One Nation’s Barnaby Joyce Avoids Guaranteeing Costing of Party Policies Before Upcoming Election
Date: July 12, 2026
By: Dan Jervis-Bardy
In a recent Sky News interview, Barnaby Joyce, the treasury spokesperson for One Nation, faced scrutiny over the party’s commitment to provide detailed costings for its policies ahead of the next election. This comes after the Coalition criticized One Nation’s platform as potentially detrimental to the national budget, projecting that it could exceed $1 trillion in costs over the next decade, potentially causing increased interest rates and even threatening a sovereign debt crisis.
Joyce responded to queries from Sky News host Andrew Clennell regarding whether One Nation would present its policy proposals to the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) for independent cost assessments. He stated, “We will do it to the best of our ability,” but refrained from providing an unequivocal guarantee.
When pressed further, Joyce elaborated, “I’m not going to give a sort of guarantee like that, Andrew, because that means I have the resources to do it. If I get the promise that we’re going to have the resources to do it, it certainly makes it a lot easier.”
Critics point out that the lack of an assurance from Joyce raises concerns about the party’s readiness to manage public finances responsibly. Importantly, the PBO offers its services to all members of parliament, including independents, ensuring that staffing limitations should not impede policy analysis.
During the interview, Joyce was also asked if One Nation would allocate funding for additional staffing to facilitate the costing of policies. He responded affirmatively: “We’ll have to.”
The discussion comes amid increasing scrutiny of One Nation’s fiscal responsibility as it outlines its agenda in advance of the election. The Coalition has suggested that failing to provide costings could lead to greater financial instability, especially during a time when economic fluctuations are keenly felt by the populace.
This issue touches on broader themes in Australian politics, where economic stewardship is critical to public perception and electoral success. As Joyce and One Nation navigate these concerns, their approach to budgeting and financial transparency will likely play a decisive role in shaping voter sentiment ahead of the elections.
Conclusion
The dialogue surrounding policy costing reveals a significant aspect of political strategy and public trust. As the election approaches, how One Nation addresses these fiscal concerns will be crucial in determining its standing among Australian voters. The implications of Joyce’s statements could reverberate throughout the political landscape, warranting close attention from analysts and constituents alike.
