Nationals colleagues make last-ditch appeals as Barnaby Joyce expected to announce defection to One Nation

Former leader Michael McCormack says he spent an hour with Joyce on Wednesday and gave him his pitch to remain in the foldFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastBarnaby Joyce should “reflect on what the National party gave him”, colleague Michael McCormack says, as speculation increases that the maverick New England MP will quit the party on Thursday afternoon to switch to One Nation.Sources in the Nationals and One Nation expect an announcement from Joyce, the former deputy prime minister, after weeks of speculation he was planning to make the move. It has been speculated Joyce could make his announcement before question time in parliament, during a section for short constituency statements. Continue reading…