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Former deputy PM joins anti-immigration party
Barnaby Joyce, Australia's former deputy prime minister, has formally joined One Nation, the anti-immigration party led by Pauline Hanson, less than two weeks after resigning from the opposition Nationals. Joyce announced the move on Monday during a radio interview in Tamworth, a regional city 400 km north of Sydney, acknowledging the decision would upset some supporters.
Joyce's political shift and One Nation's reaction
Hanson, whose party has gained traction in recent polls, welcomed Joyce's defection, stating the pair aim to "turn this country around to make it great again." She praised his experience and commitment to advocating for farmers and regional Australia, adding that Joyce will represent One Nation in the lower house until the next federal election before transitioning to a Senate candidacy.
Joyce, the current member for New England in New South Wales, confirmed his departure from the Nationals in a Facebook post, criticizing government policies on energy, immigration, and cultural integration. He argued that Australia's immigration-driven population growth had undermined housing affordability and family stability, and stressed the need for a unified national culture.
Criticism from former colleagues
Nationals leader David Littleproud expressed disappointment in Joyce's decision, describing One Nation as a "party of protest" incapable of achieving meaningful change. The Nationals, who form a coalition with the conservative Liberals as the federal opposition, have faced internal tensions in recent months.
Joyce's defection follows a private dinner with Hanson two weeks prior, where they discussed his political future. The meeting occurred hours after Hanson sparked controversy by wearing a burqa in parliament as part of her campaign to ban the garment, an act condemned by colleagues as racist.
Joyce's turbulent political career
A prominent figure in rural politics, Joyce first served as a Queensland senator from 2004 to 2013 before winning the New England seat in New South Wales. He briefly stepped down in 2017 due to a dual citizenship scandal but regained the seat in a by-election.
Joyce's tenure as Nationals leader and deputy prime minister ended in 2018 amid backlash over an extramarital affair with a staffer, prompting the government to introduce a "bonk ban" prohibiting relationships between politicians and their staff. His career has also been marked by high-profile clashes, including a 2015 dispute with actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard over their illegal importation of pets into Australia.
Recent tensions and future plans
Joyce's decision to leave the Nationals followed his announcement last month that he would not seek re-election for his seat. In recent weeks, he stopped attending party meetings, citing discomfort with internal discussions about his future. "I don't think it's fair for them or for me," he said, suggesting colleagues might discuss him privately.
Hanson, who founded One Nation in 1997, has faced repeated criticism for her anti-immigration rhetoric, including a 2016 Senate speech warning of Australia being "swamped by Muslims," echoing her 1996 remarks about Asian immigration.
