MEMBER for Lyne Dr David Gillespie voted for Barnaby Joyce in the National Party leadership spill this week.
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This is according to the Australian Financial Review.
Mr Joyce was successful in the vote when defeating Michael McCormack. He resigned as Nationals leader and deputy prime minister in February 2018 after revelations of an affair with his former staffer and a separate allegation of sexual harassment.
"Barnaby has been a very strong and strident advocate of Regional Australia for many years," Dr Gillespie said.
"With two thirds of the population living in metropolitan areas, it's incredibly important that we have a strong leader who can champion the many issues and challenges facing regional Australia in the centre of government.
"Our nation has a significant infrastructure task ahead of it over the next decade, especially in regional Australia, and I have every confidence Barnaby will ensure the commonwealth government delivers the investment required to meet this challenge.
"I would like to thank Michael McCormack for his service the Nationals and wish he and Catherine the very best for the future.''
Dissatisfaction with Mr McCormack's performance, coupled with angst over Prime Minister's Scott Morrison's ambition to achieve net zero emission "preferably" by 2050, were seen as key factors behind the junior coalition partner electing to switch leaders, according to the Canberra Times
Mr Joyce said he would be guided by the party room when deciding whether to push back against the Liberals' net zero plans.
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