There’s a fine line between being out and about and canvassing. Just being visible is all that’s needed at this stage of a bid. And Joyce doesn’t hide his ambitions for a return.
Politics podcast: Barnaby Joyce at his provocative best
Barnaby Joyce has confirmed he could cross the floor on the federal legislation associated with the National Energy Guarantee. “Of course I could,” he says.
As the Joyce saga continued to suck political oxygen in the wake of Sunday’s TV interview with Joyce and partner Vikki Campion, he rejected speculation that he might not contest his New England seat.
The Seven Network paid a reported $150,000 for the interview which Joyce and Campion are putting into a trust fund for Sebastian, who was born in April.
Michael McCormack on Barnaby’s future, latte sippers and other matters
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In this interview Nationals leader and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack pointedly avoids saying Joyce should run again in his New England seat at the election.
Joyce sought leave from the Nationals whip, Michelle Landry, and he has been granted a parliamentary pair by Labor – which means the numbers in the House of Representatives will not be affected.
The Nationals now have their first Tasmanian senator since the Tasmanian tiger was last sighted, but that does not greatly reduce the challenges the government faces in passing legislation.
From Morrison’s point of view, McCormack’s imagery was totally out of whack with his desired framing. Even within the Nationals there is some criticism of the leader for being inept.
Barnaby Joyce had a long history of opposing climate action. His successor Michael McCormack seems to think the same way, despite climate being a growing threat to the Nationals’ rural voters.
As the crisis within the Coalition deepened, Barnaby Joyce held a news conference to respond to Malcolm Turnbull’s denunciation of his personal behaviour.