Barnaby Joyce, who defected from the Nationals to join Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party in December, recently asserted that he has been in communication with senior Liberal figures regarding a potential political alliance. According to Joyce, these discussions centered on a supply and confidence agreement designed to oust the current Labor government after the next federal election. Joyce suggested that such a deal could provide a pathway to power for a coalition of conservative forces.

In response, senior Liberal Party members have categorically denied the existence of any such negotiations. These officials described Joyce’s claims as a "figment of his imagination," suggesting that the comments may stem from "buyer’s remorse" following his departure from the Nationals. While Pauline Hanson has publicly called for the Coalition and opposition leader Angus Taylor to unite against Labor, the Liberal Party has distanced itself from the suggestion of a formal arrangement with One Nation.

The disagreement highlights a growing friction between the established Coalition parties and the shifting political landscape involving One Nation. While Joyce maintains that the talks occurred, the Liberal Party’s firm dismissal indicates a lack of appetite for a formal partnership with Hanson’s party at this stage. The situation remains a point of contention, with Liberal sources characterizing the narrative as a fabrication rather than a reflection of actual political strategy.