The National Party has claimed the “major party model” is “broken” and is being “replaced” — raising speculation it is preparing to merge with Gina Rinehart’s One Nation.

Media has been barred from a “public” event featuring National Party Senate leader Bridget McKenzie hosted by far-right lobby group Advance.

Members of the secretive Exclusive Brethren sect were highly active at remote, Indigenous polling booths in the Northern Territory at the last federal election, an inquiry has heard.