MEMBER for Mallee Anne Webster has pledged her support for Barnaby Joyce after he returned to the leadership of the National Party on Monday.
Dr Webster said she voted for Michael McCormack to remain as leader in a late-morning party room ballot that came after Mr Joyce’s close friend and ally, former resources minister Matt Canavan, moved a spill motion against the incumbent.
“Barnaby won today’s party room ballot and I will offer him the same loyalty that I gave Michael,” Dr Webster said.
“My ultimate focus is on representing the best interests of the people of Mallee.
“Every day I fight for our communities, our infrastructure, our access to water, our access to health care, and our access to the workforce we need.
“I will approach my duties with the same relentless vigour under Barnaby’s leadership.”
Mr Joyce said he had learnt from his sins of the past that forced him to step down as leader three years ago.
“I hope I come back a better person,” he told reporters in Canberra on Monday afternoon.
One of the most contentious issues among Nationals MPs is about how to tackle climate change.
Mr Joyce said he would be guided on climate policy by his party room’s view on what is best for regional Australia.
“It is not Barnaby policy, it’s Nationals’ policy, and Nationals’ policy is what I will be an advocate for,” he said.
Members have been complaining that the Prime Minister’s pursuit of net zero emissions, preferably by 2050, is not a policy position agreed to by the Nats’ party room.
Mr Joyce said if the party room believes the best deal for regional Australia is to secure their jobs and industries, and clearly understand the dynamics of an Australian economy “as opposed to a Danish one or a German one”, that is the view he would take.
Dr Webster said she hoped that any talks Mr Joyce has with Scott Morrison on climate change would represent the views of the party room.
Mr Morrison welcomed Mr Joyce as the new Nationals leader and deputy prime minister.
“Barnaby and I have a shared passion for ensuring our regions and rural communities thrive,” he said.
