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Barnaby Joyce wins Nationals leadership, Fiona Nash named deputy – politics live Barnaby Joyce wins Nationals leadership, Fiona Nash named deputy – politics live
(35 minutes later)
10.44am GMT
10:44
Joyce is asked how he wants to make a difference in politics. He proceeds to list the various interests of colleagues, fairer banks, cooperatives, effective irrigation. He says the challenge is to influence this at the cabinet level. For backbenchers, it is influencing the public debate. Joyce won’t be drawn beyond that on specifics.
Fiona Nash is asked what portfolio she’d like. She says she’ll do anything the leader requires of her.
10.41am GMT
10:41
Joyce is asked how he will divvy up the frontbench positions. He says he’s a collegiate fellow, despite some publicity to the contrary. Joyce says he will take soundings from the new team and from Warren Truss.
10.39am GMT
10:39
Q: How will you be different from Warren Truss?
Fiona Nash:
That is one of the most obvious differences. I am a girl.
Q: Will there be ongoing division?
Joyce thanks Michael McCormack for not running tonight and putting the best interests of the Nationals first.
We are all in politics and we understand to have the greatest effect, you have to have the greatest purpose of your numbers and to have 21 people working as one gives you better bang for your buck than five different groups of four.
10.36am GMT
10:36
First question is whether Joyce intends to strike a new coalition agreement with the prime minister. The new deputy prime minister isn’t saying one way or another. He says the coalition agreement might need to be revisited, but nothing dramatic. The election is close, he says.
Q: What portfolio will you take?
He doesn’t answer that directly either. Joyce says he needs to consult his colleagues.
Q: Do you want the additional cabinet position?
(Yes.)
10.33am GMT
10:33
Joyce says this is the people’s excitement, tonight, the people that Nationals represent. On the farms, people in the weatherboard and iron and the brick and tile.
Fiona Nash:
I am humbled that my party has chosen to give me the honour of being their deputy leader. It is an exciting time to be a regional Australian.
We have in this party such a cross-section of people from right across rural and regional areas. We are real people who represent all of those out in rural and regional communities that need us to fight for them. We represent some of the most disadvantaged people across the country and we will never stop fighting for them, making sure that we look after them and that they get their fair share.
10.30am GMT
10:30
Joyce opens his press conference by noting this is an awesome responsibility.
I must say, it is spectacular when you turn on the television and the nation is talking about the leadership of the National party.
10.24am GMT
10:24
The latest advice is no Parkinson review tonight. I stress I’m speculating when I say there must be a boil over about Stuart Robert’s future, (because when you are reporting live, there’s not much time to make multiple calls), but I can’t see any other obvious conclusion to reach.
This report was supposed to be out hours ago.
10.20am GMT
10:20
The new Nationals leadership team is now calling on the prime minister with twenty of their closest camera wielding friends.
Barnaby Joyce, to Turnbull:
It is momentous and I am looking forward to showing Australians that they are in safe hands. We will be a great team and looking forward to working with you.
Turnbull to Joyce and Nash:
I am very pumped up. It is a great result and I think this will be a very formidable team. We haven’t got long to go to the election. Well done to the Nats. All the best. Well done.
10.15am GMT
10:15
The glass eyed muppet donkey never gets old.
That feeling when you become Deputy Prime Minister pic.twitter.com/xdb2YEc4Ke
10.14am GMT
10:14
From the fellow who thought he might be leader, then thought he might be deputy, and tonight is neither.
Congratulations to the new @The_Nationals Leader @Barnaby_Joyce and his deputy @SenatorNash who will both do a great job for regional Aust.
Politics is challenging.
10.12am GMT
10:12
I love this picture. It’s a timeshift. This was Bridget McKenzie, jogging to tonight’s meeting.
Press conference coming up soon.
10.09am GMT10.09am GMT
10:0910:09
If it isn’t obvious, Fiona Nash taking the deputy’s spot means the prime minister will have another woman in the cabinet.If it isn’t obvious, Fiona Nash taking the deputy’s spot means the prime minister will have another woman in the cabinet.
10.06am GMT10.06am GMT
10:0610:06
Returning officer, George Christensen.Returning officer, George Christensen.
The vote was by secret ballot. And in the National party that means we don’t release the tally of votes. The ballot papers have been destroyed. Barnaby and Fiona will formally take office when Warren Truss officially resigns.The vote was by secret ballot. And in the National party that means we don’t release the tally of votes. The ballot papers have been destroyed. Barnaby and Fiona will formally take office when Warren Truss officially resigns.
Barnaby will be the new Deputy PM and we look forward to having Fiona in the Cabinet and I can assure you that both of them will be fierce advocates and fighters for rural and regional Australia.Barnaby will be the new Deputy PM and we look forward to having Fiona in the Cabinet and I can assure you that both of them will be fierce advocates and fighters for rural and regional Australia.
Barnaby and Fiona will be holding a press conference in the National’s party room in about 15 to 20 minutes time. And can I finish by saying if there is one great legacy that Warren Truss has left the National party it is a sense of unity and loyalty and that will continue under this new leadership.Barnaby and Fiona will be holding a press conference in the National’s party room in about 15 to 20 minutes time. And can I finish by saying if there is one great legacy that Warren Truss has left the National party it is a sense of unity and loyalty and that will continue under this new leadership.
