Nationals Leader Michael McCormack has assured “there is no vacancy for the leadership of the National Party” after Barnaby Joyce confirmed he would run for the top job if a spill was called.
Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce said on Monday “if there’s a vacancy, and after a spill there is, that I would stand”. Mr McCormack said “no spill has been called and I’m not expecting one to be called”, adding “I have the support of the National Party and nobody has phoned me to say that I haven’t”. “I’m sure Barnaby is ready to be the leader if there is a spill, but there has been no spill called,” he said.
“I have the overwhelming majority support in the party room and of course I am going to continue as the National Party leader.” Mr McCormack also defended Senator Bridget McKenzie after she resigned as deputy leader of the party on Sunday over the sports rorts scandal. “She has paid the ultimate price for failing to declare a membership of a clay target club, that is unfortunate and she has admitted this was an oversight on her part,” he said.
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