Barnaby Joyce to step down

Barnaby Joyce says he will resign as the leader of the Nationals and deputy prime minister of Australia to sit on the government's backbench.

Barnaby Joyce during a press conference in Armidale, New South Wales where he resigned as Nationals leader. Source: AAP

Mr Joyce announced his exit from the Turnbull cabinet at a press conference in Armidale -after two Nationals colleagues expressed doubts over the viability of his leadership.