Barnaby Joyce confirms there will be a spill of the Nationals leadership and he IS running - two years after he resigned amid pressure over his relationship with Vikki Campion
- Barnaby Joyce has officially confirmed he is running for Nationals leadership
- It comes two years after resigning over controversial relationship with Campion
- If he succeeds, Mr Joyce will become the Deputy Prime Minister by default
- Mr Joyce served as Nationals leader from February 2016 to February 2018
- He was Deputy Prime Minister between 2016-2017 and again until 2018
Barnaby Joyce has confirmed there will be a spill of the Nationals leadership tomorrow and he will put his hand up - two years after he resigned amid pressure over his relationship with staffer Vikki Campion.
If he succeeds, Mr Joyce will become the Deputy Prime Minister by default, taking up the position for a third time.
He served as the party's leader from February 2016 to February 2018, and was Deputy Prime Minister from February 2016 to October 2017 and from December 2017 to February 2018.
'I've informed [current Nationals leader] Michael McCormack this afternoon that with due respect there will be a spill,' Mr Joyce told reporters on Monday afternoon.
'The prime minister talks about the quiet Australians, our job is to represent the near-invisible Australians.'
Barnaby Joyce has confirmed he is running for Nationals leadership less than a year after he resigned amid pressure over his relationship with staffer Vikki Campion. Pictured with their son
Barnaby Joyce with his partner Vikki Campion and sons Sebastian (on right) and Thomas (cradled)
Earlier in the day My Joyce told the Seven Network he would 'put his hand up' if there was a spill.
'I will leave that up to my colleagues. They can make the call,' he said.
The New England MP resigned from his position as Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals leader in 2018 after news broke of his affair with ex-staffer Ms Campion.
The politician issued a public apology to his wife and children saying he was 'deeply sorry for all the hurt this has caused'.
The couple have two young sons, Thomas and Sebastian.
The Nationals will vote tomorrow to decide who will become the next deputy prime minister and leader of the party.
The announcement puts Mr McCormack's position in jeopardy.
Earlier today, Wide Bay MP Llew O'Brien said he will call for a leadership spill at the party room meeting on Tuesday.
'I will be calling for a spill for the position of leader at the Nationals party room meeting tomorrow,' he said in a statement.
'Anything further is matter for the party room.'
Mr McCormack had earlier dismissed speculation his job was at risk, despite Mr Joyce rekindling threats to topple the deputy prime minister.
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Nationals MPs also need to vote for a new deputy leader after Bridget McKenzie resigned over the sports rorts scandal.
Water, Drought and Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud is the frontrunner to replace Senator McKenzie.
Mr McCormack is confident he will continue as leader.
'There is no vacancy for the leadership, at the moment, of the National Party,' he told reporters at Parliament House.
'I have delivered for rural and regional Australia.'
Nationals Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack's roles are in jeopardy
Senator McKenzie would not be drawn on what was likely to happen at the meeting, insisting only her old deputy's role was up for grabs.
'In true National Party fashion, I'm sure there will be a Melbourne Cup field of candidates,' she told reporters.
Mr Joyce, who resigned as deputy prime minister in February 2018, talked up his record as Nationals leader.
'We had the maximum number of cabinet ministers we ever had, we won back more seats than we had in about 30 years, we delivered some big changes,' Mr Joyce said.
Resources Minister Matt Canavan is standing by Mr McCormack and will not be the one to call a spill.
'Of course I support Michael McCormack as leader of the National Party,' he told reporters.
Senator Canavan confirmed he will not run for the deputy leadership, paving the way for Mr Littleproud to succeed Senator McKenzie.
