be a team player who will do his best for the country.

He spoke about moving forward as a united team and promised to keep fighting for rural and regional Australia while embracing his “good mate George”.

“We come to Canberra and we do our very best for the people we serve. We have been doing this for over 90 years,” Mr McCormack said.

He then thanked Mr Joyce for being an outstanding leader.

“I want to place on record an acknowledgment for Barnaby Joyce,” he said.

“He has been an outstanding leader. His service to our party and to our nation will never be diminished. His legacy will endure. And his continued work for and behalf of our nation, for and behalf of our party and for and an behalf of regional Australia will also continue.”

Mr McCormack reaffirmed the party’s ambitions going forward and also spoke about the diversity and skill set of the party.

Mr McCormack said the government faces huge challenges ahead. Picture: Mick Tsikas/AAP

“We are the party of farmers, that is what we are based on, but we are a party for so many other things,” he said.

“Looking at the people behind me, serving alongside me working together for rural and regional Australia, they come from all different backgrounds of life. They bring together a skill set unmatched. They are fantastic people.”

Mr McCormack warned the government faced a huge challenge ahead but said “Bill Shorten would be the worst outcome for Australia”.

In a statement today Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull offered his congratulations to Mr McCormack, calling him a strong advocate for rural Australia.

“He will continue his party’s long tradition of standing up for farmers and all those living in regional Australia,” he said.

“The Liberal Party has been in coalition with the Nationals for more than seventy years and our enduring and successful political partnership will continue under Michael’s leadership of the National Party.”

— With AAP