One Nation ‘Not an Open Door’ for Coalition Defectors: Joyce

“It’s not just because you jump that we catch you,” One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce said following the party’s victory in the Farrer by-election.

Australia's former Deputy Prime Minister and now-One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce speaks during the 'Put Australia First' rally in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 21, 2025. George Chan/AFP via Getty Images

One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has made it clear his party will not just accept any politician who wants to defect from the Liberal and National parties.

“It’s not just because you jump doesn’t mean we catch you. What does that mean? Well, it’s not an open door that anybody who wishes, just walks into One Nation,” Joyce told ABC Radio.

“I mean, obviously, the Liberal Party really do have to do some soul-searching after the weekend because that was catastrophic. That is almost a signal that things might be over.”

Joyce’s comments come after Nationals MP Colin Boyce revealed he was considering a switch to One Nation after the Farrer by-election.

Joyce himself defected from the Nationals in December 2025, joining One Nation after having served as both Nationals leader and deputy prime minister under the former Morrison government.

One Nation Wins Farrer by A Large Margin

One Nation candidate David Farley cruised to victory in the regional seat of Farrer in a by-election on May 9 following former Liberal Leader Sussan Ley’s resignation from parliament.

The result delivers One Nation its first seat in the House of Representatives and ends the Coalition’s 77 year hold on the electorate of Farrer.

One Nation dominated the primary vote with 39.5 percent, ahead of teal independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe on 28.4 percent.

The Liberal Party secured just 12.4 percent of the first preference vote while the Nationals won 9.7 percent at the time of writing, according to the Australian Electoral Commission. 

On a two-party preferred basis, One Nation’s Farley gained 57.4 percent of the vote, defeating Milthorpe with 42.6 percent.

One Nation ‘Not a Party of Government’: Albanese

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese argued that One Nation was not a party of government.

“I respect people’s right to vote whatever way they determine. But One Nation is not a party of government. They are a political party led by someone who’s promoted grievance rather than solutions. he told ABC Radio on May 11.

“And I understand, though, a protest vote will be cast. In this case, it was a devastating result I think for Angus Taylor and the Liberal Party.”

Albanese also said the Liberal and National Coalition made a “big mistake” legitimising One Nation by adopting a lighter version of their policies and then giving them preferences.

“They were saying effectively that it was okay to vote for One Nation rather than the traditional conservative party. I think also there’s been a great deal of disappointment with the breakup of the Coalition.  Not once, but twice.” he said.