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.

It comes one day after Coalition figures said the former Nationals leader was actively considering defecting to One Nation .

The One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson – who was visiting Joyce’s electorate on Saturday for a party event – refused to say whether she had spoken with Joyce about joining her party, but said he would be welcome and was “more aligned with One Nation than what he was with the National party”.

“I’ll encourage him: Barnaby, I’ll open doors for you. Come across to One Nation. I think he’s got a lot to offer in politics,” Hanson said. Li

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