August release for ‘warts and all’ Barnaby Joyce book

Vikki Campion, Barnaby Joyce and their son Sebastian. Pic: Channel 7

Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce’s tell-all book will be out in as little as six weeks’ time. The saga continues.

Barnaby Joyce's \book cover.

This morning the New England backbencher, who is on personal leave, disclosed on the register of interests his publishing deal with New Holland Publishing for his political and personal tome Weatherboard and Iron.

A New Holland spokesman confirmed to Margin Call the book will hit the market in August and would be a complete tell-all of Joyce’s controversial and high-profile political and personal life.

“The book will be a ‘warts and all’ account of his personal story and commitment to people in the bush, as well as his public stoush with actor Johnny Depp, his citizenship crisis, his resignation as the leader of the National Party (and as deputy prime minister), the inside story of the media frenzy concerning his personal life and the joy of welcoming baby Sebastian,” the publisher said.

And presumably a few words on his favourite rural building materials and the voters who live within them.

“I think this book gives Barnaby the chance to answer what is important to him as a politician, man, father and partner,” Joyce’s publisher Alan Whiticker said.

“What comes through is his love of ‘the bush’, his passion for his job and yes, his concern for those closest to him. I believe his story will surprise those people who think they ‘know’ what he stands for. He’s a very good writer with a larrikin sense of humour.”

There’s not a peep of disclosure, however, on Joyce’s presumably much larger deal with billionaire Kerry Stokes’ listed Seven Network for his reportedly $150,000 interview with reporter Alex Cullen on the broadcaster’s flagship current affairs program Sunday Night, which aired on June 3.

Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion during their interview with Seven’s Sunday Night program. Pic: Channel 7

His disclosure on his publishing deal was dated June 5 but was processed by the powers that be in Parliament House only yesterday.

Perhaps they are struggling with paperwork in Joyce’s heavily downsized office.

Joyce’s television interview with new partner Vikki Campion was recorded in the week before the show aired, giving the now father of five even more time to get pen to paper to properly disclose the lucrative, if embarrassing, deal.

While Joyce might argue the unprecedented contract to talk with a sitting politician was technically with Campion, he has already disclosed her interests on his register.

And if the deal was done with their new baby, there is room for that on the form too.

Disclosure, in the lower house at least, remains a family affair.