Spare a thought for Vikki Campion

SHE probably knew her pregnancy would never pass without comment, but it’s awful to think about the intense stress Barnaby Joyce’s partner must be under, writes Victoria Hannaford.

ANY woman who has experienced the wonders of catcalling understands that women’s bodies are considered public property.

It’s a cultural phenomenon that becomes acute when you’re pregnant.

Just ask Vikki Campion.

There’s no doubt that the story of Barnaby Joyce’s affair with his former staffer Campion needed to be told. His conduct goes to the heart of the politician’s character, and the hypocrisy of his campaigning on his Catholic “family values”. There are also more pertinent questions about ethical conduct, including his choice to accept rent-free accommodation from wealthy businessman Greg Maguire.

But while rumours of Joyce’s affair with Campion swirled around the Canberra Press Gallery, there was something they lacked for publication: proof.

And in this case a photograph of Campion’s visibly pregnant body, published in the Daily Telegraph, provided the final confirmation.

It’s hard to imagine a more awkward predicament for a woman.

Trying to prepare for the birth of your first child, and knowing that with each passing month there was a possibility that your pregnant body was going to betray you and become the proof that would set off a media firestorm.

It was inevitable, but that can’t make it any easier on her.

Her affair with Barnaby Joyce was confirmed when a pregnant Vikki Campion was pictured in Canberra. (Pic: John Grainger)

I know Campion a little from working with her at the Daily Telegraph, and I would describe her as similar to many who have worked as journalists: tenacious and resilient.

However, even as a former journalist, she would not be used to being the story. Although modern media means most journalists have weathered a shit storm at some point in their career, I doubt even the most weighty Twitter pile on would compare to the spotlight she’s currently under.

The pressure would only be exacerbated by the emotional rollercoaster of pregnancy hormones that most women experience, and that’s a sympathetic point of view few are willing to consider.

She might have been naive if she thought her first pregnancy was going to be a time of peace and joy under the circumstances, but it’s still awful to think about the intense stress she must be feeling at a time when stress is the very thing she should be avoiding.

But it seems that many members of the public are satisfied to see Vikki Campion offered up as a silent player in this saga — a scarlet woman on to which they can project any manner of judgments, and have done so on social media and in comments under news stories.

Barnaby Joyce finally stumped up a sincere apology to all the women in his life. (Pic: News Corp)

All they needed was a pregnant body — the most publicly commented upon of all female forms — and the pitchforks came out.

It’s a morality tale that has gripped public conversation.

However, there is only one person who has to answer for moral conduct, and that’s Joyce. He was married and has publicly campaigned on moral grounds, nobody else.

The question of Campion’s morality is irrelevant to the public interest, despite high profile attempts, like that of Kate Langbroek, to call her to account.

It’s something that’s taken Joyce a while to come to grips with, and he’s now apologised to all the women in his life, including Campion.

He has perhaps finally twigged that as she’s heavily pregnant, likely hormonal and under incredible stress for someone not used to public life, she might need someone to publicly back her, saying today: “This has been a searing personal experience for Natalie, our daughters and for Vikki — criticise me if you wish but please have some regard for them.”

And in the case of Campion, you might not be able to lend her your sympathy, but the least you can do is spare her your judgment.

Victoria Hannaford is a RendezView writer and producer.

@vhannaford