Barnaby Joyce cancels Territory trip, blaming Covid border restrictions, amid McMahon fallout
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has blamed border restrictions for cancelling a planned weekend trip to the Northern Territory, where he was expected to support Senator Sam McMahon’s bid for preselection.
Northern Territory
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FRESHLY installed Nationals leader and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has pulled the pin on a planned trip to the Northern Territory, citing the Territory’s border restrictions.
It comes amid fallout from allegations made across the media on Wednesday night that Senator Sam McMahon was offered to leave the senate after appearing to be drunk, claims which are denied by the Senator.
Colleagues told Nine Newspapers anonymously that Senator McMahon was “maggoted”.
Mr Joyce was expected to arrive in the Top End to support Senate Sam McMahon’s preselection bid over the weekend.
The NT News has been told Mr Joyce’s office cancelled the trip after receiving advice from the Territory government on border restrictions.
It comes as CLP president Jamie de Brenni revealed on Thursday morning that Senator McMahon was receiving the advice of medical professionals after reporting symptoms of dizziness for the past several days.
“Talking to the senator herself, she had said to me she had been feeling unwell for numerous days,” Mr de Brenni said.
“She was in the doctor’s surgery, waiting for a consultation when I spoke to her this morning.”
“I just hope it is all good.”
Senator McMahon has flatly denied allegations published in the media that she was “maggoted” during a late-night sitting of the Senate on Tuesday.
A spokesman for Senator McMahon told the NT News she was “feeling ill”.
“A number of off the record allegations with no names attached is the height of cowardice,” the spokesman said.
“This is part of a political machine manufacturing any reason to dislodge Senator McMahon before preselection – even fictional ones.”
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