Barnaby Joyce has returned as Nationals leader and Deputy Prime Minister after defeating Michael McCormack in a leadership spill.
Here are five quick questions to get you up to speed.
1. What just happened?
At a partyroom meeting this morning, Queensland Nationals senator Matt Canavan called a spill motion.
It meant the leadership of the party was declared open, and Michael McCormack and Barnaby Joyce stood as contenders.
Joyce defeated McCormack in a very close contest, according to ABC sources.
The result means Joyce will return to his former role as Nationals leader, and regain the title of deputy prime minister (and its increased pay packet).
2. Why was there a push for Joyce to come back?
Disgruntlement with McCormack in the Nationals was widespread.
"We are at our wits' end with Michael," one Nationals MP told the ABC.
McCormack's critics said he lacked cut-through and did not extract enough from the Prime Minister. McCormack had been in the spotlight as acting prime minister last week.
"The junior Coalition party has been long riven into three factions which keep McCormack in his job by default: defined, rather unkindly, as those who support the leader because it gets them a job, those who back Barnaby Joyce, and a third who just look on in horror and aren't sure what to do about it. This third group is probably also vaguely hoping that David Littleproud will one day emerge as a leader."
3. Why did Joyce leave the last time?
Joyce resigned his role as deputy prime minister and leader of the Nationals in 2018.
He was accused of sexual harassment by former WA Rural Woman of the Year Catherine Marriott.
He categorically denied the allegations, calling them "spurious and defamatory", and an investigation by the National Party was inconclusive.
It wasn't the only scandal in Joyce's rocky first tilt at the job.
There were revelations he had an affair with his former staffer Vikki Campion.
He was also disqualified from parliament over dual citizen laws, then won his seat back in a by-election.
4. What does this mean for the government?
We're still waiting on some of the specifics, but there's likely to be a complicated game of musical chairs ahead for Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
If there are more changes to the Nationals beyond Joyce replacing McCormack, a reshuffle of the frontbench will probably be on the cards.
There has also been tension in the Nationals over the Prime Minister's declaration that he would like Australia to reach net zero as soon as possible, "preferably by 2050".
Political observers believe Joyce's return to the leadership could threaten any move to lock in a formal target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Mr Joyce wouldn't be drawn on the issue of climate policy on Monday, only saying he would be guided by his party room.
5. What happens to Michael McCormack?
He'll return to the backbench for the moment.
Speaking after the leadership spill, McCormack said he'd be taking some time to consider his future.
"I"ll take some time to think about my future but it's also a humbling privilege to represent the people of the Riverina," he said.
McCormack has been pre-selected to run at the next federal election but he didn't confirm that he would still stand.
David Littleproud will remain the deputy Nationals leader.
