Barnaby Joyce leaves Nationals, will not contest New England seat

Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce announced on Saturday that he will leave the National Party and will not contest the seat of New England at the next federal election, saying his relationship with the party leadership in Canberra has "irreparably broken down." He said he will complete his current term but is free to consider other options amid speculation he may join Pauline Hanson's One Nation.

In a written statement to party branch members, Mr Joyce said a series of decisions and the "atmospherics" of the Nationals party room had left him marginalised. He cited instructions during the federal campaign that he not campaign outside New England, his removal for "generational change" after the election, and policy differences over the coalition's support for a net zero emissions target. "Our position in continuing to support Net Zero with the massive schism and hurt to my electorate, to small businesses, to the environment, to the poor, to the defence of Australia and creating hate between lifelong friends in my community makes continuing in the Nationals Party Room in Canberra under this policy untenable," he wrote.

Mr Joyce did not formally confirm any move to One Nation in...