Via Domainfax:
Senior Nationals MPs are increasingly nervous the High Court will rule against Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and order him to fight a byelection when it finally rules on the status of the so-called “citizenship seven” on Friday.
And two weeks after those hearings, the court will rule on Friday at 2.15pm on Mr Joyce’s fate, and that of six senators: Nationals deputy leader Fiona Nash, former Nationals cabinet minister Matt Canavan, former Greens senators Larissa Waters and Scott Ludlam, One Nation’s Malcolm Roberts and NXT leader Nick Xenophon.
…As the only lower house MP, and with the Turnbull government holding just 76 seats in the 150-member lower house, it is Mr Joyce’s case the government is most concerned about, although independent MP Cathy McGowan said on Tuesday that she would continue to support the government, which gives the Coalition some breathing room.
…”That fact that it has taken so long for the court to make its ruling doesn’t bode well,” one MP, who asked not to be named, said, “and all sorts of theories are sweeping the place.”
“Let’s get through to Friday and see what happens,” said another MP. “The fact it has taken two weeks is a worry. Confidence has been eaten away as the days have gone by.”
