Political Earthquake Looms as Joyce Considers Defection
Australian politics could be facing a major shakeup with speculation intensifying that former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce will join One Nation as soon as this week. The political firestorm erupted after the disaffected Nationals MP was photographed dining with Pauline Hanson at her parliamentary office on Monday night.
The controversial meeting saw the pair sharing wagyu steak, red wine, salad and berry pie while laughing and smiling together. One Nation deliberately released pictures and videos of the encounter to 7NEWS, fueling speculation about an imminent political realignment.
Timing Raises Eyebrows
The New England MP showed no hesitation in being seen publicly with Senator Hanson just hours after she staged her latest political stunt - shutting down the Senate by wearing a burqa in a repeat of her controversial 2017 performance. This bold move demonstrates Joyce's apparent willingness to associate with Hanson's controversial tactics.
The political context makes this potential defection particularly significant. The latest Newspoll reveals One Nation's primary vote has surged to a record high of 15 percent, while the Coalition has plummeted to a record low of 24 percent. Conservative voters appear to be drifting toward the minor party due to its strong stance on immigration and net zero policies.
Joyce's Political Isolation Grows
Joyce has been increasingly distancing himself from his party, boycotting both Nationals party room meetings and joint Coalition meetings since revelations emerged about his potential move to One Nation. When questioned about his decision timeline on Monday, Joyce told reporters in Canberra: "I don't want any circus. I am trying to wait until the end of the week."
Nationals Leader David Littleproud maintains that the door remains open for Joyce's return to the party. "He's still a member of the party room and we welcome him back," Littleproud stated on Monday, before the dinner between Hanson and Joyce became public knowledge. "That offer is still there and the party room would be happy for him to walk back in at any time."
Coalition Response and Political Fallout
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has launched a strong attack on Pauline Hanson over the burqa controversy, describing it as "reheating a desperate stunt." Ley emphasized that "this is a reminder of how brittle One Nation's politics are" and vowed that "we will not let Senator Hanson's actions distract us from fighting for Australians who are being hit hard by the cost of living crisis."
The Coalition appears poised to use Hanson's latest stunt as an opportunity to win back voters who find such tactics distasteful and offensive. With the Liberal Party room meeting on Tuesday morning, though no leadership challenge against Ley is expected, the political landscape appears increasingly volatile.
This potential defection represents one of the most significant political shifts in recent Australian history, coming at a time when voter allegiances appear to be undergoing substantial realignment. The outcome of Joyce's decision could have far-reaching implications for the conservative side of Australian politics.
