Michael McCormack new Deputy PM, Nationals leader
AUSTRALIA: National Party members and senators have elected the low-profile Riverina MP Michael McCormack as their new leader to replace Barnaby Joyce who resigned amid scandal last week.
McCormack now becomes Deputy Prime Minister. McCormack defeated the outspoken renegade backbench MP, George Christensen, who was a surprise last-minute nomination for the coveted post which had been expected to be decided without contest.
Christensen’s intervention could be seen as a signal to the new leadership that he intends to continue his abrasive political style of right wing populism which has seen him campaign aggressively on policy differences with the Turnbull government on a range of issues from climate change, to immigration, and even to the formal partnership with the Liberal Party.
McCormack automatically becomes Deputy Prime Minister under a coalition agreement between the Nationals and the larger Liberal Party.
‘‘I will honour that faith and trust and responsibility by doing my best always. I am a team player and I am going to be doing it with the very best team in rural and regional Australia,’’ McCormack said shortly after the ballot, flanked by his team.
The 8am meeting in Parliament House ended weeks of damaging controversy dogging the Turnbull government, the Nationals, and in particular the former high-profile leader, Joyce.
Joyce fell amid criticism of his affair with his former media adviser Vikki Campion, with whom he is now expecting a child, and an allegation of sexual harassment.
In the lead-up to the meeting, McCormack saw off a strong challenge from talented newcomer, Agriculture Minister David Littleproud, who leapfrogged McCormack and the outer ministry to go straight into cabinet in the reshuffle announced by Turnbull just before Christmas 2017.
Sources say Littleproud was as close as one vote away from securing an absolute majority but was subject to a spirited campaign against him by fellow Queenslander, Barry O’Sullivan.
Party whip Michelle Landry announced the result of the party room ballot but declined to say what the final numbers were.