Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce is reportedly expecting a baby with a former staffer, just two months after he formerly announced he was separated from his wife of 24-years.
Mr Joyce, 50, is expecting a child with his former media advisor Vikki Campion, 33, who he has reportedly fallen ‘madly in love’ with, according to The Daily Telegraph.
While Mr Joyce announced he was separated from the mother of his four-children, Natalie Joyce, he has remained tight-lipped about the rumoured pregnancy.
Mr Joyce, 50, is expecting a child with his former media advisor Vikki Campion, 33, (together) who he has reportedly fallen ‘madly in love’ with
The new couple have moved in together ahead of the birth of their child in April, the publication reported.
A friend of the Deputy Prime Minister said the pregnancy was shrouded in secrecy because he was concerned about the wellbeing of his daughters.
‘He has been struggling with the family breakup, it’s put an enormous pressure on him,’ the source told the publication.
‘He’s had some pretty dark times.’
Ms Campion worked as Mr Joyce’s media advisor before she moved into a more senior role with Resources Minister Matt Canavan in April last year.
She later worked for Nationals chief parliamentary Whip Damian Drum but was left without a job when Mr Drum changed roles and became Assistant Minister to Deputy Prime Minister Joyce.
Mr Joyce, who was born in Tamworth, acknowledged he was separated and said he was ‘not a saint’ in a parliamentary admission last year.
‘I do support the current definition of marriage as it stands,’ he said the lead up to the same-sex marriage vote on December 7.
Mr Joyce, the Minister for Agriculture, has not been seen publicly with his wife Natalie since the Canberra Press Gallery Mid-Winter Ball in June last year
A friend of the deputy prime minister said the pregnancy was shrouded in secrecy because he was concerned about the wellbeing of his four daughters (family pictured in 2005)
‘It is a special relationship between a man and a woman, predominantly for the purpose of bringing children into the world.
‘I don’t come to this debate pretending to be any form of saint, but I do believe in the current definition of marriage, which has stood the test of time.
‘I acknowledge that I’m currently separated, so that’s on the record.’
The Deputy Prime Minister said he would ‘never vote against the view of the Australian people’ before he abstained from the final vote on December 7.
Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the National Party Barnaby Joyce, at coffee with his wife Natalie and dog Missty
Barnaby Joyce celebrates at The Nationals Party at West Tamworth Leagues Club in Tamworth on Saturday, December 2, 2017
Mr Joyce, the Minister for Agriculture, has not been seen publicly with his wife Natalie since the Canberra Press Gallery Mid-Winter Ball in June last year.
The Leader of The Nationals was forced to resign from his position as Deputy Prime Minister in August last year, amid a dual citizenship saga which embroiled Parliament.
The government lost its majority in the lower house after the High Court ruled he was ineligible to sit due to his dual New Zealand citizenship.
Mr Joyce, who has since renounced his New Zealand citizenship, comfortably won the New England by-election on December 2, and resumed his cabinet posts the same day.
Barnaby Joyce (pictured) the speaks to the media after winning the New England by-election