Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce has officially resigned from the National Party after 30 years, confirming he will serve out his term as an independent MP for the New England electorate. Joyce made the announcement in parliament on Thursday, saying he was leaving with a 'heavy heart' and apologising for the 'hurt' his decision would cause.
Joyce, who led the Nationals and served as deputy prime minister on three separate occasions, has not ruled out a future move to One Nation. He said he is 'strongly considering' a Senate tilt with the minor party at the next election, citing the appeal of reviewing and amending legislation in the upper house.
Nationals leader David Littleproud described Joyce's defection as 'disappointing' and said it broke the 'contract' he had made with voters in New England at the 2025 election. Littleproud noted that the party had supported Joyce through tough times, including during his 'darkest moments'.
Joyce criticised the lack of communication from party leadership since he flagged he would not recontest his seat at the next election due in 2028. He said he had been relegated to the 'ejection' seat on the backbench, which prompted his final decision to quit.
Joyce first entered parliament in 2004 as a Queensland senator. He resigned from the Senate in 2013 to contest the seat of New England, where he has remained, barring a short period when he was ruled ineligible due to dual New Zealand citizenship. He became Nationals leader and deputy prime minister in 2016 but resigned two years later following his relationship with former staffer Vikki Campion.
