Barnaby Joyce’s Cabinet role safe despite bad night out, reveals adverse reaction to alcohol because of medication
Barnaby Joyce has appeared on morning TV to explain his big night out in Canberra, saying he had an adverse reaction to alcohol because of prescription medication | WATCH
Barnaby Joyce is expected to retain his position in shadow cabinet despite the publication of a damaging video showing the Nationals MP lying on the street in Canberra yelling obscenities into his phone.
The opposition veterans affairs spokesman had been drinking on the night of the incident, telling colleagues he had an adverse reaction to alcohol because of medication he had been taking.
Nationals sources told The Australian they did not think he would face a sanction for the incident, with some saying they hoped he received help, while others declared it was a “storm in a teacup”.
The video, published on Friday, showed Mr Joyce lying on the ground in the inner suburb of Braddon.
He says he was sitting on a planter making a phone call when he fell.
“I made a big mistake. There’s no excuse for it,” Mr Joyce said on Seven’s Sunrise on Monday morning. “There is a reason. And it was a very eventful walk home, wasn’t it. I should’ve followed...I’m on a prescription drug, and they say certain things may happen to you if you drink, and they were absolutely 100% right.”
The Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce appeared on Sunrise this morning to speak about his headline-making incident.
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) February 11, 2024
To watch the full interview, head to https://t.co/Owvrfl6YWd or stream on @7plus â˜€ï¸ pic.twitter.com/CSzgOiDKSp
Mr Joyce refused to comment on speculation over his political future.“That’s not my decision, really, is it?” Mr Joyce told Sunrise when asked if the incident could put his place on the opposition frontbench at risk. “I’m not going to enter into a long dialogue about what other people may want to do.”
Nationals leader David Littleproud contacted Mr Joyce over the weekend but it is understood the call was focused on the former deputy prime minister’s welfare rather than his position in the Coalition’s leadership team.
Nationals MPs said they would not be surprised if the issue was ignored in the partyroom meeting tomorrow morning, which Mr Joyce will likely miss due to a medical appointment.
Mr Littleproud and Mr Joyce have an acrimonious relationship, with the New England MP part of a rump of Nationals who are dissatisfied with their leader.
But Nationals MPs believe Mr Littleproud will avoid the temptation to sanction Mr Joyce over the incident, as dumping his predecessor to the backbench could destabilise his leadership. Nationals MPs are also concerned that a removed Mr Joyce would be replaced by a Liberal, as the smaller Coalition party is overrepresented in shadow cabinet.
Peter Dutton would not commit to the future of Mr Joyce, saying he would talk to the veteran affairs spokesman this week.
The Opposition Leader said it was rough for people to be filming Mr Joyce rather than helping him.
“It’s pretty rough when people are walking past someone who might be in need of a bit of support. I understand a chalk mark has been drawn on the footpath, which could only happen in Canberra where all those Greens and Labor staffers are,” he said.
“I’ll have a chat with Barnaby this week, and David Littleproud has spoken with Barnaby and is going to speak with him as well this week, and that’s where the situation is at the moment.”
Anthony Albanese said Mr Joyce owed voters an explanation with “some credibility”.
“They’ll look for leadership from the leader of the Liberal Party and the leader of the National Party about this,” the Prime Minister said.
“I think people will also think to themselves, what would the response be if that was a minister in my government being seen to be behaving in that way?”
Nationals sources told The Australian Mr Joyce had been missing his wife Vikki Campion and sons, who were not in Canberra with him last week.
Nationals MP Keith Pitt said there should be no punishment for Mr Joyce over the incident.
“Let all those without sin throw the first stones,” Mr Pitt said.
“He was embarrassed, fell over, I don’t think there is much more to it than that.”
Nationals frontbencher Susan McDonald said the incident was “not a topic worthy” of attention.
“Australians are facing cost of living increases. We have got a government that is driving down investment opportunity,” Senator McDonald said.
“I think Australians would have an expectation we are there fighting for that.”
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