Joyce backs leader

‘Boil has been lanced’ but Barnaby won’t rule out future role

BARNABY Joyce has not ruled out a return to the Nationals leadership but insists another challenge to Michael McCormack will not happen.

Mr McCormack – the deputy prime minister – defeated Mr Joyce on Tuesday after a spill triggered a vote during a meeting in Canberra.

Mr Joyce said “no one” would rule out leading their party at some stage before arguing another challenge would not happen.

“I have got no intention whatsoever to be challenging anybody for the leadership,” he told ABC New England.

“People say ‘never ever would you ever consider standing?’ No you can’t do that because you just don’t know what will happen in the future.

“But I’m glad this issue’s been dealt with, the boil has been lanced and you move on.” He said he would support Mr McCormack and Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Mr McCormack called for unity after the spill. “I appreciate that yesterday was probably necessary to take place, it has taken place,” the deputy prime minister told Sky News.

“Barnaby has pledged his loyalty, he said he won’t rechallenge.”

A rump of Nationals colleagues are unhappy with Mr McCormack for failing to cut through with regional voters and struggling to stand up to the Liberal Party on issues.

Mr McCormack could face another challenge if his performance does not improve. Mr Joyce said the Nationals needed a leader willing to get a “blood nose” fighting for regional Australia.

Mr Morrison said Mr McCormack had apologised for the ugly episode, which overshadowed a day of Parliament intended to honour bushfire victims.

“I was happy to see the Nationals deal with these matters as quickly as possible, as they did, so we could get the focus very quickly back onto the importance of yesterday,” he told the Nine Network.