Barnaby Joyce is an Australian politician who has served as the leader of the National Party and Deputy Prime Minister on two separate occasions. Born in Tamworth, New South Wales, in 1967, Joyce grew up in a rural farming family before pursuing studies in financial administration and working as an accountant and small business owner. He entered federal politics in 2004 as a Senator for Queensland, representing the National Party, and quickly established himself as a vocal advocate for rural and regional Australia. In 2013, he transitioned to the House of Representatives, winning the seat of New England in New South Wales.
Joyce first became Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the National Party in 2016 under Malcolm Turnbull's coalition government, but resigned from both positions in February 2018 following revelations of an extramarital affair with a staff member and related controversies. He returned to the backbench but remained active in parliament, continuing to champion agricultural interests and regional development. In June 2021, Joyce successfully challenged Michael McCormack for the National Party leadership, once again becoming Deputy Prime Minister under Scott Morrison until the coalition's defeat in the 2022 federal election.
Throughout his political career, Joyce has been a prominent advocate for agricultural policy, water rights, and regional infrastructure development. He has consistently opposed certain environmental policies that he views as detrimental to rural communities, including carbon pricing mechanisms and some renewable energy initiatives. Known for his outspoken and sometimes controversial public statements, Joyce has maintained strong support in rural constituencies while often generating significant media attention. His political positions typically emphasize support for traditional industries, skepticism of climate change policies, and advocacy for increased government investment in regional Australia.