Overview
- Joyce announced he has left the Nationals after three decades and will sit as an independent for New England for the remainder of this term.
- He said he is "strongly considering" teaming up with Pauline Hanson and pursuing a return to the Senate, following a dinner meeting in her parliamentary office earlier in the week.
- Senior Nationals voiced anger as former senator John 'Wacka' Williams called the resignation an "act of treason," Bridget McKenzie warned a One Nation move would betray supporters and reduce clout, and David Littleproud said the decision broke a voter contract.
- Former colleagues and commentators predict a short and rocky Hanson–Joyce partnership due to competing leadership ambitions and One Nation’s history of poor member retention.
- Analysts speculate he could even replace Hanson in the Senate and draw support from Coalition parties in regional areas, though no party switch or candidacy has been confirmed, and voters in New England expressed mixed reactions.