Barnaby Joyce has avoided labelling himself part of the Nationals, despite retaining his party membership and ruling out running as an independent.

In a statement two weeks ago, he said he would not recontest his seat of New England at the next election and would leave the Nationals at the end of his term - in 2028.

Mr Joyce said he was distancing himself from the National Party over a hard line position on net zero policy and a deteriorating relationship with party leadership.

“My position is against net zero. I don’t want to be part of a discussion of an amelioration of net zero. My position is no,” he told Sky News on Monday.

In arguing the harms of the “absurd” policy on regional communities, Mr Joyce referenced a stoush with Teal MPs in the House of Representatives on Monday morni

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