In a significant political realignment, former Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has formally joined the anti-immigration One Nation party, marking a dramatic departure from the Nationals party he previously led. The controversial politician announced his defection during a Monday broadcast on his local Tamworth radio station, acknowledging his decision would likely “hurt” certain individuals.
Joyce’s move concludes months of speculation about his political future and represents a substantial coup for One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, whose party has experienced growing popularity in recent polls. Hanson welcomed Joyce’s defection, emphasizing his “experience, advice and determination to get a fair go for farmers and regional Australia.” The party founder announced Joyce would represent One Nation in the lower house until the next federal election before transitioning to a Senate candidacy.
The veteran politician justified his decision through a detailed Facebook post criticizing multiple government policies. Joyce condemned Australia’s energy platform as “eviscerated” in pursuit of “a ludicrous quest to change the weather” and argued that population growth through immigration had undermined housing affordability and natural population increase. He further articulated his cultural vision, stating that while Australia could embrace multiple faiths and races, it must unite under a singular Australian culture to navigate an increasingly uncertain world.
Nationals leader David Littleproud expressed disappointment with Joyce’s alignment with what he characterized as a “party of protest which is never able to achieve anything other than headlines.” The criticism highlights the deepening divide between Joyce and his former colleagues in the conservative coalition.
The defection follows a carefully orchestrated courtship between Joyce and Hanson, culminating in a steak dinner in Hanson’s parliamentary office exactly two weeks prior. Notably, this meal occurred hours after Hanson sparked controversy by wearing a burqa into Parliament as part of her longstanding campaign to ban the Muslim garment—an action condemned as “blatant racism” by colleagues and formally censured by the Senate.
Joyce’s political career has been marked by both significant achievements and controversies. After serving as a Queensland senator from 2004-2013, he secured the New England seat in New South Wales. His tenure as Nationals leader and deputy prime minister (2016-2018) ended abruptly following public outrage over his extramarital affair with a staffer, which prompted the implementation of strict rules regarding relationships between politicians and staff.
The politician has frequently captured international attention, most notably in 2015 when he threatened to euthanize Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s Yorkshire Terriers after the celebrities attempted to smuggle them into Australia aboard their private jet in violation of quarantine laws.
Hanson herself has consistently courted controversy throughout her political career. Her 2016 maiden speech to the Senate warning that Australia risked being “swamped by Muslims” echoed similar sentiments expressed in 1996 about being “swamped by Asians.”