Barnaby Joyce: Farm groups silent on Joyce’s return to Nationals leadership

Farm groups are keeping tight-lipped on Barnaby Joyce’s return, but the Victorian Nationals deputy has made her feelings very clear.

Barnaby Joyce in Question Time following Monday’s leadership spill. Picture: Lukas Coch/AAP

Farm groups are remaining tight-lipped about the return of Barnaby Joyce as Deputy Prime Minister, while Victorian Nationals have made clear their frustrations over his ascent.

The new Nationals leader and former agriculture minister was officially sworn in Tuesday morning, after toppling Michael McCormack in Monday’s leadership spill.

It comes three years after he was forced to resign from the party’s top job following allegations of sexual harassment. The Nationals’ internal investigation of that complaint was inconclusive.

Mr Joyce’s return is expected to see the Nationals take a harder line against key federal policy issues, chiefly climate and energy policy, with several Nats stating publicly they will refuse to back a net-zero by 2050 carbon emissions target.

It’s also speculated Mr Joyce could seek assurances in the new Coalition agreement that agriculture is exempted from any further emissions-reduction action, something a number of Nationals have previously called for.

The National Farmers’ Federation – which does support a net-zero target, and doesn’t back a “carve out” for agriculture from emissions targets – has not commented on Mr Joyce’s return, beyond a single tweet.

“The NFF thanks (Michael McCormack) for his contribution as DPM and Leader of the Nationals and looks forward to continuing to advance the future of agriculture with the support of Barnaby Joyce,” it said.

Other farm lobbies contacted by The Weekly Times did not respond, or expressed no comment.

Mr Joyce’s five-year tenure as agriculture and water minister was met with mixed reception from industry, With Victorian farmers often perceiving him to have ignored the state.

Meanwhile, rural women leaders have expressed their misgivings at his return. Victorian Nationals deputy Steph Ryan was blunt in her assessment to media on Tuesday morning.

“I’ve been very clear in the past that I’ve had real reservations about the things that have occurred in the past, I’ve made no secret of that,” Ms Ryan said.

“I’ve said in the past I don’t think Barnaby should be leader. That’s obviously a decision for the federal party room, but I am disappointed.”

Her sentiments were echoed by Australian Women in Agriculture founder Alana Johnson, and WA Nationals leader Mia Davies.

Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh issued a statement that praised Mr McCormack as a “great friend” and “fearless advocate”, but pointedly failed to mention Mr Joyce once.