Barnaby Joyce reclaims Nationals leadership after Michael McCormack spill

Barnaby Joyce has been re-elected Nationals leader after a leadership spill in Canberra today.

Barnaby Joyce has been re-elected Nationals leader after a leadership spill in Canberra today.

Mr Joyce is returning to the job three years after he resigned as deputy prime minister amid a storm of controversy.

The outcome means that Mr Joyce will be returned to the job as deputy prime minister and acting PM when Scott Morrison is overseas.

Mr Morrison remains confined to the Lodge and will participate in Question Time remotely via video link after a day of drama within the Coalition.

The spill motion was moved by Matt Canavan, who left the party room meeting just before 11.25am. He declined to discuss the outcome of the meeting.

Mr Joyce exited the meeting briskly, declining to speak to journalists and will hold a press conference on Monday afternoon.

The Nationals whip Damian Drum announced the result but as it’s a secret ballot he declined to declare the final leadership vote.

There is already speculation that Mr Joyce’s elevation spells problems for the PM.

Speaking outside the meeting, Mr McCormack said he was happy to serve in any capacity he was asked whether that was on the frontbench or the backbench.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese said the leadership crisis was a vote of no confidence in the government.

“This government had just two jobs this year. They had to roll out the vaccine, and they had to fix national quarantine. Now instead of rolling out the vaccine to the Australian people, they just concentrated on rolling each other,’’ he said.

“It’s a vote of no confidence in their own government. The fact is, if you want to end this circus, it’s time to end this government. I’ve seen governments be self-indulgent before and they get punished.”

McCormack earlier warned any challenger they will have to “blast him out” and urged his critics, including Mr Joyce, to think long and hard about their political futures.

Speaking in Canberra this morning just an hour before the scheduled party room meeting, Mr McCormack warned his colleagues that voters were sick of the drama and wanted the Nationals to get on with the job.

“If they want to bring any spills they will have to think about that,” he said.

“If I survive then … they should think long and hard.”

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Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

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Queensland Senator Matt Canavan came out this morning to support Mr Joyce saying he had been “upfront” about backing a change.

“I’ve called Michael and told him the same thing over the weekend. It’s not personal,’’ Senator Canavan said.

The Queensland Senator said the Nationals needed to put its “best foot forward” and he made no apologies for believing Mr Joyce was the better man for the job.

“I will leave Matt Canavan to explain what Matt Canavan says. I know I‘ve been good for regional Australia,” Mr McCormack replied.

Earlier, Mr Joyce damned Mr McCormack with faint praise on Channel 7‘s Sunrise and refused to rule out standing if an opportunity arose.

“There is no prospect of a spill at this point in time. I would just let that issue arise,” he said.

“I think he is doing the best job he can, he is a good bloke and has been working as hard as he can. The issue is in the next election and this is for the National Party and the Coalition in general.

“There are times where I think we could do things differently no doubt about that but that‘s a decision for the party room. I’ve read articles this week and which are so far ahead of the show, they’re entertaining, just not I’m not going to start delving into what is National party business, they can have that, they can make those discussions and decisions themselves.”

Barnaby Joyce is refusing to rule out going for the top job again. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

Asked if he would put his hand up for the job Mr Joyce wouldn’t rule it out.

“I would just let that issue arise. How about How about, now, if you are offered a lot more money to work for Channel 9 How about, now, if you are offered a lot more money to work for Channel 9, would you work for them?,” he told Sunrise’s Natalie Barr.

“Ask me if that happens. Ask me if that happens. The only person who can agree on the numbers is the first who says I wouldn‘t vote for you if you are the last person alive on earth. That person you can believe.”

Mr Joyce was also asked about a news.com.au report that he was within one vote of a majority “but women don‘t want you. Are they your problem?.”

“That is a question for you. Am I a problem to you?” Mr Joyce said.

Victorian Nationals MP Darren Chester predicted the party room meeting could prove a fizzer, despite the feverish speculation.

“I’ve heard the speculation. I don’t think there’s even going to be a spill motion today, and nor should there be. I think Michael McCormack is doing a very good job for our country, for regional Australia, in difficult circumstances,” Mr Chester told the ABC.

“Quite frankly, I actually think regional Australians more generally are tired of this bulldust. They want us absolutely focused on them, on the issues that matter to them, and so I think Michael will continue in his role throughout the day and lead us to the next election.”

ScoMo reacts

Prime Minister Scott Morrison praised Mr McCormack for providing “stable leadership”.

“We’ve worked very closely together and provided great stable leadership for Australia,” he told 2GB radio.

“The Nationals will have their discussions as they always do and we’ll just get on with the job.”

In a statement, Mr Morrison said the Coalition’s strong partnership would continue.

“I welcome Barnaby Joyce to the role of Leader of The Nationals and soon to be Deputy Prime Minister and I look forward to working closely together to ensure Australia continues its recovery from Covid-19 and the recession it caused,’’ he said.

“Our focus remains on two outcomes – protecting lives and protecting livelihoods, as we continue to bolster our vaccine roll out and build on the economic recovery that has led to the creation of almost one million jobs since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Speaking after his spill today, Mr McCormack lashed the white-anting against his leadership but insisted he did not hold grudges.

“I am a very loyal person. I have never ever held grudges,’’ Mr McCormack said.

He conceded he had not made a final decision on whether he will contest the next election.

To those that did background against him, he urged MPs to stop the destabilisation.

“Put your name to – for the sake of good government – and not just good government, for the people of Australia, if you are go say something, have the guts and gumption to put your name to it. Don’t background against your colleagues. It is not good for the Parliament. It is not good for democracy,’’ he said.

Mr McCormack declined to be drawn on the concerns of two female Nationals MPs that Mr Joyce may be a turn off for some female voters.

“You would have to ask women in regional Australia that,’’ he said.

“I am a man in regional Australia. You would have to ask a woman in regional Australia. Again, Barnaby has been elected democratically according to party traditions and all of the rest. He’s got more numbers than me this morning. Good luck to him. I respect that.”

The PM praised his deputy PM for his leadership. Picture: Adam Taylor/PMO