Barnaby scandal divides
National MPs weigh up the cost of a messy challenge
NATIONAL MPs are retreating from threats to oust Barnaby Joyce as leader, conceding the political cost of a messy challenge would be too high.
But many of his colleagues are worried about his “erratic” and “unpredictable” behaviour as he digs in to save his political career amid a scandal over an affair with a now pregnant media adviser.
The deputy Prime Minister, who is on a week’s leave as he deals with the breakdown of his 24-year marriage, claims he is the victim of a “witch-hunt”, and has sent his colleagues a message that he’s “not going anywhere’’.
Yesterday, Mr Joyce lost the backing of the West Australian Nationals.
And last night, Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh would not publicly back Mr Joyce, saying his future was a decision for federal MPs.
WA Nationals leader Mia Davie told Mr Joyce he no longer had their support because of the continuing damage that he was causing.
His position was “no longer tenable”, she said.
Mr Joyce suggested the WA party stick to its own business, and reminded Ms Davie they had no federal MPs.
“I’ve been in heaps of fights in my political life — this is another one,” he told Fairfax.
“In any person’s political career, you aren’t created by the times in your favour, you’re tempered by the times of adversity.
“That’s how politics works — you rise to deal with it.”
News Corp understands that while seven to 10 federal Nationals MPs believe Mr Joyce should go, doubts are arising as to whether they will bring on a spill next week.
Colleagues fear he would “not be prepared to cop his medicine” should he be forced to sit on the backbench, and would “blow up the joint”.
“Does his behaviour strike you as someone who’d be a team player if he lost the job?” a NSW MP said yesterday. “The only option is for him to come to his senses, but I don’t think he’s capable of that.”