URGENT UPDATE: Sussan Ley has sidestepped pressing questions regarding Barnaby Joyce’s controversial dinner with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, stating she will “leave it there.” The New England MP’s response comes amid growing speculation about Joyce’s future within the Coalition and potential defection to One Nation.
Just last month, Joyce announced plans to depart from the Nationals, citing a breakdown in relations with party leadership. This news has fueled rampant rumors, culminating in a peculiar steak dinner on Monday night between Joyce and Hanson in her Senate office. The dinner has raised eyebrows as Hanson prepared steaks on a sandwich press, creating a spectacle that has gone viral.
When pressed about the dinner during an interview, Ley acknowledged the concerns of local wagyu producers, humorously noting they might be worried about “the sandwich press.” However, she emphasized, “Barnaby is a friend,” underscoring their long-standing professional relationship. “What he does is entirely up to him, and I’ll leave it there,” she concluded.
Ley’s comments come as voters who historically supported the Nationals may be left questioning their allegiance should Joyce shift to One Nation. “These are questions for the National Party,” Ley stated, attempting to distance her party from the evolving situation.
Despite the turmoil, Ley reassured that the Liberal Party remains “firmly united behind a serious, compelling policy agenda” aimed at the Australian people.
This dinner follows a day of controversy for Hanson, who was suspended from the Senate after wearing a burqa to Parliament, an act that ignited significant debate and backlash.
Senator Hanson has openly welcomed Joyce’s possible move to One Nation, asserting he aligns more with her party than with the Nationals. The dynamics within the Coalition are shifting rapidly, and many are watching closely as Joyce navigates this critical juncture in his political career.
As this story develops, key political analysts and party members are expected to weigh in on the implications of Joyce’s potential defection and the future of the Coalition. Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding political drama.
