Truss confident of deputy PM position

Warren Truss said he is confident he will be deputy prime minister in an Abbott government. He told the Ten Network he would not need to fight Senator Barnaby Joyce for the job and described Joyce as "good friends, working colleagues."

Yes. The article reports that Barnaby Joyce has his eyes on moving to the lower house at the election, specifically targeting the federal seat of Maranoa in Queensland.

Barnaby Joyce is reportedly targeting the federal seat of Maranoa in Queensland, which is currently held by Nationals MP Bruce Scott. The seat matters because the incumbent, Bruce Scott, has been reluctant to announce his retirement but is expected to do so in the coming months, opening the pathway for Joyce.

According to Truss himself, he does not expect to have to fight Joyce for the deputy prime minister role. He emphasized their friendly working relationship and said he would not need to contest that position.

No. When asked, Truss avoided formally endorsing Joyce for Maranoa. He welcomed Joyce's capacity to contribute to the House of Representatives but said it was up to Joyce to choose the pathway to that position.

The article notes that Bruce Scott has been reluctant to publicly announce his retirement but is expected to do so in the coming months, which could create an opportunity for Barnaby Joyce to contest Maranoa.

The article frames these developments as leadership and seat-contest matters within the Nationals — things investors often watch because party leadership and representation can influence government formation and policy direction. The piece itself focuses on the personal and political dynamics between Truss and Joyce rather than economic outcomes.

The article cites comments made to the Ten Network and was published on InvestSmart. For ongoing updates, follow reputable news outlets such as the Ten Network and InvestSmart or official statements from the Nationals party.