Joyce’s deputy David Littleproud and backbencher Darren Chester have both announced they will run for the leadership of the Nationals.
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Darren Chester says he can’t explain why Barnaby Joyce sacked him because the Deputy Prime Minister was “incoherent” when he rang on Sunday to tell him he was being relegated from cabinet to the backbench.
The Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie has been restored to cabinet and Darren Chester has been dropped to the backbench in a reshuffle of blatant reward and punishment following Barnaby Joyce’s elevation.
The result will be a deep relief to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who stood to be a big loser if forced to partner with Joyce.
Michael McCormack has rewarded supporters but has been cautious in making changes.
There is not a great deal to be said for Malcolm Turnbull’s reshuffle, and quite a lot to be said against it.
Malcolm Turnbull’s reshuffled cabinet has five new faces, but one of the Nationals’ best performers has been unceremoniously dumped by his party leader.
Politics Podcast: Darren Chester on the infrastructure spending spree
Darren Chester says there is too much hyper-partisanship in Australian politics.
By increasing their numbers within the government, the Nationals were the surprise success story of the election, with a very locally focused campaign.
