Barnaby Joyce’s dad, James Joyce, dies aged 98

Former deputy PM Barnaby Joyce raced home from Canberra on Monday night after receiving devastating news.

Barnaby Joyce is mourning the loss of his beloved 98-year-old dad James Joyce who passed away last night.

The former deputy prime minister raced home from Canberra to the family farm in his NSW electorate of New England on Monday night after hearing his dad had taken a turn for the worse.

The father of Barnaby and beloved grandfather to Mr Joyce’s six children including his four adult daughters and two young sons Sebastian and Thomas with his fiancee Vikki Campion, was a former vet.

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Barnaby Joyce pictured with his two young sons, fiancee Vikki Campion, and late father. Picture: Supplied

The late Mr Joyce was a World War II veteran and a livestock veterinarian who was instrumental in early vaccination.

“Barnaby Joyce is mourning the loss of his father Jim Joyce, aged 98, who sadly passed away last night,” a spokesman said.

“He appreciates the many kind wishes and thoughts being extended at his difficult time.”

Mr Joyce lived on the same property as his dad Jim, who lived in the main house, while he, Vikki and their two sons live in a farm cottage nearby.

Barnaby Joyce and his late father. Picture: Supplied

After losing the leadership following the election, Mr Joyce had enjoyed spending extra time on the farm with his dad.

He made it home to the family farm after leaving Canberra on Monday afternoon. His dad passed away at 11.30pm on Tuesday night.

As a result of his father’s death, Mr Joyce will not return to parliament this week.

Ms Campion, Sebastian and Thomas are also returning home after driving to Canberra on Sunday night.

Former Nationals leader Michael McCormack, urged online trolls to “lay off” over his absence from Parliament.

”For all those tweeting nasty things about why Barnaby Joyce was not present in Parliament for the opening day today, lay off,’’ he tweeted on Tuesday night.

”His elderly father Jim is seriously ill and Barnaby is where he should be – at his bedside. Thoughts go out to the family at this difficult time.”

Barnaby Joyce’s mother Marie Joyce and father James Joyce, with his son Sebastian. Picture: Supplied

The late Mr Joyce’s New Zealand’s birth sparked a political storm for Barnaby in 2018 when it emerged he unwittingly held dual citizenship.

The then deputy prime minister revealed at the time that he was contacted by the New Zealand High Commission and advised he “could be a citizen of New Zealand by descent”.

The High Court then ruled that Mr Joyce and four senators were ineligible to sit in parliament, sparking a by-election in his electorate.

Speaking after the decision, Mr Joyce, who was born in Australia but held New Zealand citizenship by descent from his father, said he had “no reason to believe that I was a citizen of any other country than Australia”.

He said he would not “cry into his beer” but rather prepare for the by-election in New England, which he subsequently won.