Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce has formalised his defection from the Nationals to One Nation, but he won’t serve as Pauline Hanson’s deputy.
The New England MP on Monday confirmed his move to the far-right party after weeks of speculation about his political future.
He will sit in the House of Representatives for the rest of the parliamentary term as a One Nation MP, before leading the party’s Senate ticket for NSW.
“There will be some hurt in this decision and I understand that,” Mr Joyce told Tamworth radio station 88.9FM.
“Working with people such as Pauline, I think I have a fellow traveller, and I have great respect for the work Pauline has done. She has driven the political agenda.”
Mr Joyce announced he would quit the Nationals on the last sitting day of the year in November, citing a breakdown in his relationship with party leaders and his relegation to the back bench after the May election, 5 weeks after he stopped participating in the Nationals party room.
Speculation increased about a move after Mr Joyce was seen dining with Senator Hanson at Parliament House over a Wagyu steak cooked on a sandwich press.
Senator Hanson travelled to Tamworth in Mr Joyce’s NSW electorate to make the announcement.
While painting the defection as a win for One Nation, she said Mr Joyce would not be serving as her deputy.
“I haven’t had deputy leaders of the party at all, although we’re only four in the Senate, so we’re not big enough to worry about deputy leaders and all the rest,” she told ABC TV.
“It’s a big plus for the party to have Barnaby, he’s a figure that a lot of Australians relate to and respect.
“We’re on the same page (with) what we want for our country and it’s great to have him on board.”
The pair were yet to discuss whether Mr Joyce would take on any official portfolios for One Nation.
“I didn’t offer him anything. Barnaby gave it serious thought and we know that Barnaby was really annoyed with the National Party,” she said.
Nationals leader David Littleproud said the decision by Mr Joyce to leave the party was disappointing.
“One Nation is a party of protest, not a party of government,” he said.
“Barnaby’s decision breaks the contract he made with the people of New England at the 2025 federal election.
“I have never had a personal issue or problem with Barnaby Joyce. This issue is about Barnaby wanting to be the leader of a party.”
Although nation wide polling is at an all-time high for One Nation, it might be inflated as minor-party surges typically soften once an election nears, Australian National University political expert Jill Sheppard says.
But there are two factors giving Mr Joyce a strong chance of securing a Senate seat.
“One Nation won a Senate seat in their own right in May this year in NSW, so the support is clearly there,” Dr Sheppard said.
“Many voters won’t know most names on the Senate ballot, but they’ll know (Mr Joyce’s), and that’s a huge advantage.”
Mr Joyce won’t shy away from using his public profile to his advantage, Dr Sheppard said.
“There will be some voters who will follow Barnaby wherever he goes. The coalition will be polling desperately right now to find out how many,” she said.
Recent polling shows the number of people planning to put One Nation first on their ballot paper is high, with surveys putting support for the party between 14 and 18 per cent.
There has been speculation Mr Joyce will eventually replace the 71-year-old One Nation leader, although neither has confirmed a succession plan is in place.
Dr Sheppard said Senator Hanson’s dominance over her party could make the relationship volatile, and doubts the “marriage will last”.
“One Nation is Pauline Hanson’s baby,” she said.
“She’s taken her name off the official party registration, which seems to indicate that she’s looking for a transition plan, but it’s also very hard to give up the reins.
“I think either Barnaby becomes leader very quickly and Hanson will have to step out of public life totally, or maybe they’ll find a way to work together.”
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