Barnaby Joyce has confirmed Pauline Hanson has made him an offer he couldn't refuse.
The Nationals MP said he will make the switch to One Nation while appearing on 88.9FM Tamworth Radio alongside Hanson today.
"I am aware that there will be some hurt in this decision, and I understand that," Joyce said.
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"Pauline made an offer for me to come to One Nation and I have taken that up."
Joye described his decision, which hung in the balance for weeks while Hanson publicly courted him, as "considered and serious".
He said the shift was premised on several policy alignments he discovered he has with One Nation.
"Australia has handed away rights we should have kept and taken up obligations we should have left, at a price we cannot pay," Joyce said.
"Rather, we should have as our goal to make Australia as strong as possible as quickly as possible."
Reflecting on his relationship with the Nationals, Joyce said it had become "incongruous with me giving my best".
"In the last two months, no one has said to me that this breakdown in the relationship was not the case," he added.
"I had therefore decided to either resign from parliament or, if choosing to continue, find a more conducive way to achieve the best outcome in pursuing the task that is required to be done.
"I am firmly of the view which I have considered over a long period of time that the best choice before me is to stand for One Nation as a Senator for NSW. I will let the voters be the ultimate arbiter of that decision."
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Hanson said she was feeling "emotional" and "proud" about Joyce's decision.
"I saw in Barnaby a person like myself who wanted to speak up," Hanson said.
"I think with Barnaby on board with One Nation, we will push forward."
Nationals leader David Littleproud said he was disappointed to learn about Joyce decamping to One Nation.
He accused Joyce of "breaking the contract" he made with the New England electorate.
It is understood Joyce will remain the New England MP until the end of this term before an expected Senate tilt with One Nation.
"It is disappointing for the people of New England and disappointing for the loyal National Party members who worked day and night volunteering to support him," Littleproud said in a statement.
"The Nationals supported Barnaby through many difficult times, including during his darkest moments.
"Barnaby has chosen to turn his back on The Nationals and on his electorate and instead join a party of protest, which is never able to achieve anything other than headlines."
Littleproud went on to say there was no bad blood between himself and Joyce, but claimed the New England MP had aspirations of party leadership.
"I have never had a personal issue or problem with Barnaby Joyce," he added.
"This issue is about Barnaby wanting to be the leader of a party."
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