Barnaby Joyce’s return to the Nationals leadership described as ‘very disappointing’ by senior party member

One outspoken senior member of the Nationals has described Barnaby Joyce returning to the leadership as ‘very disappointing’.

West Australian Nationals leader Mia Davies says it is “very disappointing” to see Barnaby Joyce return as the federal leader, and has urged him to rebuild trust with the party and voters.

The state opposition leader had previously called for Mr Joyce to quit as leader in 2018 after it was revealed he had an affair with former staffer Vikki Campion, who was pregnant with his child.

He also faced a sexual harassment allegation, which he vehemently denied.

“Three years on, it’s now up to Mr Joyce to rebuild that trust, and to prove that his focus is very much on regional Australia and making sure that we’ve got a government that’s ready to take us to the next election,” Ms Davies told reporters on Monday.

Nationals WA leader Mia Davies says she is disappointed to see Barnaby Joyce return to the federal leadership role. Picture: Matt Jelonek / Getty Images

Ms Davies said she had enjoyed a good working relationship with now-dumped leader Michael McCormack, adding that leadership changes were destabilising to parties.

“I think he’s done a good job for the last three-and-a-half-years,” she said.

“I’m disappointed that the party felt they needed to change leaders.

“I think it shows they’re focused on internal matters instead of the people of regional Australia.”

Asked if she was shocked by the move, Ms Davies said: “It’s disappointing that there’s been a leadership change ... nothing shocks me because I’ve been in this game for long enough to understand that you never say never.”

Further asked about the message being sent to women, Ms Davies said: “There will no doubt be some questions asked and I think the federal party will need to be able to answer that.”

Barnaby Joyce is the Nationals’ leaders again. Picture: Martin Ollman / NCA NewsWire

Ms Davies said the Nationals at a state level had worked hard to make the party a safe environment for women.

“Myself and others in the party have gone to great lengths to try and address some of the concerns we see across political parties, not just at a state level but at a federal level – and I’ll continue to do that,” she said.

Ms Davies said she expected to cross paths with Mr Joyce during future political campaigns, but added that the party was “always bigger than one individual”.

The Nationals do not have a federal representative in Western Australia.

The spill motion against Mr McCormack was moved by Senator Matt Canavan and seconded by MP David Gillespie on Monday morning.

Chief Nationals Whip Damian Drum described the Nationals as “the most democratic party” in Australia, but the exact count was unclear because the votes were confidential.

“He has to go through a process now to be sworn in, to have all the conversations, to talk to the Prime Minister and effectively get on with the job of representing our people,” Mr Drum said.