Barnaby Joyce: PM’s leave announcement ensures saga stays alive

PM Malcolm Turnbull announces Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce will take personal leave next week, in Question Time in the House of Representatives Chamber at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

Malcolm Turnbull’s announcement on Barnaby Joyce going on leave next week has solved nothing for the Coalition and ensured the saga stays alive.

It is a sign of a government in retreat and unable to cauterise the bleeding wound that is the Nationals’ leader.

Why is the Deputy Prime Minister going on leave next week and can’t be acting PM? No explanation has been given apart from the obvious political problem- it has not been described by the Prime Minister or

Joyce.

After having full confidence in Joyce yesterday Turnbull now hasn’t explained why he can’t do his job. If it is personal he should say so and it should start sooner.

Everyone is left with the impression the government is embarrassed by the very presence of Joyce but unable to do anything but hide him from public eye.

Joyce looks like he is going into hiding because he can’t do his job and Turnbull opens the way for Bill Shorten to hammer home the message that he’s weak.