Barnaby Joyce (New England, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

There's no doubt about it: this is the ejection seat. It's about as far away as you can get from the dispatch box. If you're sitting here, they want you out there. In the past, I was asked to leave twice by Peter Dutton. I suppose, when they talk about generational change, it's pretty clear what people want.

One of the biggest things, though, is that, after five weeks—I announced this about five weeks ago—apart from a 90-second phone conversation with the Leader of the Nationals, I've had no communication with either the leader or the Deputy Leader of the Nationals to try and resolve this, and that's disappointing. So, after 30 years with the National Party, I am resigning from the party. That really leaves me with a heavy heart. I apologise for all the hurt that that will cause other people. I really do.

But it's not the most important thing. What is really important is that we understand those dealing with the cost-of-living crisis and that we go in to bat for them. What is really important is that they're still building intermittent power precincts and swindle factories in regional areas and destroying communities such as my own. What is really important is that the Chinese communist government are breathing down our necks and each day become more provocative. What is really important is that we have regional hospitals without doctors in them. What I have to do, if I'm going to continue with that fight, is get myself into a better position than the ejection chair at the back bench of the coalition in opposition.

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