Miranda Live: ‘Joyce know he’s done wrong’

ONLY time will tell if embattled Nationals Leader Barnaby Joyce can regain the respect he’s lost as a result of the most recent allegations, Senator John “Wacka” Williams has told Miranda Devine on Miranda Live.

Barnaby Joyce will stick it out — including taking over as acting PM, a senior colleague says.

ONLY time will tell if embattled Nationals Leader Barnaby Joyce can regain the respect he’s lost as a result of the most recent allegations, Senator John “Wacka” Williams has told Miranda Devine on Miranda Live.

Mr Williams said he had sat down with Mr Joyce following the revelations of his infidelity to ensure he was OK. But he told Devine he expected the Nationals leader to keep his position — and soldier on as acting PM next week.

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“I said you’ve got a life ahead of you, you’re going to cop some flak, you’re going to shed some bark and people are going to make comments to you — but you’ve got a job and that’s to lead regional Australia,” he told Devine.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce.

“He knows he’s done wrong ... but believe it or not Barnaby is a person.

“My judgment is that he’s right for next week, but it wouldn’t surprise me if after a day or two that he says “I just need a break for a couple days”.

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Mr Joyce faced a hostile Question Time today, with calls from Labor for him to resign, over the scandal surrounding his affair with a former staffer.
Former media adviser Vikki Campion is now pregnant with Mr Joyce’s child.

Since separating from his wife last year, Mr Joyce and his lover has been staying at a three-bedroom Armidale property owned by wealthy businessmanm Greg Maguire, who waived the rent for six months, saving Mr Joyce about $14,000.

Nationals Senator John Williams.

Yesterday, new Liberal Senator Lucy Gichuhi stopped by Miranda Live to talk faith, values and why she switched from Family First to the Liberal party. The Kenyan-born senator also weighed into the unfolding Barnaby Joyce saga, saying she’s pray for the New England Nationals MP but warned “don’t kick a dog when it’s down”.

• Miranda Live: ‘Don’t kick a dog when it’s down’, Senator on Barnaby Joyce

• Miranda Live: It’s not for me to defend Barnaby says ScoMo

• Miranda Live: US ambassador to Australia to maintain ‘hard line on China’

If you miss any part of the program, tune back in here for the full podcast. Plus, you can follow the conversation via Twitter using the #mirandalive hashtag.