Senior Liberals have dismissed Barnaby Joyce's claim of talks over a One Nation deal as a 'figment of his imagination', deepening the political rift after his defection to Pauline Hanson's party. The accusation came after Joyce, who left the Nationals in December, said he had discussed a supply and confidence arrangement with senior Liberals to help the Coalition form minority government after the next election.
Joyce's Claims of One Nation Deal Talks
Joyce told News24 on Tuesday night that he had held talks with senior Liberals about a potential deal for supply and confidence to oust Anthony Albanese from power. He said One Nation would offer the Coalition support in exchange for policy outcomes. "We've said our job is to get rid of the socialists, so we would offer supply and confidence to the Coalition, and obviously on the premise of solid policy outcomes that we would want to happen," Joyce said. He added that One Nation would expect the same deal in return if the party won more seats than the Coalition.
Liberal Party Denials and Reactions
Opposition leader Angus Taylor on Wednesday denied any talks had taken place. "No and I gave no authority to anyone else to have that conversation," he said during a campaign stop in New South Wales. Senior Liberals accused Joyce of buyers remorse after defecting from the Nationals. One senior Liberal described his claims as a "figment of his imagination". The denial underscores the tension within conservative ranks as they seek to present a united front against Labor.
Key Takeaways
- Senior Liberals deny any talks with Barnaby Joyce about a One Nation deal.
- Joyce claims he discussed supply and confidence with senior Liberals.
- Angus Taylor explicitly denied any conversations took place.
- The dispute highlights divisions within the conservative movement.
- Pauline Hanson has appealed for unity against Labor ahead of the 2028 election.
Impact on Australian Politics
The spat comes as Pauline Hanson appeals to the Coalition and Angus Taylor to unite against Labor ahead of the 2028 election. Hanson said One Nation would offer supply and confidence to the Coalition on the premise of solid policy outcomes. However, the denial from senior Liberals suggests any such arrangement is far from reality. The episode also raises questions about Joyce's influence after his defection and his relationship with former colleagues.
Comparison of Positions
| Figure | Position on One Nation Deal |
|---|---|
| Barnaby Joyce | Claims talks occurred with senior Liberals |
| Angus Taylor | Denies any talks took place |
| Senior Liberals | Dismiss claims as 'figment of imagination' |
| Pauline Hanson | Offers supply and confidence for policy outcomes |
FAQ
What did Barnaby Joyce claim about One Nation deal talks?
Joyce claimed he held talks with senior Liberals about a potential deal for One Nation to offer supply and confidence to the Coalition after the next election, to help oust Anthony Albanese.
How did senior Liberals respond to Joyce's claims?
Senior Liberals rubbished the claims, accusing Joyce of buyers remorse after defecting from the Nationals and describing his assertion as a 'figment of his imagination'.
What is Pauline Hanson's stance on working with the Coalition?
Hanson has appealed to the Coalition and Angus Taylor to unite against Labor ahead of the 2028 election, offering supply and confidence in exchange for solid policy outcomes.
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