URGENT UPDATE: Former National Party leader Barnaby Joyce has just announced he will skip a critical meeting with his party colleagues today, as uncertainty looms over his future. The meeting, scheduled for 10:30 AM on October 30, 2023, is especially significant as the National Party prepares to discuss energy policy, including recommendations to abandon support for net-zero emissions targets.
Joyce’s decision to bypass the meeting underscores escalating tensions within the party. Despite his continued membership in the Nationals, speculation about his potential shift to One Nation persists. Earlier today, he confirmed he would not participate, stating, “I am sitting with the National Party in question time, but as I said, if you believe in net zero, I can’t be part of it.” His remarks highlight a growing rift over climate policy, which he claims is detrimental to everyday Australians.
“Net zero’s just doing too much damage to Australia, for the benefit of a very select, very affluent small group of people who are just creaming the system at the expense of pensioners and poor people, and it’s got to stop,” Joyce added during a live segment on Channel 7’s Sunrise.
In an apparent bid to maintain his political options, Joyce expressed openness to meeting with Pauline Hanson, leader of One Nation, emphasizing, “This is a free country. You’re allowed to actually meet other people.” However, he ruled out sitting as an independent and stated he would not confirm a timeline for any potential decisions regarding his political future.
The backdrop of this internal party conflict comes as Parliament enters its second-last sitting block for the year. With energy policy at the forefront, Joyce’s absence from the meeting could signal deeper fractures within the National Party as they grapple with their stance on climate change.
As the National Party grapples with these challenges, all eyes will be on the meeting today. The outcome could have significant implications for the party’s direction and its response to Australia’s energy landscape. Joyce’s comments reflect a broader sentiment among some party members who oppose current climate policies.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops. The political stakes are high, and Joyce’s next steps could shape the future of both his career and the National Party’s policies.
