Fighting talk from leader under fire

DEPUTY Prime Minister Michael McCormack has vowed to dig in against the internal campaign being waged against his Nationals leadership.

Mr McCormack suffered another damaging leak yesterday after it emerged his office encouraged Nationals to charge taxpayers for flights and accommodation to a lavish party in Melbourne. He now says MPs and senators will pay for themselves.

He also hit back against Barnaby Joyce’s supporters who continue to destabilise the party: “You haven’t seen just how much of a fighter I am,” Mr McCormack told the Nine Network.