Barnaby Joyce charged taxpayers to stay 100km from home

Barnaby Joyce claimed expenses to stay 100km from his family home for 26 nights in one month while he was still with his wife.

The disgraced Deputy Prime Minister charged taxpayers $372 a night to stay in Armidale, 90 minutes from his home, in March last year.

The figures were first published by the Sunday Telegraph which said it could find ‘no record of media events or parliamentary business in Armidale on those nights.’

Barnaby Joyce claimed expenses to stay the night 100km from his family home for 26 nights a month while he was still with his wife 

Mr Joyce has been under pressure to resign since his affair with his now-pregnant staffer Vicky Campion (pictured) became public last week

Mr Joyce has been under pressure to resign since his affair with his now-pregnant staffer Vicky Campion (pictured) became public last week

Records also showed Joyce claimed for 25 nights on the road in May and 25 in August.

For comparison, Treasurer Scott Morrison spent only 10 nights away from home in March.

Mr Joyce’s office did not respond to a request for comment from the Telegraph. 

Mr Joyce has been under pressure to resign since his affair with his now-pregnant staffer Vicky Campion, 33, became public last week. 

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull met with Joyce on Saturday after urging him to consider his position as deputy leader, but he has refused to step down. 

Members of the National Party have reportedly been plotting to oust Mr Joyce from leadership through secret conversations on messaging service WhatsApp, The Advertiser reported. 

The party has been divided by members planning to rid their leader, while others have praised Mr Joyce.  

Despite talking with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) in an urgent meeting on Saturday, Barnaby Joyce continues to keep his position, 'frustrating' the country's leader

Despite talking with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) in an urgent meeting on Saturday, Barnaby Joyce continues to keep his position, ‘frustrating’ the country’s leader

Mr Joyce (pictured) agreed to take personal leave this week which will mean he won't be the acting prime minister while Mr Turnbull is in America

Mr Joyce (pictured) agreed to take personal leave this week which will mean he won’t be the acting prime minister while Mr Turnbull is in America

Members of the National Party have reportedly been plotting to oust Mr Joyce (pictured with Ms Campion) from leadership through secret conversations on WhatsApp

Members of the National Party have reportedly been plotting to oust Mr Joyce (pictured with Ms Campion) from leadership through secret conversations on WhatsApp

Mr Joyce’s 24-year marriage ended with estranged wife Natalie late last year, which he announced in December at Parliament House in Canberra. The couple had four daughters together.  

Malcolm Turnbull said on Thursday the ministerial code of conduct had been rewritten and asked Mr Joyce to ‘consider his position’. 

‘The real issue is the terrible hurt and humiliation that Barnaby, by his conduct, has visited on his wife, Natalie and their daughters and indeed, his new partner,’ Mr Turnbull said in Canberra.

‘Barnaby made a shocking error of judgement in having an affair with a young woman working in his office.

‘He has set off a world of woe for those women and appalled all of us.’

The Prime Minister asked Mr Joyce on Thursday (pictured) to 'consider his position' 

The Prime Minister asked Mr Joyce on Thursday (pictured) to ‘consider his position’ 

The controversial deputy's 24-year marriage ended with estranged wife Natalie (pictured together) late last year, which Mr Joyce announced in December

The controversial deputy’s 24-year marriage ended with estranged wife Natalie (pictured together) late last year, which Mr Joyce announced in December

Mr Joyce responded in tit-for-tat style the following day.

‘In regards to comments by the Prime Minister yesterday at his press conference, I have to say that in many instances they caused further harm,’ Mr Joyce said.

‘I believe they were in many instances inept. And most definitely in many instances unnecessary. 

‘All that is going to do is basically once more pull the scab off for everybody to have a look at.’

The Prime Minister cannot sack his deputy because it is up to the Nationals MPs to choose their leader under the coalition agreement. 



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