Malcolm Turnbull declines to support Barnaby Joyce as Deputy PM

On his first full day in Washington, Malcolm Turnbull refuses to say if he wants Barnaby Joyce to remain Deputy PM.

Malcolm Turnbull speaks with journalists outside the White House, in Washington. Picture: AAP.

Malcolm Turnbull has refused to say if he wants Barnaby Joyce to remain Deputy Prime Minister, as the Nationals leader comes under renewed pressure after a sexual harassment complaint was lodged against him.

On his first full day of a three-day visit to Washington, the Prime Minister repeatedly declined to offer Mr Joyce his support but pointed out the Nationals’ leadership “deliberations” were a matter for the junior Coalition partner.

Keen to focus on the his meetings with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Homeland Security secretary Kirsten Nielsen and the largest ever delegation of Australian business leaders and premiers to the US capital, Mr Turnbull initially said he had nothing to add on Mr

Joyce.

Pressed on whether he backed the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Turnbull said: “Barnaby Joyce is the leader of the National Party of Australia. As leader of the National Party of Australia in a Coalition government he is my Deputy Prime Minister.

“The leadership of the National Party is a matter for the National Party and I’ve been at great pains to stress that I have not nor has my party sought to influence in any way the deliberations of the National Party any more than I’d expect the National Party to seek to

influence deliberations of the Liberal Party.”

Tensions between the Coalition leaders erupted last week after Mr Turnbull introduced a new ministerial code of conduct banning sex between ministers and their staff and urged Mr Joyce to “reflect” on his position.

Mr Joyce, who is on personal leave until Monday and is having a baby with his former media adviser Vikki Campion in April, labelled Mr Turnbull’s comments “inept” and “unnecessary”.

The controversy surrounding Mr Joyce’s relationship with Ms Campion and the subsequent fallout has now dogged the Turnbull government for more than two weeks.

Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie yesterday threw her support behind Mr Joyce after colleague Andrew Broad called for him to move to the backbench. It was also revealed the party’s executive was assessing a sexual harassment complain from a West Australian woman.

Mr Broad has not committed to moving a spill motion against Mr Joyce but said he would raise the issue at Monday’s party room meeting. Not all of the party’s senators and members will be at the meeting because only the House of Representatives is in session, while the

Senate will be dealing with estimates.

“The Nationals are proud to be a democratic party. All of our MPs are welcome to bring issues to the party room. And as always these are discussed internally in confidence,” Senator McKenzie said.

“There is no stronger advocate for regional Australian than Barnaby Joyce.”