We are all very good mates and we will continue to be even though some people missed out tonight. Thank you and I will see you in 15 to 20 minutes time.We are all very good mates and we will continue to be even though some people missed out tonight. Thank you and I will see you in 15 to 20 minutes time.
10.02am GMT10.02am GMT
10:0210:02
Australia has a new deputy prime minister and Fiona Nash is the new Nationals deputyAustralia has a new deputy prime minister and Fiona Nash is the new Nationals deputy
The white smoke has emerged from the Nationals party room.The white smoke has emerged from the Nationals party room.
It’s Barnaby and Fiona Nash.It’s Barnaby and Fiona Nash.
9.57am GMT9.57am GMT
09:5709:57
That James Jeffrey is a very funny man.That James Jeffrey is a very funny man.
Hey girl #FeelTheBarn pic.twitter.com/kUEdYZsifBHey girl #FeelTheBarn pic.twitter.com/kUEdYZsifB
9.55am GMT9.55am GMT
09:5509:55
Phil Coorey from The Australian Financial Review is tipping Queensland Liberal Steve Ciobo for Australia’s next trade minister when the prime minister proceeds to the reshuffle. He’s saying that will be Sunday. I really hope he’s right. The mail I got earlier this evening was tomorrow, not Sunday.Phil Coorey from The Australian Financial Review is tipping Queensland Liberal Steve Ciobo for Australia’s next trade minister when the prime minister proceeds to the reshuffle. He’s saying that will be Sunday. I really hope he’s right. The mail I got earlier this evening was tomorrow, not Sunday.
Andrew Robb told Sky News earlier tonight he would play the role of trade envoy in the government until his retirement.Andrew Robb told Sky News earlier tonight he would play the role of trade envoy in the government until his retirement.
9.41am GMT9.41am GMT
09:4109:41
We can only hope so. I’m still thinking about Warren Truss suggesting we’ll still be going in two hours.We can only hope so. I’m still thinking about Warren Truss suggesting we’ll still be going in two hours.
Time to stop tweeting, time to start voting #nationals #ballot #auspol #lovegippslandTime to stop tweeting, time to start voting #nationals #ballot #auspol #lovegippsland
Still no sign yet of the Parkinson review into Stuart Robert’s future.Still no sign yet of the Parkinson review into Stuart Robert’s future.
9.37am GMT9.37am GMT
09:3709:37
Mike Bowers tells me that Joyce is being followed tonight by a film crew. I hear around the traps a 60Minutes special is in the offing.Mike Bowers tells me that Joyce is being followed tonight by a film crew. I hear around the traps a 60Minutes special is in the offing.
9.33am GMT9.33am GMT
09:3309:33
Check Barnaby Joyce’s face.Check Barnaby Joyce’s face.
The face of anticipation.The face of anticipation.
9.27am GMT9.27am GMT
09:2709:27
Yes, conventional wisdom this evening is Fiona Nash or Luke Hartsuyker or possibly Darren Chester for deputy National’s leader, but in our office, we are keeping close watch on Keith Pitt, the member for Hinkler.Yes, conventional wisdom this evening is Fiona Nash or Luke Hartsuyker or possibly Darren Chester for deputy National’s leader, but in our office, we are keeping close watch on Keith Pitt, the member for Hinkler.
Because we love an underdog/outsider at Guardian Australia. And because he’s from Queensland.Because we love an underdog/outsider at Guardian Australia. And because he’s from Queensland.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.39am GMTat 9.39am GMT
9.22am GMT9.22am GMT
09:2209:22
Truss ends somewhat ominously.Truss ends somewhat ominously.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for being here. And we’ll have some news for you, I guess, in an hour or two.Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for being here. And we’ll have some news for you, I guess, in an hour or two.
9.19am GMT9.19am GMT
09:1909:19
Warren Truss has invited the cameras briefly into the partyroom to record some brief remarks. He points out that it is impossible for everyone to emerge as a winner tonight. That is true. It is completely impossible for that to happen.Warren Truss has invited the cameras briefly into the partyroom to record some brief remarks. He points out that it is impossible for everyone to emerge as a winner tonight. That is true. It is completely impossible for that to happen.
Warren Truss:Warren Truss:
This is an important ballot for us. And I’m delighted that we have such a pool of talent that has expressed interest in taking leadership roles in the party. Not everyone will be able to be successful tonight, but the good news about a ballot of this nature is we have so many people who will get their opportunity also into the future. So we’ll proceed now, I think, to the ballot.This is an important ballot for us. And I’m delighted that we have such a pool of talent that has expressed interest in taking leadership roles in the party. Not everyone will be able to be successful tonight, but the good news about a ballot of this nature is we have so many people who will get their opportunity also into the future. So we’ll proceed now, I think, to the ballot.
9.16am GMT9.16am GMT
09:1609:16
Hellooo, Australia’s almost new deputy prime minister.Hellooo, Australia’s almost new deputy prime minister.
