Barnaby Joyce has announced that he will not seek re-election in the New England seat, signaling the end of his tenure with the Nationals. This decision comes amidst what he describes as an “irreparable breakdown” in his relationship with the party.

Despite reports suggesting that One Nation leader Pauline Hanson is actively pursuing Joyce to join her party, Nationals leader David Littleproud has downplayed any certainty regarding Joyce’s departure. Littleproud suggests that Joyce’s political future isn’t conclusively decided.

Joyce expressed dissatisfaction with recent events, notably being restricted during the federal election from campaigning outside his New England constituency. He highlighted how this limitation did not reflect the broader views of the Nationals. After the election, he faced pressure for “generational change” within the party, which, coupled with his placement at the far corner of the Coalition in the chamber, has left him feeling increasingly sidelined.

“That is not who I want to be,” Joyce stated, emphasizing his desire to avoid becoming a source of discord.

Joyce has identified a significant policy disagreement with the Nationals, primarily concerning the party’s stance on net zero emissions. However, he has refrained from confirming any intentions of joining Hanson’s conservative faction, leaving his next political move open to speculation.

Joyce has stopped short of saying whether he would defect to Hanson’s conservative party.

Hanson, speaking from Joyce’s hometown of Tamworth today, tried to encourage him to make the move to her party.

“Barnaby, I’ll open the doors for you. Come across to One Nation,” she told 9News.

”Barnaby is more aligned with One Nation than what he is with the Nationals Party.”