General News
10 February, 2026
Political alternative: Former deputy PM Barnaby Joyce speaks on farming, rights and renewables
Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce addressed about 150 people in Horsham on the eve of the inaugural Across Victoria Alliance conference, on Sunday, February 8.
AVA chair Andrew Weidermann welcomed mayors, CEOs, local government officials, community members, and One Nation representatives to the dinner at the Horsham Golf Club, before introducing Mr Joyce.
The former deputy prime minister explained his decision to leave the Nationals for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, stating that Australians deserve a genuine political alternative.
Maintaining his direct approach, Mr Joyce addressed topics such as multiculturalism, food and fibre production in the Wimmera, Australia’s vulnerability from government agreements with China, his portrayal in Chinese media, water and fuel shortages, transmission lines, basic human rights, the emergency services levy, and the impact of government and corporate actions on Australians’ rights.
“The most concerning thing about Australia’s position at the moment is how far the pendulum has swung in how we do things and what we are allowed to do,” he claimed.
Mr Joyce opened the two-day AVA conference in Horsham, which brought together 27 community-based groups from Victoria and representatives from South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland.
These groups formed in response to increasing concerns about mining, transmission lines, and large-scale renewable energy projects, particularly where transparency, accountability, and community consultation have been questioned.
In 2025, he resigned from the National Party to become a member of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party, after what he described as becoming frustrated with the lack of strength in the National Party’s leadership, which in turn influenced his change of political direction.
The dinner drew attendees interested in hearing One Nation’s platform as an alternative to the two major parties, a point Mr Joyce emphasised as essential for Australian voters.
“We will go to the election offering the Australian people an alternative, with policies that work for the Australian people,” he said.
“And it is these policies that you’ll vote for, not Pauline [Hanson] or Barnaby.”
He expressed appreciation for the warm reception at the conference’s opening event, and jokingly noted his disappointment that Premier Jacinta Allan did not attend.
“Politicians should turn up when they are invited,” he claimed.
“The big mistake some politicians make is they think they own your vote, and they don’t.
“The state is not God, the state serves the people, not the other way around.”
Mr Joyce stated that Australians of all backgrounds should have the opportunity to succeed globally.
He argued that, in his view, large governments and corporations can undermine this right.
“Domestic millionaires and overseas multi-nationals are getting rich through deals done with transmission lines,” he alleged, without naming individuals.
“They turn up at your property with police and security guards, denying you and your father’s and grandfather’s basic rights,” he said, referring to the VNI West line proposed to pass through Victorian farmland.
“Your grandparents worked the land, suffered hardship, family breakdowns, skin cancers and more, but that is being disregarded by a government that denies your rights.”
He claimed the Chinese involvement in Australia’s critical minerals was an illogical intrusion into the basic rights of Australians.
Mr Joyce continued what he described as a lack of transparency in dealings with China.
"God is not making any more agricultural land," he said.
"I am not against mining, but it must not be at the expense of food and fibre.
"There is plenty of space in Australia to mine that will not impact farming or farmers.”
When asked about water, he stated that One Nation supports building dams for water storage and endorses coal-fired energy.
He was questioned about One Nation’s approach to multiculturalism; he said it had not worked in Australia but had nothing to do with nationalities or religion.
“People come to Australia to live, come for a better life,” he said.
“One Nation has people from many countries as members.
“The issue is when people come here, they must be prepared to live and abide by Australian culture, and that’s what we have to build.
“But that takes strength to do.”
In answer to a question from the floor about the real cost of the renewable rollout, he said he would welcome a national debate.
“They, [the government] won’t tell me how much they’re shelling out," he alleged.
"So let’s get a debate happening and ask them."
With transmission lines planned to cross his own farm land, he said he understood the pain in the room for people similarly affected.
He claimed recent polling showed growing support for One Nation, including in metropolitan areas.
Mr Joyce highlighted the importance of governments listening to their councils, which are at the forefront of the people.
“If the people say no to something, governments should listen to the local government,” he said.
During the dinner, the MP moved from table to table to listeni to concerns.
The three-time deputy prime minister has served for more than 20 years as a Federal Member of Parliament.
He first served in the Federal Senate before moving to the House of Representatives, representing the New England seat.
He has held several portfolios, including agriculture, water resources, Northern Australia, infrastructure and transport, and the shadow ministry for veterans' affairs.
His early career was as a small business accountant based in St George, which he said has given him the financial and business experience to understand government budgets.
The two-day conference continued on Monday, featuring Danny O'Brien, leader of The Nationals Victoria, and Bev McArthur, Western Victoria Region MLC.
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