Barnaby Joyce has called on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to stand down following the Liberal Leader’s 30th consecutive loss in the Newspoll survey.
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Member for New England and former deputy prime minister Mr Joyce said the Prime Minister should do the “honourable thing” and stand down if he can’t turn his popularity around by the end of 2018.
Speculation has surrounded the Liberal leadership this week as former Prime Minister Tony Abbott was ousted by Mr Turnbull after he lost 30 consecutive Newspoll surveys.
“You have an obligation to all around you that if you honestly believe that is the case, then you must do something about it and do the honourable thing and start grooming an alternative.
“Now we are a long, long way from that at the moment. But if I said ‘Oh well, no-one ever considers it, everything’s fine’ well that is also not telling the truth. The first thing you’ve got to be with the electorate is truthful.”
Mr Joyce told Sky News that the Prime Minister is “not a fool” and knows he would have to stand aside at the end of the year if the government did not turn the polls around.
“Nobody wants to actually go to a federal election which you know you’re going to lose,” he said.
“You have an obligation to all around you that if you honestly believe that is the case, then you must do something about it and do the honourable thing and start grooming an alternative.
“Now we are a long, long way from that at the moment. But if I said ‘Oh well, no-one ever considers it, everything’s fine’ well that is also not telling the truth. The first thing you’ve got to be with the electorate is truthful.”
Mr Joyce is familiar with leadership woes, he was Deputy Prime Minister until an extramarital affair with an ex-staffer was revealed by The Daily Telegraph. Mr Joyce is expecting a baby with the staffer this month.
Grace Ryan
Deputy Editor at the Central Western Daily, Orange. You'll mostly find me tinkering in social media and newsletters. Working hard to get our stories in front of your eyes.
Deputy Editor at the Central Western Daily, Orange. You'll mostly find me tinkering in social media and newsletters. Working hard to get our stories in front of your eyes.
