Rural women say ‘astounding’ return of Barnaby Joyce proves Nationals ‘not listening’

Australian Women in Agriculture founding member says Joyce trapped in culture dominated by power plays between the boys'

• Barnaby Joyce's Nationals threaten to blow up any climate ambition

Prominent rural women have blasted the Nationals for reinstating Barnaby Joyce to the leadership, saying the return of the ousted MP shows the party is not listening" to regional women.

Joyce, who successfully toppled Michael McCormack in a leadership spill on Monday, subsequently claimed he was a better person" following three years on the backbench when he had reflected on his effect on others".