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Nationals' Fiona Nash facing snub in ballot for Senate leadership Nationals' Fiona Nash facing snub in ballot for Senate leadership
(7 days later)
The Nationals are preparing to block a bid by one of the two women in their party for a leadership role in the Senate.The Nationals are preparing to block a bid by one of the two women in their party for a leadership role in the Senate.
Senator Fiona Nash is the party's acting leader in the Senate following the departure of Barnaby Joyce, who has moved to the seat of New England.Senator Fiona Nash is the party's acting leader in the Senate following the departure of Barnaby Joyce, who has moved to the seat of New England.
National party senators are due to vote for the leadership on Friday, the same day as the Coalition's first joint party meeting in government. The leadership decisions in both houses will be an important step in the party's succession planning for the Coalition's term in government.National party senators are due to vote for the leadership on Friday, the same day as the Coalition's first joint party meeting in government. The leadership decisions in both houses will be an important step in the party's succession planning for the Coalition's term in government.
It is understood Nash will nominate for Senate leader along with the Northern Territory Country Liberal and current deputy National leader, Nigel Scullion.It is understood Nash will nominate for Senate leader along with the Northern Territory Country Liberal and current deputy National leader, Nigel Scullion.
There is a move by senior members, including Nash's fellow New South Wales National senator John Williams, to support Scullion over Nash. It is understood Scullion also has the support of retiring Queensland senator Ron Boswell, while Victorian senator Bridget McKenzie would support Nash.There is a move by senior members, including Nash's fellow New South Wales National senator John Williams, to support Scullion over Nash. It is understood Scullion also has the support of retiring Queensland senator Ron Boswell, while Victorian senator Bridget McKenzie would support Nash.
The vote would swing on the incoming Queensland senator, Barry O'Sullivan, who replaces Joyce. If the vote between the six senators is tied, it is opened up to the full party room.The vote would swing on the incoming Queensland senator, Barry O'Sullivan, who replaces Joyce. If the vote between the six senators is tied, it is opened up to the full party room.
While the longstanding National party leader, Warren Truss, is safe in the leadership for the moment, Joyce is expected to stand for the deputy leadership, as is the current spokesman for agriculture, John Cobb.While the longstanding National party leader, Warren Truss, is safe in the leadership for the moment, Joyce is expected to stand for the deputy leadership, as is the current spokesman for agriculture, John Cobb.
A number of National MPs confirmed Joyce had enough support to win the deputy's position.A number of National MPs confirmed Joyce had enough support to win the deputy's position.
The leadership struggles represent a generational change in the party, between the old-style Nationals with a more "coalitionist" approach and those in favour of greater "product differentiation" from their Liberal partners.The leadership struggles represent a generational change in the party, between the old-style Nationals with a more "coalitionist" approach and those in favour of greater "product differentiation" from their Liberal partners.
The strong support of Joyce for the deputy would be considered a win for those in the party who believe the National leadership should be more high-profile than the approach taken by previous leaders such as John Anderson, Tim Fischer and the present leader, Truss.The strong support of Joyce for the deputy would be considered a win for those in the party who believe the National leadership should be more high-profile than the approach taken by previous leaders such as John Anderson, Tim Fischer and the present leader, Truss.
"We need to have a strong profile. Barnaby has had that in the past and will in the future," one MP said."We need to have a strong profile. Barnaby has had that in the past and will in the future," one MP said.
A win by Nash in the Senate ballot would be consistent with a more high-profile approach by the Nationals, though some in the party feel it may be a step too far.A win by Nash in the Senate ballot would be consistent with a more high-profile approach by the Nationals, though some in the party feel it may be a step too far.
The succession planning follows a surprising 2.1% drop in the Liberal National party's primary vote in Queensland. This compared with a 3.4% swing against the ALP and a 4.8% drop in the Greens' primary vote.The succession planning follows a surprising 2.1% drop in the Liberal National party's primary vote in Queensland. This compared with a 3.4% swing against the ALP and a 4.8% drop in the Greens' primary vote.
In spite of Tony Abbott urging Australians not to "waste a vote" on the minor parties, the Palmer United party, which only formed this year, won 11.3% of the primary vote in Queensland. In non-metropolitan areas, the PUP primary vote increased to 13.4%.In spite of Tony Abbott urging Australians not to "waste a vote" on the minor parties, the Palmer United party, which only formed this year, won 11.3% of the primary vote in Queensland. In non-metropolitan areas, the PUP primary vote increased to 13.4%.
Clive Palmer's highly resourced campaign has some Nationals feeling their party should seek a higher profile.Clive Palmer's highly resourced campaign has some Nationals feeling their party should seek a higher profile.
Sources said the Coalition leadership was considering a "super portfolio" that would include agriculture and water, a role likely to go to Joyce rather than Cobb, the current agriculture spokesman.Sources said the Coalition leadership was considering a "super portfolio" that would include agriculture and water, a role likely to go to Joyce rather than Cobb, the current agriculture spokesman.
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