No threat to Coalition

ACTING Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie has called for a smooth change of leadership when her party meets to replace Barnaby Joyce, but she is at odds with one of her outspoken colleagues who believes it is an opportune time to end the coalition with the Liberals.

The Nationals will hold a special party meeting today where Mr Joyce will formally stand down after weeks of fallout surrounding his marriage break-up and a relationship with former staffer Vikki Campion who is now pregnant.

NSW MP Michael McCormack is likely to emerge with the top job after the only other declared candidate, David Gillespie, withdrew on yesterday.

Queensland MP George Christensen has called for the Nationals to break the coalition, characterising the Turnbull government on a “leftward drift” which was shackling the Nationals.

But Sen McKenzie has reaffirmed the coalition and its arrangements.