FORMER federal politician Tony Windsor is still yet to make a decision on his potential political return, but said Barnaby Joyce’s rise to deputy prime minister would not make “an iota of difference” in his choice.
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There has been ongoing speculation Mr Windsor could challenge Mr Joyce for the seat of New England at this year’s election.
Mr Windsor told The Leader he would make a decision on his future “in the next couple of weeks”.
“I’m going to take a holiday with my wife in Tasmania and I’ll spend some time thinking about it while I’m away,” Mr Windsor said.
“I’ll make a decision fairly soon, but whether I announce it or not is another matter.”
Mr Windsor congratulated Mr Joyce on becoming the deputy prime minister and wished him all the best.
“Becoming the leader of a party is no small thing,” he said.
However, Mr Windsor said there were a few issues Mr Joyce needed to address, such as the Shenhua mine and the Gonski funding.
“If he doesn’t, he might have some competition,” he said.
“In the position he’s in, he has no excuses for inaction. As deputy prime minister, if something doesn’t happen, the buck-passing stops with him.
“The pressure is right on him to start standing up for these issues.”