Barnaby Joyce cutting his medical leave in half

Barnaby Joyce will return to Canberra in time for the ‘Super Saturday’ of five by-elections.

Barnaby Joyce in parliament. Picture: Kym Smith

Barnaby Joyce will return to Canberra in time for the final sitting fortnight before the “Super Saturday” of five by-elections, despite being granted medical leave until the end of next month.

The former deputy prime minister said he had received a medical certificate granting him leave, ­following a routine check-up on Tuesday.

Nationals whip Michelle Lan­dry granted him leave until the end of next month, but The Australian understands he has since decided he wants to return to work a fortnight earlier, and plans to end his leave on June 15.

Mr Joyce’s absence follows sustained public criticism of his decision to accept $150,000 from the Seven Network for an interview about his relationship with former media adviser Vikki Campion, which screens on Sunday night.

The former Nationals leader defended the move, saying it was Ms Campion’s decision to ­accept the money because she and son Sebastian were being “screwed over” by constant media attention.

Mr Joyce tweeted yesterday 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.”

MPs will return to Canberra for the final sitting fortnight before the midwinter break on June 18, and then rise on June 28.

They will be back in their electorates in the lead-up to the by-elections on July 28.

Mr Joyce’s successor as Nat­ionals leader, Michael McCormack, pointedly avoided backing Mr Joyce to run in his northern NSW seat at the next election, saying it was a matter for Mr Joyce and the Nationals in New England to decide their local candidate.

Asked whether it was possible Mr Joyce would not run, Mr McCormack told The Conversation’s Michelle Grattan: “Anything’s possible in politics.”

Opposition trade spokesman Jason Clare said Malcolm Turnbull would be relieved Mr Joyce was going on leave because the saga surrounding his personal life exposed the government as being “divided and dysfunctional”.

“He has asked for a pair and we’ve granted it. I can understand why he needs some time off,” Mr Clare told Sky News. “Obviously he is going through some big challenges … and they are only em­phasised by the fact he has got a newborn baby.

“I can also understand why Malcolm Turnbull doesn’t want him in the building either because this has been a weeping sore for the government.

“Every time Barnaby is on the front page of the Daily Telegraph, it just reminds everybody that this government is divided and dysfunctional — they were at each other’s throats about this again yesterday.”