Barnaby Joyce denies taking leave from Parliament to avoid scrutiny over his $150k TV interview
BARNABY Joyce has revealed the real reason he is on personal leave amid claims from his controversial $150,000 interview there “were people who tried to stop the baby being born”.
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BARNABY Joyce has revealed the real reason he is on personal leave amid claims from his controversial $150,000 interview there “were people who tried to stop the baby being born”.
The former deputy Prime Minister rejected suggestions he is attempting to avoid scrutiny ahead of the pad television interview this Sunday.
That came after a preview of the interview for Channel Seven’s Sunday Night program was released. In the clip his partner Vikki Campion claimed they couple had been pressure to abort their son Sebastian.
MORE: Timeline of the Barnaby Joyce affair
MORE: Joyce claims interview was ‘Vikki’s idea’
The clip claimed that there “were people who tried to stop the baby being born” before cutting to Ms Campion speaking.
“They said if you don’t, they’re going to come after you …,” she said.
“I would do anything to protect him. Everything was worth it for this.”
Ms Campion defended her relationship with Nationals MP Joyce.
“You can’t help who you fall in love with,” she said.
The camera she switches to Mr Joyce who them repeatedly says “I failed”.
Joyce took to social media today to explain he was taking leave after having a “routine check up”.
“Contrary to reports, I’m taking leave until June 15 following a routine check up. The medical certificate provided allowed for a month,” he wrote on Twitter.
“I look forward to resuming parliamentary duties. The electorate office will continue normal operations in this fortnight.”
Mr Joyce will return in time for two sitting weeks at the end of June.
He took personal leave earlier this year when the scandal surrounding his affair with Ms Campion was revealed by The Daily Telegraph in February.
In total, he will have earned about $13,386 for 24 days unpaid leave this year, including the February stint and his current leave until June 15.
The couple will pocket $150,000 from the interview with Channel Seven set to air on Sunday night.
Mr Joyce took one week of personal leave in February and then another stint of personal leave in April when his son Sebastian was born.
Mr Joyce yesterday said the paid interview had been Ms Campion’s idea.
A spokesman for Nationals whip Michelle Landry confirmed this morning Mr Joyce was taking paid leave.
He told News Corp this was the case when any MP requested personal leave.
Ms Landry said in a statement this morning: “The Member for New England came to me yesterday and requested personal leave – effective immediately, running to the end of June.”
“Given his circumstances, and in consultation with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chief Government Whip, I approved his leave request.”
“The Labor Party has granted the Member for New England a pair for this period.
“Leave of this nature is routinely approved.
“We all look forward to the Member for New England re-joining us after his period of leave.”
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