by Booney » Thu Nov 27, 2025 1:49 pm
Barnaby Joyce says he was “asked to leave” the Coalition by former Liberal leader Peter Dutton, but that his fallout with Nationals Leader David Littleproud pushed him to quit.
Mr Joyce resigned from the Nationals on Thursday, ignoring pleas from former colleagues and reshaping parliament on the final sitting day of the year.
Addressing the Lower House, Mr Joyce singled out Mr Littleproud’s claim that his backbench banishment earlier this year was a matter of “generational change”.
“Now, in the past, I’ve been asked to leave twice by Peter Dutton, and I suppose the last change, when they talk about generational change, it’s pretty it’s pretty clear what people want,” Mr Joyce told the chamber.
“One of the biggest things, though ... is that after five weeks, I announced this about five weeks ago, apart from a 92-second phone conversation with the leader, I’ve had no communication with either leader of the National Party or the deputy leader of the National Party to try and resolve this, and that’s disappointing.
“So after 30 years with the National Party, I’m resigning from the party, and that really leaves me with a heavy heart, and I apologise for all the hurt that that will cause other people, I really do, but it’s not the most important thing.”
NewsWire understands MPs and senators were texting him in the lead up, urging him against making the announcement.
Mr Joyce announced he intended to leave the party he once led last month, citing an irreparable breakdown in his relationship with Mr Littleproud.
He did not resign at the time but did boycott Nationals party room meetings despite personal invitations to resume attending.
Since announcing his intention, he has also played into rumours of a move to One Nation, and dined with leader Pauline Hanson this week.
In a snap press conference after his resignation, Mr Joyce said he was “strongly considering” joining One Nation but had not yet decided.
Asked whether he feared about the future of the Coalition, Mr Joyce said it was “changing everywhere”, and singled out hard-right populist figures internationally, including Nigel Farage in the UK, Marine La Pen in France, the “MAGA movement within the Republican party”, and Germany’s AFD, which he said was “very insidious”.
He said he expected it to be “really hard for the Coalition to win the next election”.
“I hope they do, but I think it’s going to be really difficult from where they are, and therefore in the house, especially if you sort of on the outer, you’re not just relevant … you’re a discordant voice at the best,” My Joyce said.
If you want to go quickly, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together.