Barnaby Joyce’s adherence to the Nationals leadership could be falling as his teammates encourage his deputy David Littleproud to take on a challenge when the party meets in Canberra as early as Monday.
Key points:
- David Littleproud has yet to declare whether he will contest the Nationals leadership
- Party colleagues are divided on the need for change
- Joyce still has strong support within the party
The ABC understands that Mr. Littleproud has not been actively soliciting his colleagues, but he has the support of nearly half of them.
In private, supporters of Littleproud say he is the best person to “unite the party” as the Coalition tries to rebuild itself in opposition.
They have also said that Mr. Joyce has told them she would consider stepping down in 18 months to make way for a new leader.
Mr Joyce still enjoys strong support in the party hall, with former Resources Minister Keith Pitt publicly backing him to remain as leader, and several others tell the ABC that he is “fighting” for find a reason for the change.
Joyce told the ABC that she will “definitely” nominate for leadership, even if there is a challenge. But he stressed that he was “completely comfortable with the democratic process.”
Joyce says she is the best person to negotiate the coalition deal. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)
“We need someone tough to negotiate the coalition agreement and I have shown that I can do it,” he said.
“Don’t forget that people voted for us on the premise that I would be there after the election. And we had all our seats.”
But he indicated that he was willing to stand aside on the track once the “hard work” was done.
“I want to see my kids grow up. I couldn’t watch my little daughters grow up.”
Backbencher Michael McCormack, who was sacked as leader last year, had raised a t a clear career if he declares his candidacy.
The national party sheds its leadership positions after each federal election and the current leader is usually re-elected without opposition.
But the party is once again divided on issues such as climate change and the Coalition’s zero-net policy, especially after overwhelming support for the Green Green independents in the weekend elections.
Littleproud has been one of the party’s strongest advocates of action against climate change and has established a biodiversity management program designed to reward farmers for caring for the land.
Littleproud is considering challenging Mr. Joyce for National Party leadership. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)
New South Wales Senator Perin Davey paused before declaring who she would support in a vote, but said “it will be interesting to see who raises their hands”.
Joyce has said his party’s formal support for Australia’s zero net target is under discussion, while Queensland Senator Matt Canavan continues to argue against the target.
But Nationals Gippsland MP Darren Chester has said the party should be responsible for the loss of Liberal seats to city voters, with blue-green independents claiming a vote for the Coalition was a vote. for Barnaby Joyce.
The nationals occupied all 16 seats in the lower house in the election, a reason Joyce has cited for keeping him in the main job, but they have been rocked against them in several polls.