Joyce left in charge of Australia during Turnbull’s US visit while scandal threatens deputy PM’s career

THE Prime Minister will have to hand over the reins of the country to embattled Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce next week. But engulfed by scandal, is he the right pick?

ANALYSIS

BARNABY Joyce today skipped accountability for the turmoil he has inflicted on those closest to him, politically and personally.

He regretted how “this” and “it” had been hurtful to his family, without indicting the single chief player in the anguish — Barnaby Joyce.

At just one minute 30 seconds, Mr Joyce’s statement to reporters in Canberra was an exemplifier of the too-little, too-late genre. It was intended to offer outraged defence of himself and little more.

It is unlikely to strengthen Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s support for his deputy, or to discourage growing Liberal sentiments the Nationals should sort out the problems attracted by their leader.

Publicly Mr Turnbull has expressed full support for Mr Joyce filling in for him when the Prime Minister goes to the United States next week.

Mr Turnbull leaves on Wednesday, February 21 and returns on Saturday, February 24, and during the trip will meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss matters including national security, job creation and strengthening economic links between the two countries.

But this trip will test Mr Turnbull’s confidence.

Vikki Campion and Barnaby Joyce in less complicated times.

The political scandal currently engulfing Mr Joyce will surely be a distraction for him. So too must be the growing call for Mr Joyce to step aside, a collective voice that is becoming louder and stronger every day.

But Mr Turnbull has only one deputy, and that is Mr Joyce. He is the official fill-in when the Prime Minister is off-shore.

If Mr Turnbull were to make special arrangements to prevent Mr Joyce becoming Acting Prime Minister it would be a blatant condemnation of him, a declaration he was unworthy of the leadership of the Nationals.

Slipping the role to the Liberal Party Deputy, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, would be a re-writing of the Liberal/Nationals Coalition practices, and possibly the rupturing of the government.

Further, Barnaby Joyce is a strong leader who has been an asset for his party and more broadly for the government.

He might be a diminished asset but until his credibility is pushed right into the red on the political ledger there will be a reluctance to remove him.

Certainly there are plenty of problems regarding Mr Joyce’s messy love life.

Conservative senator Cory Bernardi today gave Sky News a blunt assessment: “I think there is a reasonable expectation in Australian politics.

“One is that the Australian people will not get screwed by their government; and two, ministers will not screw their staff.”

Barring some fresh and explosive development over the next few days Mr Joyce will be a home-based head of government next week, even though he might be testing the patience of the absent real one.

It is unlikely there will be any grand event requiring Mr Joyce to attend with or without a partner. His role most probably will be limited and low key.

Meanwhile Mr Joyce has made clear he believes the uproar around his relationship with Ms Campion and his marriage breakdown are private matters which don’t affect his capacity to get the job done.

His regret was “that this personal issue — deeply personal issue — has gone into the public arena”.

But at least for the first time in public since his private affairs became public issues, Mr Joyce mentioned by name his estranged wife Natalie and his new partner, ex-staffer Vikki Campion.

“It is without a shadow of a doubt that Vikki Campion is my partner now,” Mr Joyce said, breaking the news to no one.

A pregnant Vikki Campion pictured in Canberra. Picture John Grainger

PM Malcolm Turnbull and Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce in Question Time. Picture Kym Smith

He said how “deeply sorry I am that she has been dragged into this”.

Actually, there wouldn’t have been any “this” without her.

Mr Joyce said: “I would like to say to Natalie how deeply sorry I am for all the hurt this has caused.

“To my girls, how deeply sorry I am for all the hurt that it has caused them.”

There can be no doubting the sincerity of his regret.

But all through these comments was that suggestion the man himself was not at fault. His belief is that those who exposed him and Ms Campion — the former Nationals staffer and ex-journalist who is now carrying his child — were the guilty elements of this story.

Mr Joyce argued the nature of the affair with Ms Campion meant there was no breach of ministerial guidelines barring employment of partners. His view might conform with the black letter rules but not common sense.

He said she was not his partner when working in his office or in that of Energy Minister and fellow Nationals Senator, Matt Canavan.

She was his partner when she went to work for Nationals’ Whip, Damian Drum.

But Mr Drum wasn’t a minister, said Mr Joyce, pointing to what he considered a “vitally important” demarcation between public and personal matters.

It doesn’t sell.

This invites a silly game of definitions: when is a lover a partner and when not? It’s not a question of Mr Joyce’s private life, but his public conduct.

So, ready to run the country? Barnaby Joyce will be acting Prime Minister of Australia next week. Mick Tsikas / AAP