Nationals whip Michelle Landry at odds with Barnaby Joyce’s personal leave claim

Barnaby Joyce says he will be taking leave until June 15, but Michelle Landry’s office says he sought leave until the end of June.

Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion on Sunday Night. Picture: Channel 7

Barnaby Joyce says he will only be taking leave until June 15, but National Party whip Michelle Landry’s office says he applied for leave until the end of June.

Mr Joyce tweeted this afternoon that he was taking leave for medical reasons.

“Contrary to reports, I’m taking leave until June 15 following a routine check up. The medical certificate provided allowed for a month,” he said.

“I look forward to resuming parliamentary duties. The electorate office will continue normal operations in this fortnight.”

However, a spokesman for Ms Landry said Mr Joyce had yesterday applied for leave until the end of June and it had been granted.

The Australian understands Mr Joyce has since decided he does not wish to be away until the end of June.

This means he will be in Canberra for the final sitting fortnight before the midwinter break and the July 28 by-elections.

Parliament rises for the six-week winter recess on June 28.

Contrary to reports, I’m taking leave until June 15 following a routine check up. The medical certificate provided allowed for a month. 1/2

— Barnaby Joyce (@Barnaby_Joyce) May 30, 2018

I look forward to resuming parliamentary duties. The electorate office will continue normal operations in this fortnight. 2/2

— Barnaby Joyce (@Barnaby_Joyce) May 30, 2018

Earlier, Veteran Affairs Minister Darren Chester said Mr Joyce looked “tired” and “exhausted” in parliament yesterday as he prepared to take extended personal leave.

“I respect Barnaby’s decision, he has been through a tough period in his life, there is no question about that, I’m not pretending to have a medical view about this I am not a GP,” Mr Chester told Sky News.

“I thought yesterday Barnaby looked like he needed a break, he looked pretty tired and pretty exhausted, so I think it is the right thing for him to do.”

Mr Joyce yesterday requested leave from Nationals Whip Michelle Landry and Labor has granted him a pair. His leave will last until the end of June, effective immediately, and he is not expected to return to parliament until August.

Mr Chester spoke as Leader of the House Christopher Pyne said the former deputy Prime Minister was given leave for medical reasons.

“Like any worker in Australia they are entitled to sick leave, Barnaby has a sick leave certificate provided by his medical practitioner and that is why he has been given leave and any other person in the workplace who produced such a certificate would get the same kind of leave,” Mr Pyne told Adelaide radio station 5AA.

The Australian understands Mr Joyce — who has not taken extended leave since his affair with former staffer Vikki Campion was revealed earlier this year — has come under personal stress following revelations the couple agreed to a $150,000 paid interview with the Seven Network.

Mr Joyce has been contacted for comment.

The move came as a tearful Vikki Campion spoke publicly for the first time since her affair with Mr Joyce became public, declaring she “couldn’t help” falling in love with her then boss.

Channel Seven last night showed an excerpt from the $150,000 interview, which is due to screen on Sunday.

In the clip, Ms Campion defends falling in love with Mr Joyce when she was working as his media adviser.

“I couldn’t help it. You can’t help who you fall in love with,” she said.

Mr Joyce told The Australian yesterday it was Ms Campion who had made the decision to accept money for the interview because she and their six-week-old son Sebastian were being “screwed over” by constant media attention.

VIDEO: First PROMO for Barnaby Joyce & Vikki Campion chat with Ch7 on Sunday Night.

More NOW #pmlive @SkyNewsAust pic.twitter.com/CSeCb65PRh

— Paul Murray (@PMOnAir) May 29, 2018

“Remember, there are other people in this interview, being Vikki and Seb, so if it was just an interview with me as a politician, sure, I am not going to charge for that,” Mr Joyce said.

“But that is not what they wanted, they wanted an interview obviously to get Vikki’s side of the story and like most mothers she said: ‘seeing as I am being screwed over and there are drones and everything over my house in the last fortnight, paparazzi waiting for me, if everybody else is making money then (I am) going to make money out of it’.”

A screen shot of Vikki Campion, partner of Barnaby Joyce. Picture: Channel 7

Further excerpts from the interview feature Ms Campion claiming political pressure was exerted to attempt to stop her proceeding with her pregnancy.

“They said if you don’t, they’re going to come after you,” Ms Campion says, to which Mr Joyce interjects: “They did.”

A screen grab Sunday Night’s segment with Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion. Picture: Channel 7

Ms Campion says she would “do anything” to protect her baby.

She is shown bathing baby Sebastian and saying, “Everything was worth it for this.”

Mr Joyce repeatedly says he “failed”.

Ms Campion is also quizzed about a “showdown” with Natalie Joyce, saying “I can’t repeat the words” when asked what was said during their exchange.