Scandal-hit Barnaby Joyce will face a leadership challenge as soon as next week as Nationals MPs seek to remove him from office.
Nationals MP Andrew Broad said on ABC Radio that Mr Joyce, 50, should ‘spend some time on the backbench’ after starting a relationship with his former staffer Vikki Campion, 33, who is pregnant with his child.
Mr Broad said he did not want to replace Joyce as leader of the Nationals.
The meeting is being held in the Nationals’ party room on Monday, where Mr Joyce may face a spill motion calling for him to quit as leader.
Scandal-hit Barnaby Joyce will face a leadership challenge as soon as next week as Nationals MPs seek to remove him from office
Nationals MP Andrew Broad said on ABC Radio that Mr Joyce, 50, should ‘spend some time on the backbench’
Mr Joyce is on leave after taking a break following revelations about his private life, however the Deputy Prime Minister has used his time off to give interviews to the press about the ongoing scandal.
Mr Broad said Mr Joyce’s interview with Fairfax Media about Ms Campion and the pending birth of their son was the final straw, the Courier Mail reported.
‘He’s meant to be taking a break, and he’s clearly playing to the media,’ Mr Broad said.
‘This is an issue we should have let quietly die and get on with the core job but he’s not prepared to do that.
‘He doesn’t hold that view. He should have some time out and clear his head.’
Mr Joyce is on leave after taking a break following revelations about his private life, however the Deputy Prime Minister has used his time off to give interviews to the press about the ongoing scandal
Mr Broad said he didn’t believe Mr Joyce was making sound judgment, and that he should stand down as Deputy Prime Minister.
‘At this point in time his judgment has erred, he’s not thinking in a place where he can be put up as the acting Prime Minister of Australia, he needs some time out to regroup,’ he said.
In an interview with Fairfax Media Mr Joyce said only God could judge him regarding his affair with Ms Campion, which resulted in the breakdown of his marriage to wife Natalie.
Mr Broad said Mr Joyce’s interview with Fairfax Media about former staffer Vikki Campion (left) and their pending birth of their son was the final straw