THE Mallee’s federal Nationals MP is involved in a fresh rift within the party over former leader Barnaby Joyce’s latest controversy, after party-room discussions were leaked to the media.
According to a report in The Age newspaper, Anne Webster told colleagues that Mr Joyce, filmed last week swearing on a mobile phone while lying on his back in a Canberra street, had harmed the party’s standing with voters, especially women.
The Member for Mallee would not comment about the Age report when asked by Sunraysia Daily on Tuesday and declined an opportunity to confirm or deny whether it was accurate.
Quoting three unnamed Nationals MPs, The Age reported that Dr Webster had noted the Coalition’s “woman problem” was highlighted at the last election and she argued Joyce’s presence would only do more damage.
It would not be the first time Dr Webster has expressed misgivings about the behaviour of Mr Joyce, who has attributed his latest controversy to a mixture of alcohol and prescription drugs.
Before the party-room ballot that returned him to the party’s leadership in June, 2021, she said female voters would not welcome his return.
“I’ve had people write to me about this, of course, and some would be very unimpressed,” she told the ABC at the time.
Mr Joyce had previously resigned from the party leadership, and his role as deputy prime minister, in 2018.
He had been accused of sexual harassment by former WA Rural Woman of the Year Catherine Marriott, allegations he strongly denied and which were unresolved by an inconclusive party investigation.
The previous year, Mr Joyce announced a separation from his wife and it was later reported that he was expecting a child with a former staffer, Vikki Campion, who is his current wife.
Then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull called for Mr Joyce to “consider his own position” before the Nationals leader eventually resigned.
After the 2021 leadership ballot, Dr Webster said publicly that she had voted for his rival, Michael McCormack.
She reportedly said at the time, however, that Mr Joyce should be given the chance to prove claims he had become a better person.
“We all need to be gracious enough to allow him to do that and support him from the get-go,” she was quoted as saying.
“Some people are ecstatic and some are really concerned. Ultimately, only Barnaby can prove his mettle as leader.”
When a routine leadership spill followed the Coalition’s 2022 federal election defeat, Mr Joyce was successfully challenged by his deputy, David Littleproud, who remains leader of the Nationals.
Mr Joyce is now the Opposition’s spokesperson for veterans affairs.
Dr Webster was elevated within the party and the Coalition after the election defeat, becoming the Opposition’s assistant spokesperson for regional health.
