PM bans all ‘workplace relations’ as embattled Barnaby asks for time off to get his affairs in order

BARNABY Joyce asked for time off to support his isolated, pregnant girlfriend and his struggling four daughters, as the Prime Minister announced a ban on his ministers having sex with their staff.

MALCOLM Turnbull has sensationally banned his ministers from having sex with their staff, as he lashed Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and called on the Nationals leader to “consider his own position”.

Admitting there were “very serious issues” with the culture of Canberra, the Prime Minister announced even ministers who are single would be sacked for sleeping with their staff, under a new code of conduct.

In making the announcement Mr Turnbull slammed his deputy’s “shocking error of judgment” in leaving his wife and four daughters and having an affair with Vikki Campion, a 32-year-old woman working in his office.

“In doing so, he has set off a world of woe for those women and appalled all of us.”

The Courier-Mail understands Mr Joyce, 50, yesterday asked for time off to support his isolated, pregnant girlfriend and his struggling four daughters.

It will mean Mr Joyce will not fill in as acting Prime Minister next week.

In making the announcement Mr Turnbull slammed his deputy’s “shocking error of judgment”. Picture: Kym Smith

It is understood Ms Campion, who is estranged from her family, feels trapped at home because of the intense media attention.

Also, Mr Joyce’s daughters, who live in different parts of the country, are struggling with the online frenzy directed at them.

Under increasing pressure from the scandal, Mr Turnbull announced a crackdown.

“I have today added to the standards a very clear and ­unequivocal provision, ministers, regardless of whether they are married or single, must not engage in sexual relations with their staff,” Mr Turnbull said.

“Doing so will constitute a breach of the standards.

“While this new standard is very specific, ministers should be acutely aware of the context in which I am making this change and the need for them always to behave in their personal relations with others and especially their staff, the staff of other ministers or members of the Australian public service, with integrity and respect.” Mr Turnbull said the current ministerial standards were deficient and ministers needed to be held to the highest standards.

A pregnant Vikki Campion pictured in Canberra. Picture: John Grainger

“I have no interest in prying into people’s personal or private affairs, at all. I am not here to moralise,” he said.

“But we must recognise that whatever may have been acceptable or to which a blind eye was turned in the past, today, in 2018, it is not acceptable for a minister to have a sexual relationship with somebody who works for them.

“It is a very bad workplace practice. And everybody knows that no good comes of it.”

He said the current standards did not speak strongly enough towards respect in the workplace.

“There was a different culture here that had gone on for a long time and I think many women who work in this building understand very powerfully what I am saying,” Mr Turnbull said.

It sets the scene for an overhaul of the ministerial code of conduct.

A source told The Courier-Mail Mr Joyce was at his “wits’ end” as Labor attempted to accuse him of using rich mates to help his personal ­situation.

Cabinet Minister Peter Dutton said Mr Joyce had been “morally” wrong to have an affair, but had not broken the law.

Queensland LNP Senator and National Party powerbroker Barry O’Sullivan threw his support behind Mr Joyce, declaring the party would not turn against him. “Barnaby Joyce has done a phenomenal job,” he said. “He remains the leader of our party with absolute confidence. He will be there for as long as he chooses to be. You will not see our party move on it. We will stand with this man. He is a fine, fine leader of our party.”

The PM said he was given “unequivocal assurances” Mr Joyce maintained ministerial standards. In Parliament, he said if Labor wished to assert he has breached ministerial standards, then they should “say so and identify the clause”.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten asked whether Mr Joyce’s taking leave next week was a “stunning vote of no confidence in the Deputy Prime Minister to be the acting prime minister”.

Mr Turnbull said deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop would be overseas next week, meaning that Senate Leader Mathias Cormann would serve as acting prime minister