The most controversial couple in Australian politics could have secured a tell-all interview for double the amount they settled for.
Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion last week accepted $150,000 from Channel 7 for participating in their first interview since the scandal was revealed earlier this year.
The former deputy prime minister came under fire when it was revealed he was having an affair with his former staffer – ending his 24 year marriage – who later gave birth to their son Sebastian.
The most controversial couple (Vikki Campion left and Barnaby Joyce right) in Australian politics could have secured a tell-all interview for double the amount they settled for
Mr Joyce (pictured) last week accepted $150,000 from Channel 7 for participating in their first interview since the scandal was revealed earlier this year
The former deputy prime minister came under fire when it was revealed he was having an affair with his former staffer (Ms Campion pictured) who later gave birth to their son Sebastian
The Nine Network reportedly offered the new parents up to $300,000 for the highly sought after interview, Sydney Morning Herald reported.
However, Seven’s Sunday Night program had already sealed the deal for a figure half that size.
‘Seven had been chipping away at this for months. It wasn’t just about the money, it was about the fact Seven started negotiating first and built up trust (with Mr Joyce and Ms Campion),’ an insider told the publication.
Ms Campion’s father, Peter Campion, revealed the lump sum went to a trust account for the five-week old’s future ‘health and education’ including school fees, Cairns Post reported.
‘Channel Nein (sic) didn’t lose a bidding war with Seven because the story wasn’t offered to anyone,’ Mr Campion said.
‘Nein’s (sic) negativity is a fat, festering bunch of sour grapes because it wasn’t their idea.
The Nine Network reportedly offered the new parents up to $300,000 for the highly sought after interview but the deal was already signed with Channel 7
Insiders revealed that ‘Seven had been chipping away at this (tell-all interview) for months’
‘Seven had the idea to explore the story and made Vikki an offer for the privilege, which she accepted.’
Mr Joyce was slammed for accepting money for the interview, despite asking for privacy earlier in the year, and has since taken personal leave where he is expected to return to Parliament in August.
The controversial couple are expected to reveal details of their relationship and their side of the story on Sunday Night months after the political scandal first broke.
Mr Joyce (pictured with Ms Campion) was slammed for accepting money for the interview, despite asking for privacy earlier in the year, and has since taken personal leave
Since the affair was revealed, the 51-year-old (pictured with Ms Campion) quit his Nationals leader position which left him with a pay cut from $416,000 to $203,000
The affair left Mr Joyce estranged from his wife of 24 years and four adult daughters.
The 51-year-old then quit his Nationals leader position which left him with a pay cut from $416,000 to $203,000.
Despite the publicly painful turmoil of her boyfriend, Ms Campion, said it was the price for love.
‘I couldn’t help it. You can’t help who you fall in love with,’ the 33-year-old said.
The highly anticipated tell-all interview will air Sunday, 8.30pm.
Despite the publicly painful turmoil of her boyfriend, Ms Campion (pictured), said it was the price for love