Opinions were mixed on the street in Wagga when it was revealed that Riverina MP Michael McCormack had lost his position as Nationals leader and Deputy Prime Minister following a leadership spill.
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A spill motion in the Nationals party room on Monday led to Barnaby Joyce being voted in as leader of the party, returning to the nation's second-highest office after stepping down as Deputy PM in early 2018.
Brothers Daniel and Josh Richards have both gone up against Mr McCormack's son's in football, and said that he has "always been a local man, which is good for us in the Riverina."
"He'll still play a big part for the Riverina, and he'll still support the community as best as he can," Daniel said.
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Lawrence Hughes said that he "always voted for him" and is feeling disappointed that Mr McCormack lost his position. Peter Stead felt similarly, saying "bring back Michael."
"Earlier on through the year I had to see him and he helped me out a lot," Mr Stead said.
"Barnaby's sort of been all over the place and he's not sure what he's doing in parliament, whereas Michael, he's there on the frontlines."
Lee Rowe from Junee said that even though she thinks the position "needed a change", she would still prefer Mr McCormack over Mr Joyce.
"I think it was good with Michael coming from this area we did get a lot more things for this area, but I don't really trust Barnaby's honesty," she said.
Sandra Grentell wasn't surprised to see the leadership spill take place.
"I think Barnaby Joyce has probably wanted to get back there since he lost that position, and I think he just bided his time until he had the numbers, and now he's done it," she said.
Friends Diane Brennan, Melinda Dengate and Conny Blacklock were happy with the outcome of the spill.
"Some of the things that come out of his mouth is just ridiculous," Mrs Dengate said of Mr McCormack.
"I don't like his attitude."
Mrs Blacklock said it's a pity that the position of Deputy PM isn't with a local politician anymore, but that "I don't think we had much of a voice to begin with."
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