Australia’s former deputy PM Barnaby Joyce wins by-election in much-needed boost for Turnbull’s coalition
He was forecast to life his primary vote in the New England seat in New South Wales by at least 10 points
Australia’s former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce cleared the way for his return to parliament on Saturday, winning a by-election just over a month after he was kicked out over a dual citizenship crisis that cost the government its majority.
Joyce was not only returned in his New England seat in New South Wales but was forecast to have lifted his primary vote by at least 10 points, giving Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull a welcome boost after a tough few weeks.
“This has been a stunning victory,” Turnbull told supporters as he joined Joyce at a pub in the town of Tamworth.
Exit polls were predicting “the largest swing to the government in the history of by-elections in Australia”, Turnbull said, adding it was a vindication of his coalition. “We’re getting the band back together.”
Joyce was one of the “Citizenship Seven” whose eligibility to sit in parliament was thrown into doubt when it was found they were dual citizens, a status that is barred for politicians under Australia’s constitution to prevent split allegiances.
