Barnaby Joyce has distanced himself from the Nationals but maintains that he is still affiliated with the regional party, even as his political future hangs in the balance.

The former Deputy Prime Minister opted out of attending a party room meeting today. He is contemplating leaving the Nationals due to its net-zero emissions policy and is considering an offer from Pauline Hanson to join her right-wing party, One Nation.

“I won’t be part of any party room that endorses net zero,” Joyce stated to reporters in Canberra.

Despite his absence from the meeting, Joyce confirmed he would continue to align with the regional party when parliament reconvenes today.

While Joyce remains tight-lipped about potential moves in his political career, he has explicitly ruled out the possibility of running as an independent.

He also confirmed he was still a member of the Nationals for now, and suggested he may remain with the party if it dumps its net-zero target.

“I’ll see what they come up with,” he said. 

The Nationals are reviewing their position on net zero by 2050, which Joyce has so adamantly opposed that he declared earlier this month his relationship with party leadership had “irreparably broken down” and he would not recontest his seat of New England at the next election.

Joyce’s own bill opposing net zero will be going before parliament today.

Nationals leader David Littleproud told Sky News the party would not decide its stance on net zero today, adding that it must come up with an alternative climate plan if it is to drop the target.

“I get that takes time, but I’d rather do it right and be able to look the Australian people in the eye. And we encourage Barnaby to be part of that solution,” he said.

He said that while he wants Joyce to remain in the party, but would not offer up a seat on the frontbench to entice him back.

Instead, he said the party has to “create an environment” where Joyce feels “welcome and wants to come back and contribute”. 

“I’ve made it very clear to him that he’s welcome back at any time, and he can make a constructive contribution with the rest of the party room,” he said.

“He needs only to walk in and talk to the room.”

Joyce confirmed he had spoken to Littleproud.

“I’ve had a brief and courteous conversation with him. It went for about three minutes,” he said.

At the same time, Joyce said he would also be meeting with Hanson, who invited him to join her party upon news of his relationship breakdown with the Nationals.

“I’ll meet with Pauline Hanson. I’ve met with Pauline Hanson before. I mean, this is a free country. You’re allowed to actually meet other people. I talk to people from the Greens,” he said.

If Joyce defects to One Nation, he could take other dissatisfied colleagues with him, giving Hanson a major win and deepening the rift within the Coalition.