Overview
- Barnaby Joyce and Pauline Hanson confirmed the switch in Tamworth, with Joyce to sit as a One Nation MP for New England until the election before leading the party’s NSW Senate ticket.
- Joyce’s move aligns with One Nation’s push to scrap net zero, exit the Paris Agreement and lower power bills, positions Hanson said were important factors in his decision.
- Nationals leader David Littleproud condemned the defection as turning his back on the party and electorate, underscoring tensions within the Coalition.
- Polling reports place One Nation’s primary support in the mid‑teens, with Resolve indicating 29% of voters would be more likely to support the party if it were led by Joyce and the Coalition at a low on two‑party preferred.
- ABC analysis notes potential risks for Coalition Senate positions in NSW, with Liberal incumbents Maria Kovacic and Dave Sharma flagged as vulnerable depending on votes and ticket order.