Joyce joins call for review on Bishop and Pyne

New LNP senator Gerard Rennick has added to the call by Barnaby Joyce for a review of new jobs for Christopher Pyne and Julie Bishop.

Former foreign minister Julie Bishop.

New Queensland LNP senator Gerard Rennick told colleagues at a joint partyroom meeting he felt “uncomfortable” with the post-political career choices of Christopher Pyne and Julie Bishop amid a debate over whether they had breached ministerial standards.

Senator Rennick’s comments came as former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce declared the former cabinet ministers’ new roles with global consulting firms did not “stack up”. The Senate on Monday voted to establish an inquiry into whether Mr Pyne and Ms Bishop’s roles represented a breach of ministerial standards, despite Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Martin Parkinson clearing them.

Multiple sources said Senator Rennick told yesterday’s meeting Mr Pyne and Ms Bishop were on substantial taxpayer-funded pension schemes. Both are entitled to annual payments of more than $200,000.

The Australian has been informed Senator Rennick “implored” his colleagues close to Ms Bishop and Mr Pyne to encourage them to resign from their roles.

Mr Joyce said Dr Parkinson’s clearance showed the rules needed reviewing. “Dr Parkinson has done a review and said there is nothing wrong. I think … we need to do a review on what is right,” he said. “I don’t think it stacks up. They might be within the guidelines, but I think it’s outside.”

Anthony Albanese said the questions over Ms Bishop and Mr Pyne highlighted the need for a national integrity commission.