Barnaby Joyce has turned his back on the Nationals, though he maintains his membership with the regional party, leaving his political future uncertain.

The former Deputy Prime Minister opted out of attending a crucial party room meeting today. His absence comes as he contemplates exiting the Nationals, primarily due to their position on net zero emissions. This decision follows Pauline Hanson’s offer, inviting him to join her right-wing party, One Nation.

“I’m not going to attend any party room that believes in net zero,” Joyce declared to reporters while in Canberra.

The Nationals leader expressed his desire for Joyce to remain within the party but was firm in his stance of not offering a frontbench position to lure him back.

He emphasized the need for the party to foster an environment that would make Joyce feel “welcome and willing to return and contribute.”

“I’ve made it very clear to him that he’s welcome back at any time, and he can make a constructive contribution alongside the rest of the party room,” the leader stated.

“He needs only to walk in and talk to the room.”

Joyce confirmed he had spoken to Littleproud.

“I’ve had a brief and courteous conversation with him. It went for about three minutes,” he said.

At the same time, Joyce said he would also be meeting with Hanson, who invited him to join her party upon news of his relationship breakdown with the Nationals.

“I’ll meet with Pauline Hanson. I’ve met with Pauline Hanson before. I mean, this is a free country. You’re allowed to actually meet other people. I talk to people from the Greens,” he said.

If Joyce defects to One Nation, he could take other dissatisfied colleagues with him, giving Hanson a major win and deepening the rift within the Coalition.