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Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson has urged former Nationals deputy leader Barnaby Joyce to reconsider his decision to leave the Coalition for One Nation, describing him as a “warrior for the people” whose voice remains valuable to the party room even as she declined to speculate on whether other members might follow his departure.
Speaking on Sky News Newsday on Monday, Henderson addressed Joyce’s announced defection while Opposition Leader Sussan Ley was delivering a major economic policy speech in Sydney. The senator’s comments came as the Coalition grapples with internal divisions that have plagued the party since its historic electoral defeat in May 2025.
Henderson expressed sadness at news of Joyce’s departure, praising him as much-loved and hoping “a sliver of hope” remained that he might reconsider staying in the Coalition. She emphasized Joyce’s effectiveness regardless of his position, noting that people listen to him and he has performed an exceptional job over many years.
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When pressed on whether other Coalition members might follow Joyce to One Nation, Henderson declined to speculate, instead emphasizing the need to focus on fighting for the Australian people rather than internal party matters. She acknowledged the coalition faces a substantial task rebuilding faith and trust with voters.
The senator noted the Liberal Party suffered its worst electoral loss in 81 years, describing the challenge of regaining public confidence as an “enormous” undertaking. Her comments reflected awareness that internal divisions distract from the Coalition’s ability to present a unified alternative government.
Henderson used the interview to reinforce Coalition messaging on economic management, arguing the Albanese government has allowed the economy to run “off the rails.” She highlighted declining productivity and declining living standards as key concerns under Labor.
The senator’s remarks came as Ley was articulating the Coalition’s core economic message: lower taxes and fiscal discipline. Henderson echoed these themes, describing the Coalition as “the party of lower taxes” while criticizing Labor’s economic stewardship.
However, much of the interview focused on community safety issues in Henderson’s home state of Victoria, where weekend clashes between protesters and police sparked political controversy. Henderson expressed horror that Victorian Labor Premier Jacinta Allen continued claiming Melbourne streets are safe, flatly declaring: “They are not safe”.
The Liberal senator delivered a sharp critique of the state government’s response to public safety concerns. She condemned the government for refusing to implement urgent protest control laws, rejecting Jack’s Law designed to combat knife crime, and failing to adopt the opposition’s “break bail, go to jail” policy.
Police Commander Cheeseman made clear the weekend protesters were left-wing activists hurling bottles and bricks at police, resulting in injuries to officers, Henderson stated. She characterized the violence as unacceptable and symptomatic of broader leadership failures.
The senator advocated for a protest registration system proposed by Victorian opposition leader Brad Battin. Henderson called for no more protests in Melbourne’s central business district, arguing they should be considered case-by-case with particular scrutiny when evidence suggests violence or community safety risks.
She linked public safety concerns to broader community anxiety about crime, noting conversations with Victorians revealed deep worries about safety in Melbourne. Henderson argued businesses are suffering due to CBD disruptions and that community safety must be taken seriously.
The interview highlighted tensions between state and federal political dynamics, with Henderson using Victoria’s challenges to reinforce federal Coalition messaging about Labor governance failures. She suggested public safety would emerge as a central issue in the approaching Victorian state election.
Henderson’s comments on Joyce’s departure were notably restrained compared to her passionate denunciation of Victorian government policies. The contrast suggested careful navigation of coalition sensitivities while maintaining aggressive criticism of Labor at both state and federal levels.
The senator’s appearance came at a delicate moment for the Coalition, attempting to maintain message discipline on economic policy while managing internal turbulence and prosecuting attacks on government performance across multiple fronts.
Joyce’s move to One Nation represents a significant blow to coalition unity, particularly given his previous role as Nationals deputy leader and his high public profile. His departure raises questions about whether other rural and regional MPs might consider similar moves, though Henderson’s refusal to speculate indicated sensitivity about publicly acknowledging such possibilities.
The Barnaby Joyce situation emerged as a major distraction from Ley’s attempt to refocus attention on substantive policy differences with Labor. Henderson’s interview demonstrated the challenge of maintaining disciplined messaging while responding to immediate political crises.
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