Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie will be a contender for the vacant leader’s position with the National Party at a meeting on Monday.
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This follows Barnaby Joyce’s resignation. Dr Gillespie, the Assistant Minister for Children and Families, indicated in Taree on Friday, February 23 that he would stand if Mr Joyce resigned.
“If he (Mr Joyce) were to step down, people would ask me if I would put my hand up and yes I would,” he said.
At a press conference in Armidale on Friday afternoon Mr Joyce said he would quit as leader and move to the back bench following allegations of sexual harrassment.
“Over the last half a month, there has been a litany of allegations,” he said.
“I don’t believe any of them have been sustained.
“But it’s quite evident that you can’t go to the Dispatch Box with issues like that surrounding you.”
Mr Joyce confirmed he will stay on as Member for New England on the backbench.
Dr Gillespie was elected to parliament in 2013, regaining the seat for the Nationals from independent Rob Oakeshott. Mr Oakeshott did not seek re-election.
On Friday Dr Gillespie could not clarify if the case currently before the High Court case, seeking to determine if he had an indirect financial interest in the Commonwealth, would impact on his chances of becoming Nationals leader of the position became available.
