Barnaby Joyce won’t leave Coalition over abortion furore

Morrison government ministers play down Barnaby Joyce’s threat to leave the Nationals over the divisive NSW abortion debate.

Barnaby Joyce during a rally against the Reproductive Health Care Reform Bill 2019, in Sydney’s Martin Place. Picture:Justin Lloyd.

Senior Morrison government ministers have played down Barnaby Joyce’s threat to leave the Nationals over the divisive abortion debate in the NSW parliament but have defended his right to speak his mind on the issue.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton and Nationals leader Michael McCormack have both leapt to Mr Joyce’s defence when asked whether Mr Joyce should be ejected from the Coalition over his high-profile intervention in the NSW abortion bill.

The former deputy prime minister has drawn the ire of state Nationals leader John Barilaro over his strident anti-abortion stance.

His decision to voice robocalls to constituents opposing the NSW legislation, which is subject to a conscience vote and due to come back to the Upper House next month, has drawn accusations from NSW Nationals that he is interfering in their jurisdiction.

Ten out of the 12 NSW Nationals support the bill and there was discussion at the partyroom meeting this week about whether to expel him from the party.

Mr Joyce yesterday told 7 News he could leave the party if four of his colleagues publicly spoke out against him. “If we can get four at a press conference to say so I will leave,” he said.

EXCLUSIVE: Barnaby Joyce has threatened to quit the Nationals and rob the government of its one seat majority. #7NEWS

Posted by 7NEWS Australia on Thursday, 22 August 2019

Mr Dutton this morning hosed down Mr Joyce’s comments about leaving the party, which would reduce the government to a one-seat majority.

“He’s not going to pull the pin - he is of the National Party and he will remain there,” Mr Dutton told Nine’s Today.

Mr McCormack this morning told ABC Radio National that the abortion legislation was a matter for the state’s parliament but he has made it clear in other interviews that Mr Joyce was “free to speak his mind.”

Some NSW Nationals are furious with Mr Joyce for trying to meddle in state affairs, but Mr Dutton said the maverick MP should not be punished for his beliefs.

“Barnaby has a set of core beliefs - he is speaking to those beliefs - we live in a democracy where people can speak and you can disagree or agree with them,” he said. “I don’t think you chastise him on that basis.”

Mr Joyce has come under fire in recent days from NSW Nationals MPs and some NSW voters after he organ­ised robocalls across the state ­denouncing the planned decriminalisation bill — a move that has reportedly enraged his state Nationals colleagues