In a seismic shift for Australian politics, former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce has dramatically quit the National Party to join the right-wing populist One Nation party, led by Pauline Hanson.
A Political Bombshell Rocks Canberra
The announcement, made on Sunday, sent shockwaves through the nation's political establishment. Joyce, a veteran politician who served as deputy prime minister from 2016 to 2018 and again in 2021, confirmed his defection at a press conference flanked by Hanson.
Joyce stated his decision was driven by a belief that the major parties had lost touch with regional and rural Australians. He argued that One Nation was now the true voice for these communities, claiming the National Party had become too absorbed by its coalition with the Liberals.
The Reaction and Immediate Fallout
The move triggered immediate and fierce condemnation from his former colleagues. National Party leader David Littleproud labelled the defection an act of betrayal, accusing Joyce of abandoning his constituents and the party that had supported his career for decades.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese also weighed in, criticising the decision and suggesting it revealed more about Joyce's personal ambitions than any coherent political philosophy. The defection is seen as a significant coup for One Nation, lending the controversial party a figure with extensive ministerial experience and a high national profile.
Pauline Hanson hailed the move as a historic moment for her party, claiming it validated One Nation's growing influence. She expressed confidence that Joyce's addition would help the party win more seats in the next federal election, particularly in Joyce's home state of New South Wales.
What This Means for Australia's Political Landscape
Analysts suggest Joyce's defection signals a further fragmentation on the right of Australian politics. It places intense pressure on the National Party to hold its traditional voter base against a resurgent One Nation, which has increasingly courted rural and regional discontent.
The move also raises questions about policy direction. Joyce, known for his staunch conservative views on issues like climate change and immigration, may find a more natural home in Hanson's party, which has long championed similar causes. This realignment could pull the broader political debate further to the right on key issues.
For voters in Joyce's electorate of New England, the defection creates immediate uncertainty. He will now sit on the crossbench, leaving the coalition government with one fewer vote. A by-election is not triggered, as Joyce remains the sitting MP, but his future electoral prospects under the One Nation banner are now a major point of speculation.
The long-term consequences of this political earthquake will unfold in the coming months, but one thing is clear: the landscape of conservative politics in Australia has been irrevocably altered.
