This masthead reported in February that Nationals leader David Littleproud implemented a rule to hide Joyce during the election campaign, effectively barring him from conducting political trips outside his electorate and further alienating him within the party.

Littleproud declined to comment. Ley’s office was contacted for comment.

Since the Coalition’s comprehensive loss at the May 2025 election, Joyce has campaigned against Australia’s net zero emissions targets.

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Joyce’s move follows that of a senior NSW Nationals official in Joyce’s New England electorate, Steve Coxhead, who last week quit from his position as Tamworth branch chairman to join One Nation.

“I have resigned as I believe the party does not adequately represent NSW regional and rural voters any more,” said Coxhead, who listed climate policies and environmental restrictions on farmers as major concerns.

“One Nation is filling the void that has been left by major political parties.”

Joyce applauded Coxhead’s move, saying: “My great fear is not people changing parties but rather the loss of the freedom to do so.”

While Joyce has been viewed as a potential leadership challenger to Littleproud, he no longer has enough support in the party room due to the retirement of key allies.

Joyce was first elected Nationals leader in 2016, following the resignation of Warren Truss from the post. Joyce stepped down in 2018 following revelations he was having an affair and was expecting a child with his former communications staffer, and now wife, Vikki Campion. Joyce once again led the party after deposing Michael McCormack in 2021. Joyce lost the leadership to Littleproud in May 2022.

His standing in the party was once again diminished after an incident in February 2024, when he was filmed stumbling and apparently intoxicated on a footpath about 11.30pm after attending functions in parliament.

Then-leader of the opposition Peter Dutton suggested he retire after the incident, and Joyce held lengthy talks with Hanson about joining One Nation at that time.

However, the talks did not lead to action, and Joyce continued to serve on the frontbench of the Dutton-led opposition as spokesman for veterans’ affairs.

Since the May election, Joyce has been relegated to the backbench.

One Nation’s vote is surging, according to opinion polling. The party gained two senators – up to a total of four – at the last election, but its lower house vote did not grow as predicted.