Barnaby Joyce says his defection to One Nation has helped fuel the party’s rising support and made it more socially acceptable to back.
Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has claimed responsibility for a surge in support for One Nation following his defection from the Coalition in December.
Speaking on ABC News Breakfast, Joyce said he had contributed to both the party’s growth and its broader acceptability.
Joyce said his move had given voters “licence” to openly support One Nation, arguing it had normalised backing the once-fringe party.
He dismissed suggestions other Nationals MPs would follow him, saying the support was driven by One Nation’s policies rather than defections.
Joyce pointed to recent parliamentary debates as evidence of One Nation’s influence, citing similarities between amendments proposed by Liberal MPs and those advanced by One Nation.
Last month, a proposed amendment to Labor’s antisemitism laws by Liberal MP Phil Thompson closely mirrored an amendment Joyce had put forward for One Nation.
Thompson’s amendment was voted down by the government, while Joyce’s was withdrawn because it duplicated the proposal.
Joyce’s comments came a day after he publicly urged the Coalition to reunite in the House of Representatives.
