Malcolm Turnbull signed off on the creation of a second job for Barnaby Joyce’s girlfriend Vikki Campion after she lost her position with resources minister Matt Canavan.
The prime minister authorised the specially made role for the 33-year-old after she lost her senior advisor role in Senator Canavan’s office following his resignation from Cabinet over his Italian citizenship in July.
Room was then made for the expectant mother of Mr Joyce’s child in the office of Nationals chief whip Damian Drum, where she acted as a media advisor, even though he already had one, the Daily Telegraph has reported.
Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) signed off on the creation of a second new job for Barnaby Joyce’s girlfriend Vikki Campion after she lost hers with resources minister Matt Canavan
The prime minister authorised the specially made role for the 33-year-old (pictured) after she lost her senior advisor role in Senator Canavan’s office following his resignation from Cabinet over his Italian citizenship in July
The expectant mother of Mr Joyce’s child was then made room in the office of Nationals chief whip Damian Drum as a media advisor, even though he already had one
Mr Drum’s staff allocation was increased from six to seven – with Mr Turnbull’s approval – to accommodate Ms Campion’s appointment, a senior government source told the publication.
Callum Whitehead was already working as Mr Drum’s ‘personal’ media advisor, making less than $80,000 when Ms Campion was appointed.
She reportedly retained the six-figure salary she was earning while working for Senator Canavan.
The position wasn’t advertised to any other candidates, but a spokesperson for Mr Turnbull said ‘all staffing appointments were made in the usual way’.
Parliamentary rules state any increase in staffing allocations must be approved by the prime minister’s office.
Mr Turnbull said he’s unaware of ‘any inappropriate expenditure of public funds’ and declined to answer any further questions.
Mr Drum’s (pictured) staff allocation was increased from six to seven – with Mr Turnbull’s approval – to accommodate Ms Campion’s appointment, a senior government source told the publication
This week it was revealed Mr Joyce, 50, and Ms Campion are in a private relationship and are expecting a baby
Mr Turnbull (pictured) broke his silence on his deputy’s relationship with Ms Campion, describing it as ‘a tough and distressing episode’
But he broke his silence on his deputy’s relationship with Ms Campion, describing it as ‘a tough and distressing episode’.
This week it was revealed Mr Joyce, 50, and Ms Campion are in a private relationship and are expecting a baby.
‘It is a tough and distressing episode and I am very conscious – Lucy and I are very conscious – of the hurt occasioned to Natalie and their daughters in particular,’ Mr Turnbull said.
‘It’s a private matter, it’s a tough matter and I don’t have any more to say about it.’