It’s a big morning for Australian politics.
Adam Bandt has just been elected as the new Greens leader, whilst national embarrassment Barnaby Joyce has narrowly missed out on being Deputy Prime Minister.
An eventful morning for Australian politics as the Greens appoint a new leader and Barnaby Joyce is rejected for the role of Deputy PM.
Yesterday Richard Di Natale, leader of the Greens, announced his shock resignation.
Speaking on the matter, Di Natale cited family reasons:
“It’s not a decision I have come to lightly, because leading this incredible movement for nearly five years has been one of the biggest honours of my life,” Natale described.
“But my boys are nine and 11 years old now and they’ve only ever known their dad as a busy and tired, and sometimes grumpy, politician…They are growing up quickly and I want to spend more time by their side.”
Mr Bandt, who is the only Greens lower house member, was elected without opposition this morning by his colleagues at Parliament House.
Meanwhile, yesterday Barnaby Joyce called for a challenge to Michael McCormack, who currently serves as the leader of the Nationals and Deputy Prime Minister.
The challenge arose after deputy Nationals leader, Bridget McKenzie resigned on Sunday. McKenzie was embroiled in controversy after it came out she was a member of a shooting club which was given around $36,000 in a controversial sports grant program that McKenzie herself oversaw.
Barnaby Joyce took the opportunity to call for a leadership spill, challenging current leader McCormack – an effort which has now ultimately proved unsuccessful.
Mr McCormack has been the leader of the Nationals ever since Barnaby lost the job due to scandal two years ago. At the time, Barnaby announced his separation from his wife because he was having a baby with his former communications staffer, Vikki Campion.
Barnaby has quite the resumé of cringe-worthy public moments. In 2016, he made Johnny Depp and Amber Heard record a video for the Australian Government Department of Agriculture after they brought their dogs into the country without permission.
Another such moment is when he likened his own experience to the hardships of unemployed Australians, claiming he was struggling on a $211,000 salary.
You can check out Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s biosecurity video below.
