Barnaby Joyce is in advanced talks to defect from the Nationals to Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party.
Joyce, who represents the NSW regional electorate of New England, declined to comment when asked if he would change parties.
Hanson did not deny the ongoing discussions when asked by this masthead on Friday afternoon.
“If Barnaby wants to come to One Nation, I’d be happy to have him,” she said, also suggesting other MPs in the Coalition who were disaffected could join her party. […]
FWIW I don’t think anyone actually moves to the right as they age. I think that a certain type of person is unwilling to move forward as the world does.
Someone who came of age in the 90s lived in a world where casual racism and sexism was more acceptable, being suspicious of the gays was fairly normal, transgender rights were unheard of, and the people with solar panels and electric cars really were eccentric cranks. If you were a fairly unenlightened but middle of the road person then and are offended by having your fixed views challenged then you’re a right wing crank now.
If you have even a remotely open mind then you’ll be okay.