Barnaby Joyce is refusing to clarify his political allegiances as senior Nationals called on the MP to end the damaging speculation sparked by his refusal to attend a party room meeting on Monday and decide quickly whether he would remain with the junior Coalition partner.

Joyce skipped the meeting on Monday, but declared he would continue to sit with his colleagues in Parliament itself. The opposition’s net zero emissions policy was discussed in the meeting as Joyce again declared his disdain for the 2050 climate target and argued it had fuelled his discontent within the party.

Party leader David Littleproud said Joyce was welcome back in the party room, but the response was less tolerant from former leader Michael McCormack and Nationals federal president Kay Hull.

This masthead reve

See Full Page