Nationals leader Michael McCormack backs ‘strong Coalition marriage’

Michael McCormack has hit back at Barnaby Joyce over claims he had failed to champion the Nationals by securing more ‘substantial’ ministry portfolios.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack at the opening of Huonville Stormwater Diversion project. Picture: Chris Kidd

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has hit back at his predecessor Barnaby Joyce over claims he had failed to champion the Nationals by securing more “substantial” ministry portfolios such as trade, defence and foreign affairs.

Mr Joyce reignited internal ­divisions when he suggested in The Australian on Wednesday that the political partnership had devolved into a “marriage of convenience” that could diminish the Coalition’s electoral prospects.

But Mr McCormack poured cold water over the claims, declaring the Coalition partnership was actually a “marriage of strength” and both parties were working ­together to deliver for regional Australia.

“The people out in the regions are relying on us for their jobs, for their futures, for water infrastructure, for road and rail and that’s what my focus is on,” he said.

“They’re not worried about the power struggles in Canberra.” Mr McCormack said communities were happy that mobile black spots were being fixed, roads sealed and infrastructure built.

“What the people of Australia want from their government is ­delivery and that’s what we’re doing,’’ he said.

‘‘That’s what my whole sole focus is on.

‘‘Building back Australia from the COVID recession (and) making sure that we’ve got the jobs for their families and their future and making sure that we roll out the infrastructure (needed).”

While Nationals MPs have previously said they expect Mr McCormack to lead the party to the next election — largely ­because the electorate would ­vilify them during a pandemic for focusing on themselves and ­because there was no clear alternative — there is growing concerns there hasn’t been enough cut-through in the regions.

Mr Joyce’s comments were the latest salvo in simmering tensions between the current and former Nationals leader after he unsuccessfully challenged for the leadership last February.

Senior government sources have since disputed the validity of Mr Joyce’s claims that the party did not have a fair share of portfolio responsibilities, with one ­declaring Mr McCormack had ­actually increased the number of Nationals in ministry positions from seven to eight.

“He bleats on about the ­defence and trade portfolios? Barnaby was Deputy PM for two years and what did he take back while in power? He’s just being politically opportunistic,’’ the source said.

“For a bloke that has had a few failings in this space he has a particular interest in the word marriage.”

Mr Joyce also used his piece to take aim at Scott Morrison for “sidelining” Mr McCormack by seating Josh Frydenberg to the right of the Prime Minister during question time — a place typically reserved for the Nationals leader.