9.14am GMT
09:14
Just while we wait and chat amongst ourselves, the trade minister Andrew Robb is being interviewed on Sky News tonight.
This is interesting.
Andrew Robb expects someone else to take Trade portfolio in reshuffle while he becomes "trade envoy" for rest of this term #SpeersTonight
I’ve neglected to say until now there are smoke signals this evening that the reshuffle could be as soon as tomorrow.
9.03am GMT
09:03
More from the Nationals party room. The sorting hat.
This is the hat that the Nats voting order will be drawn from...Nats new leader. pic.twitter.com/5iqavm2dMm
9.01am GMT
09:01
Meta. Nationals MP takes picture of photographers taking pictures of National MPs walking into their party room meeting.
Nothing beats turning lens back on the media #auspol #nationals pic.twitter.com/NuLlxoHwwF
Let the record show the Nationals are now entering their party room to elect their new leadership.
8.37am GMT
08:37
If you need a laugh, there is also the famous Last Week Tonight episode that was sparked by Joyce’s declaration that Johnny Depp’s dogs, Pistol and Boo, should bugger off.
As well as featuring Guardian Australia’s own countdown clock, it also has the bonus benefit of a description of an alpaca as a glassy eyed muppet donkey.
8.33am GMT
08:33
Barnaby Joyce is such a well known character it seems unlikely that Politics Live readers will need background reading, but in the event you do, Tony Walker from the Australian Financial Review has produced a good pen portrait which you can find here.
Walker quotes Joyce telling him that what excites me about Malcolm Turnbull “is that he is a bit of a maddie, but he’s also got some big ideas.”
Tony Walker:
Joyce’s use of the word “maddie” is not random. He draws the description from Paul Keating’s observation that there are three types of political leader: straight men, fixers, and maddies.
In the history of the National party, and before that the Country party, it has been “straight” men who have tended to lead the party, like the outgoing Truss and before him Mark Vaile, John Anderson, and Doug Anthony.
The one notable exception is Arthur Fadden. Fadden was a maverick and served briefly as Australia’s 13th prime minister on Robert Menzies’s resignation in 1941 after the latter lost the confidence of colleagues. Like Joyce, Fadden, from rural Queensland, was an accountant, albeit a flamboyant one.
8.20am GMT
08:20
As the Nationals start to get ready for tonight’s party room, I can remind readers that the party leadership is already a foregone conclusion – Barnaby Joyce doesn’t have a challenger. The contest is for the deputy’s spot.
Rob Harris from the Herald Sun says his mail is it’s coming down to these two.
Not great insight, but some say Luke Hartsukyer has the numbers for deputy, others say Fiona Nash. Obviously tight. Will go for a while.
Hartsuyker has my vote for his pitch from earlier today: I have skills that complement Barnaby Joyce’s “flair.”
Skillz.
Updated
at 9.40am GMT
8.13am GMT
08:13
The ABC’s Chris Uhlmann has just reported on the ABC news that this exchange ..
Tonight on @abcnews @CUhlmann has new details on this heated exchange between Stuart Robert and Peta Credlin https://t.co/CM7o7BnLZC #auspol
.. between Tony Abbott’s chief of staff Peta Credlin and Stuart Robert – a finger pointing session that attracted a deal of attention at the time as a symptom of Credlin’s controlling tendencies – was actually sparked by a desire on the part of Robert that Abbott sign a tie for Paul Marks, the businessman and donor with Robert during the controversial trip to Beijing that is now the subject of the Parkinson inquiry.
Credlin as you can see in the footage objected to that request somewhat strenuously. I can’t remember whether or not that detail came out at the time.
7.39am GMT
07:39
Various Nationals have been asked over the course of the afternoon how Barnaby Joyce will differ from Warren Truss as party leader.
Apart from their obvious differences in personality, Joyce will be more inclined to carve out political territory for the Nationals. He’s no longer the parliamentarian who thought coalitionism meant the slow death of the National party – but he’s no shrinking violet either. Any person who threatens to kill Johnny Depp’s dogs isn’t naturally risk averse.
Asked to nominate any specific policy differences, National MP John Wacka Williams said this afternoon that Joyce would be more inclined than Warren Truss to take up the internal fights on things like competition policy, specifically the implementation of an effects test which would help protect small business against the misuse of market power by large companies.
Updated
at 7.43am GMT
7.04am GMT
07:04
Labor’s senate leader and shadow trade minister Penny Wong has issued a statement marking the retirement of Andrew Robb.
Over recent years we have shadowed each other in government and opposition in the finance and trade portfolios, and acted as campaign spokespeople for our respective parties. Andrew is a person of integrity. While we haven’t always agreed, our personal engagement has been respectful and constructive, and I acknowledge his diligent and committed parliamentary and ministerial service. At a personal level Andrew has shown a great deal of courage and acted as a model for many others.
6.50am GMT
06:50
A couple of pictures while we have the chance. Tony Abbott, articulating the dream I really don’t want to mention again.
This one is all kinds of fabulous. Mike captured the reaction of Warren Truss, Barnaby Joyce and Michael McCormack when the Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek said during her tribute to Truss that she enjoyed plenty of fun times with the Nats.