Barnaby Joyce’s blunders and brilliance

The moments that have defined Barnaby Joyce’s political career to date, after he announced he will resign as Nationals leader.

Barnaby Joyce has announced he will resign from his position as Nationals Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minster. Picture: AAP.

The moments that have defined Barnaby Joyce’s political career to date, after he announced he will resign as Nationals leader and deputy prime minister.

LIVE: Joyce announces he will quit as Nationals leader and deputy prime minister

THE AFFAIR

Barnaby Joyce, left, and Vikki Campion

Public revelations of Joyce’s affair with former staffer Vikki Campion ignited a political storm. Campion’s moves to Resources Minister Matt Canavan and Nationals whip Damian Drum’s offices have come under heavy scrutiny. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull blasted Joyce’s conduct, calling it a “shocking error of judgment” and banned ministers from having sexual relations with their staff. Campion is due to give birth to their baby in April.

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CLOSET KIWI

Barnaby Joyce with PM Malcolm Turnbull celebrating his win in the New England by-election. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen.

The High Court ruled Joyce ineligible to sit in parliament after it was revealed he held New Zealand citizenship by descent. He faced a by-election in December which he won by a whopping majority, collecting 65 per cent of the primary vote.

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PISTOL AND BOO

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard speaking for an Australian Biosecurity video. Picture: Supplied.

Joyce made international headlines in 2015 when he told Hollywood star Johnny Depp’s then wife Amber Heard her pair of pooches better “bugger off” back to the US or he’d have them put down. Heard was placed on a one-month good behaviour bond over illegally smuggling Pistol and Boo into Australia and the couple filmed an awkward apology video.

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RENT FREE

Barnaby Joyce lived rent-free in an Armidale townhouse. Picture: AAP.

Joyce came under fire for living rent-free with Campion in an Armidale townhouse courtesy of wealthy businessman Greg Maguire. Joyce said Maguire contacted him to offer the house, meaning he didn’t breach the ministerial code of conduct.

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GINA’S GEE UP

Gina Rinehart with Barnaby Joyce. Picture: News Corp.

Close mate and mining magnate Gina Rinehart handed him a $40,000 novelty-sized cheque for winning the inaugural National Agriculture Related Industries Prize last year. He later “politely declined” the money, saying he was surprised to receive the award.

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PESTICIDES

Barnaby Joyce started his career in federal politics in the Senate before becoming the member for New England. Picture: John Feder.

As agriculture minister, Joyce was responsible for shifting the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority from Canberra to Armidale in his New England electorate. Accusations of pork-barrelling surrounded the relocation and it later emerged the agency had spent almost $15,000 at a Maguire-owned hotel in Armidale.

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BARNABY BANK

Barnaby Joyce. Picture: AAP.

While he no longer held the agriculture portfolio when legislation cleared parliament, Joyce was behind the government’s Regional Investment Corporation which will be responsible for managing up to $4 billion of regional loans. The “Barnaby Bank” has been derided by Labor as a “shocking pork-barrel” due to its location in Orange, where the Nationals lost a state by-election.

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JOYCE’S ACHIEVEMENTS

Barnaby Joyce said he’s proud of his achievements. Picture: Kym Smith.

While announcing his intention to resign as the leader of the Nationals Party, Joyce listed some of his key achievements while in parliament.

“I don’t think anybody can deny the work I’ve done for the people of New England, whether it is the mobile phone towers, the Scone Sale Yards, it goes on,” Joyce said.

“I just noted the other day, the dementia unit opened up and we got the money for that and on and on it goes.

“The upgrade of the airport here. We were part of that. Decentralisation ofjobs into Armidale from APVMA in Canberra. These programs have always been at the forefront of what I do.”

AAP