Former Deputy Prime Minister Aligns With One Nation Movement
This week, Barnaby Joyce, a well-known Australian politician, said he was leaving the Nationals to join One Nation. He made this choice less than two weeks after stepping down as leader of the party he used to lead.
Joyce told Tamworth radio that he knew the move would hurt some people, and he understood how shocked long-time supporters of the Nationals were.
Pauline Hanson Welcomes Joyce Into Her Expanding Party
Pauline Hanson, the leader of One Nation, lauded Joyce’s dedication to and expertise in remote regions. She stated that adding him will make the party’s voice stronger for farmers and working Australians.
Hanson said that the two of them want to turn this country around to make it great again, which is similar to how she appeals to rural folks.
A Shift From Coalition Politics to Populist Conservatism
Joyce’s leaving is an uncommon case of someone leaving the Nationals, which is an important aspect of the Liberal-National collaboration. The coalition is now Australia’s federal opposition, led by conservatives.
David Littleproud, the leader of the Nationals, said he was disappointed and called One Nation a party of protest that was more interested in headlines than in genuine results in government.
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Joyce’s Criticism of Immigration and Energy Policies
Joyce said on Facebook that he was moving because of high levels of immigration and bad environment policy. He said that Australia’s shift to cleaner energy has hurt the stability of the country’s businesses and homes.
He also said that immigration made it harder for people to buy houses and raise kids, which is in line with One Nation’s long-standing anti-immigration attitude.
Nationalism and Cultural Unity in Joyce’s New Platform
Joyce also said that Australia could accept numerous races and religions, but not multiple cultures. He said that a shared Australian identity is necessary for national unity.
His comments are similar to One Nation’s nationalist language, which opponents argue creates divisiveness while pretending to protect culture.
The Controversial History of One Nation and Its Leader
Pauline Hanson has been in trouble for a long time because of her beliefs against immigration. In her early comments in parliament, she said that both Asians and Muslims were going to swamp Australia.
People have widely condemned her symbolic acts, such as approaching parliament in a burqa to protest Islamic attire, and the parliament has formally censured her.
A Political Career Marked by Scandal and Media Attention
Barnaby Joyce’s political career has been rocky, with a lot of scandal and public attention. He stepped down as deputy prime minister in 2018 after it came to light that he had an affair with a staff member.
He also became well-known throughout the world following a spat with stars Johnny Depp and Amber Heard in 2015 over Australia’s rigorous biosecurity requirements for their pet canines.
Future Role and Upcoming Electoral Plans in the Senate
Joyce will be One Nation’s representative in the lower house until the next federal election. Hanson confirmed that he will seek the Senate following that.
His decision shows that One Nation wants to have more power outside of the Senate and be more present in rural and regional areas of Australia.
