Malcolm Turnbull has been called on to explain the two jobs specially created for Barnaby Joyce’s pregnant girlfriend Vikki Campion.
Labor has ramped up its pressure on the prime minister after it was revealed he twice authorised the creation of six-figure jobs for the media advisor – once with resources minister Matt Canavan and then with Nationals chief whip Damian Drum.
‘I think it is time for Malcolm Turnbull to give a proper statement about what’s happened there,’ Labor finance spokesman Jim Chalmers said on Saturday, according to Sydney Morning Herald.
The opposition has ramped up its pressure on Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) after it was revealed he twice authorised the creation of six-figure jobs for Mr Joyce’s pregnant girlfriend Vikki Campion
Ms Campion (pictured) was twice handed specially created roles – once with resources minister Matt Canavan and then with Nationals chief whip Damian Drum
‘I think it is time for Malcolm Turnbull to give a proper statement about what’s happened there,’ Labor finance spokesman Jim Chalmers (pictured) said on Saturday
‘I don’t know, you don’t know, the ins and outs of what arrangements have been struck. It’s for the prime minister to stand up as soon as possible and explain that to the Australian people.’
Meanwhile, opposition leader Bill Shorten said it would be ‘wise’ for Mr Turnbull to reassure the public that ‘nothing untoward’ occurred during Ms Campion’s job movements.
But Mr Turnbull is yet to make further comment after saying on Friday he was ‘not aware of any inappropriate expenditure of public funds’.
A spokesperson for the prime minister said the staffing appointments were made in the ‘usual way’.
Room was made for the expectant mother of Mr Joyce’s child in the office of Mr Drum after she lost her senior advisor role in Senator Canavan’s office, following his resignation from Cabinet over his Italian citizenship in July.
The 33-year-old was handed a role as a senior media advisor, even though Mr Drum already had one, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten (pictured) said it would be ‘wise’ for Mr Turnbull to reassure the public that ‘nothing untoward’ occurred during Ms Campion’s job movements
Mr Turnbull is yet to make further comment after saying on Friday he was ‘not aware of any inappropriate expenditure of public funds’
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.
Ms Campion reportedly retained the six-figure salary she was earning while working for Senator Canavan.
Parliamentary rules state any increase in staffing allocations must be approved by the prime minister’s office.
Mr Drum’s (pictured) staff allocation was increased from six to seven – with Mr Turnbull’s approval – to accommodate Ms Campion’s appointment
This week it was revealed Mr Joyce, 50, and Ms Campion are in a private relationship and are expecting a baby
Mr Joyce (pictured) and his girlfriend were also revealed to be living together rent-free in an Armidale townhouse gifted by the deputy prime minister’s multi-millionaire friend
Mr Turnbull broke his silence on his deputy’s relationship with Ms Campion on Friday, 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.’
The pair were also revealed to be living together rent-free in an Armidale townhouse gifted by the deputy prime minister’s multi-millionaire friend.