Barnaby Joyce Sidesteps Questions About Potential One Nation Role

Former Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has refrained from confirming whether he intends to join the One Nation party, following speculation regarding his political future. On October 19, 2025, Joyce announced he would not seek re-election for his federal seat in New England, citing a breakdown in relations with the party leadership.

In an interview on the morning program *Sunrise*, host Nat Barr directly asked Joyce if he had been approached by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson to take over her position. Joyce responded with laughter, denying any formal discussions. “No! You amaze me. I spoke to Pauline maybe one-and-a-half months ago briefly,” he said. Joyce indicated that he had contacted Hanson again the previous night but clarified that there were “nothing locked-in” regarding any political transitions.

Joyce’s remarks come amid rising rumors that he may be vying for a Senate position within One Nation, potentially succeeding Hanson as leader. When pressed repeatedly about his intentions, Joyce avoided providing a definitive answer. “I am not going to get salami sliced,” he stated, emphasizing that he had not yet spoken to his family about his political future.

A critical factor in Joyce’s decision to leave the Nationals appears to be his strained relationship with current leader David Littleproud. Joyce expressed that he could not see a harmonious future within the party, stating, “It is playing silly games of charades that everything is fine… it wasn’t.” He acknowledged that the best course of action was to “move on” from the party.

During the *Sunrise* interview, Joyce also addressed the timing of his announcement, which came less than six months after his re-election. He described the situation as awkward, particularly since he was attending a fundraising event for the Nationals at the time the news broke. “It makes a speech a bit awkward but you’ve got to work your way around it. Anyway, that’s life,” he remarked.

When asked if he knew who leaked the information regarding his potential defection, Joyce quipped, “Obviously someone who doesn’t like me or wants to help me much.” Meanwhile, Tanya Plibersek, a Labor minister and Joyce’s co-host on *Sunrise*, commented that she had no opinion on “whatever circus is going on” within the Nationals.

As speculation swirls around his future, Barnaby Joyce’s next political move remains uncertain, leaving many to wonder about the implications of his possible alignment with One Nation.