Barnaby Joyce has revealed he can’t remember the last time he spoke to Malcolm Turnbull face-to-face.
Mr Turnbull left his former deputy a message before he appeared in a tense interview with 7.30’s Leigh Sales on Wednesday night.
But apart from the message, Mr Joyce, 50, said he can’t remember the last time he spoke with the embattled prime minister, who is facing his 30th consecutive Newspoll loss next week.
Mr Joyce also confirmed his former media adviser girlfriend Vikki Campion, 33, is yet to give birth to his fifth child, who is due this month.
Former Australian deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce (pictured) said on Wednesday that he can’t remember the last time he spoke to Mr Turnbull face-to-face
Mr Turnbull (pictured) left his former deputy a message before he appeared in a tense interview with 7.30’s Leigh Sales
Apart from the message, Mr Joyce, 50, said he can’t remember the last time he spoke with the embattled prime minister
When asked on 7.30 if his child had been born, Mr Joyce paused and pretended to search off-screen for a baby, before replying: ‘No.’
Earlier in the interview, Ms Sales asked Mr Joyce how the state of his relationship with Mr Turnbull is since the pair engaged in a war of words over his affair with Ms Campion.
Mr Joyce said he had received a message from Mr Turnbull earlier in the night, but couldn’t remember the last contact the pair had.
He said: ‘Can’t remember. But look, don’t – I get along with Malcolm, there’s not an issue with Malcolm.’
Mr Joyce also confirmed his former media adviser girlfriend Vikki Campion (pictured), 33, is yet to give birth to his fifth child, who is due this month
When asked on 7.30 if his child had been born, Mr Joyce paused and pretended to search off-screen for a baby, before replying: ‘No’
Earlier in the interview, Ms Sales asked Mr Joyce how the state of his relationship with Mr Turnbull (pictured) is since the pair engaged in a war of words over his affair with Ms Campion
Mr Joyce insisted he remains a supporter of Mr Turnbull, despite saying he expects him to lose 30 consecutive Newspolls – the same amount the prime minister used to oust Tony Abbott from the job.
The former Nationals leader in February launched an extraordinary attack on Mr Turnbull over his public criticism of his extra-marital affair with Ms Campion.
A defiant Mr Joyce accused Mr Turnbull of adding to the hurt and harm caused by the scandal with ‘inept’ and ‘unnecessary’ comments – likening the prime minister’s intervention to ‘pulling a scab off’.
Mr Turnbull said he and his wife were aware of the hurt the affair caused Mr Joyce’s estranged wife and daughters.
Mr Joyce (pictured with Ms Campion) said he had received a message from Mr Turnbull earlier in the night, but couldn’t remember the last contact the pair had
Mr Joyce insisted he remains a supporter of Mr Turnbull (pictured), despite saying he expects him to lose 30 consecutive Newspolls – the same amount the prime minister used to oust Tony Abbott from the job
The former Nationals leader in February launched an extraordinary attack on Mr Turnbull over his public criticism of his extra-marital affair with Ms Campion (pictured)
‘These private matters are always very distressing for those involved,’ he said.
‘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 Joyce returned fire by saying: ‘Comments by the prime minister yesterday at his press conference … in many instances, they caused further harm.’
‘I believe they were in many instances inept and most definitely in many instances unnecessary.’
Last month, Mr Joyce updated his parliamentary records to announce Ms Campion as his official partner, and listed her property, shares, and bank account on his register.
Joyce confirmed his split with wife and mother of his four children, Natalie, in December.