Victorian opposition leader Jess Wilson has withdrawn from a regional conference headlined by former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, following criticism from the state’s Labor premier.
A spokesperson for the Victorian opposition confirmed on Monday that Wilson would no longer speak at the Across Victoria Alliance conference in Horsham on 9 February, citing an unavoidable scheduling conflict.
The withdrawal came after Premier Jacinta Allan accused Wilson of “cosying up” to One Nation by appearing at the event, which Joyce is set to headline weeks after defecting to the party.
The opposition said Nationals leader Danny O’Brien and Liberal upper house leader Bev McArthur would attend the conference in Wilson’s place.
Joyce criticised Wilson’s withdrawal, saying it appeared she had been pressured to pull out, while organisers said they remained open to meeting with her after the event.
