Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has comfortably retained his seat of New England in the 2025 Australian federal election, defeating six challengers and reaffirming his stronghold over the rural electorate.
With all votes yet to be counted, Joyce secured a commanding lead with over 50% of the first preference vote ensuring an easy path to victory despite a slight swing against him. His nearest competitor, Labor’s Laura Hughes, finished a distant second.
New England, a sprawling regional electorate covering key towns such as Tamworth, Armidale, and Glen Innes, has been held by Joyce since 2004 (except for a brief resignation period in 2017). His re-election underscores the Nationals’ continued dominance in rural Australia, even as Labor made major gains in metropolitan and coastal seats nationwide.
Nationally, Labor celebrated a historic second-term victory under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, while Liberal leader Peter Dutton lost his Queensland seat of Dickson in a stunning upset.
Joyce, in his victory speech, thanked New England voters for their enduring trust: “It’s a privilege to represent this great region. I will continue fighting for the people of the bush.”
