(Bloomberg) -- Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has survived a challenge to his leadership of the government’s junior coalition partner the National Party.
McCormack, who has been in the role for two years, defeated challenger Barnaby Joyce by winning support of lawmakers from the rural and regional-based Nationals in a ballot.
McCormack, 55, is a former journalist and businessman who led the Nationals during their election campaign last year when they held all their seats.
Controversial firebrand Joyce, 52, was seeking to return to the role after he was forced to resign in February 2018 after it was revealed he had an extramarital affair with his former media adviser.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will need to appoint a new resources minister after Matt Canavan resigned from the role Monday as he declared his support for Joyce.
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