Barnaby Joyce has completed a stunning return as Deputy Prime Minister less than three-and-a-half years after quitting in a cloud of scandal.
Mr Joyce defeated Michael McCormack in a Nationals leadership spill on Monday.
After he is sworn in, focus will turn to striking a new coalition agreement with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and a looming ministerial reshuffle.
Former minister Bridget McKenzie, who oversaw the so-called sports rorts scheme, is expected to return to cabinet less than 18 months after being forced to resign for breaching ministerial standards.
The new Deputy PM is expected to solidify the Nationals’ opposition to agreeing to a 2050 net zero carbon emissions target.
While that could cause further headaches for the government on the international stage, Mr Joyce said he would support what was best for regional Australia.
“It is not Barnaby policy – it’s Nationals policy. And Nationals policy is what I will be an advocate for,” he said.
Some female Nationals have raised concerns his return could damage the party’s electoral fortunes with women.
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Mr Joyce quit under immense pressure after sexual harassment allegations he strenuously denied emerged during a wave of controversy.
His initial trouble was triggered after an explosive report revealed his now-partner Vikki Campion – with whom he had an affair while she worked in his office – was expecting the couple’s first child.
Retiring Queensland MP Ken O’Dowd, who voted for Mr Joyce, said women in both their electorates had forgiven him.
“He has apologised to everyone for that, and he is prepared to take it on the chin and get on with the job,” he told the ABC.
Victorian MP Anne Webster – a McCormack supporter – said time would tell if the leadership change would hurt their standing with women.
WA Nationals leader Mia Davies, who was a vocal critic of Mr Joyce, said there were significant questions about his behaviour at the time.
Ms Davies said the spill showed the federal party was focused on internal matters over regional Australians.
“I’m very disappointed to see that there has been a leadership change,” the state opposition leader said.
Former Nationals federal president Larry Anthony said the party made a democratic choice to change leaders.
“He’s done time in the wilderness. It’s done. He suffered. He paid a price,” he told the ABC.
Mr Anthony believes voters in Queensland and west of the Great Dividing Range will welcome Mr Joyce’s return while Victoria and coastal areas could be different.
FALL AND RISE OF BARNABY JOYCE
2016
February – Barnaby Joyce elected unopposed to replace the retiring Warren Truss as Nationals leader, and becomes Deputy Prime Minister in the process.
2017
December – Having been caught up in the citizenship crisis, Joyce retains his seat of New England in a by-election. He later announces his separation from his wife.
2018
February – It is revealed he is expecting a child with his former media adviser Vikki Campion. Joyce resigns the Nationals leadership to “clear the air” over sexual harassment allegations, which he denies, and the scandal over his affair with Campion. He is replaced by Michael McCormack.
September – An investigation by the Nationals is indeterminate on the sexual harassment allegations.
October – McCormack insists he has the support of the Nationals party room amid rumblings Joyce is gunning for a return to the leadership.
2019
May – Coalition retains office at the federal election.
August – Joyce is appointed drought envoy by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, but is criticised for sending text messages instead of a formal report on his work.
2020
February – McCormack survives leadership spill, with David Littleproud replacing Bridget McKenzie after she quit over the sports rorts scandal. Joyce insists there will be a Morrison-McCormack government going to the next election. Backbencher Llew O’Brien quits the partyroom, but remains a member of the LNP. Joyce warns more MPs could follow O’Brien.
April – An entire chapter of Malcolm Turnbull’s book is devoted to Joyce and the ‘bonk ban’ episode.
December – O’Brien returns to the Nationals party room, saying he will push for coal-fired power and an exit from the Paris climate agreement. Campion takes aim at Veterans Affairs Minister Darren Chester over not doing enough to defend veterans caught up in the Afghan war crimes investigation.
2021
January – Joyce says the coalition is a “marriage of convenience” that diminishes both parties’ electoral prospects. McCormack says it is a “marriage of strength”.
February – Joyce hijacks his own government’s bill by seeking to allow the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to invest in coal-fired power. The bill disappears from the parliament program. His Nationals colleague Matt Canavan says net zero by 2050 is a “mythical target”.
June – Joyce challenges McCormack and wins back his old job.
