Barnaby Joyce announcement to quit Nationals heightens speculation about One Nation move

<p>MP tells supporters he won’t run for his seat of New England at next election and is ‘free to now consider all options’</p><ul><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>Barnaby Joyce has told supporters he intends to quit the Nationals, won’t run for his seat of New England at the next election, and is “free to now consider all options” – heightening speculation he may switch parties in parliament.</p><p>It comes one day after Coalition figures said the former Nationals leader was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/oct/17/barnaby-joyce-actively-considering-defection-to-one-nation-say-coalition-sources">actively considering defecting to One Nation</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/oct/18/barnaby-joyce-decision-to-leave-nationals-heightens-speculation-about-one-nation-move">Continue reading...</a>