Australian Prime Minister (PM) Malcolm Turnbull announced in Parliament today that Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce will be taking leave and will not fill his post as acting PM next week.
Deputy Liberal leader and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, who would have been next in line to be acting PM, will also be overseas next week.
The Deputy PM was set to stand as acting PM during Turnbull’s absence next week — as per the usual convention. But he is now facing immense pressure in relation to news of his affair with former staff member Vikki Campion, who is currently pregnant with their baby.
Joyce’s appointment as acting PM has been a subject of concern in Parliament after questions surrounding whether Joyce had followed the code of ministerial conduct were raised in regards to Campion’s employment.
Australia’s opposition Labor Party questioned the PM on whether the decision for Joyce to “take a break” meant that Joyce was unable to do his job, reported ABC.
Joyce’s Scandal
Joyce found himself in hot water after news of his affair with Campion came to light earlier this month.
Joyce has vehemently denied that he breached any ministerial code of conduct regarding Campion’s employment.
“I am very aware of the ministerial code of conduct. It is without a shadow of a doubt that Vikki Campion is my partner now. But when she worked in my office, she was not my partner. When she worked in Matt Canavan’s office, she was not my partner. And Damian Drum was not a minister,” he said during his statement.
