Barnaby Joyce confirms defection from Nationals, but says no decision made on One Nation move

Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce has announced he is defecting from the Nationals after three decades with the party, but hasn’t decided whether to now join One Nation.

The New England MP, who was leader of the Nationals for two stints while the Coalition was in government, made a short speech in parliament this afternoon confirming he is leaving the party.

“After 30 years with the National Party, I am resigning from the party,” Joyce said.

“And that leaves me with a heavy heart. And I apologise for all of the hurt that that will cause, I really do.”

While Joyce was widely expected to announce a move to Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, he said he hasn’t made a decision about potentially joining the minor party.

“I dunno, I haven’t made that decision,” he told reporters in a short press conference immediately after his speech.