One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has scolded journalists for falsely reporting Barnaby Joyce would succeed her after she eventually stepped down from politics, joking: “I haven’t got a foot in the grave yet”.

The National Party was thrown into turmoil on Saturday after its former leader, Mr Joyce, announced he would not be standing for re-election in the seat of New England at the end of the current term.

It came amid rampant speculation the MP was in advanced talks to join One Nation and reports Senator Hanson was trying to convince a range of high-profile Coalition figures to defect to her party, including Queensland Nationals Senator Matt Canavan and Nationals MP Colin Boyce.

It was even reported by the Australian Financial Review Mr Joyce would succeed Senator Hanson as One Nation l

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