Barnaby Joyce’s estranged wife has made her first public appearance since her husband’s affair with his pregnant former staffer was revealed.
Natalie Joyce left the deputy prime minister’s love child scandal behind her on Saturday with a day aboard the exclusive Tango super yacht on Sydney Harbour.
The $5,250 per hour cruise, on Sydney’s most expensive yacht available for private charter, marked the 40th birthday of National Party donor, Kirsty Berger.
Mrs Joyce was pictured smiling and looking into the eyes of political lobbyist Michael Kauter, a close friend of the Joyce family and a former senior Nationals adviser.
Natalie Joyce left the deputy prime minister’s love child scandal behind her on Saturday. She was was pictured smiling and gazing into the eyes of political lobbyist Michael Kauter, a close friend of the Joyce family and a former Nationals political adviser
Mrs Joyce (right) was also pictured below deck mingling with guests, including Sky News CEO Angelos Frangopoulos (second from right)
The $5,250 per hour cruise was onbaord Sydney’s most expensive yacht available for private charter, the Tango
‘With Natalie Joyce celebrating Kirsty Berger’s 40th Birthday,’ Mr Kauter captioned the photo, which showed the boat cruising passed the Sydney Opera House.
One of Barnaby and Natalie Joyce’s four daughters, Bridgette, described the photo as ‘beautiful’ and added two love heart emojies in an online comment.
In another image, Mrs Joyce was seen enjoying a glass of pink champagne with Mr Kauter and his partner, David Gracey.
She was also pictured below deck mingling with guests, including Sky News CEO Angelos Frangopoulos.
The occasion marked the 40th birthday of National Party donor, Kirsty Berger (pictured right)
Friends of Mrs Joyce said the cruise was the perfect opportunity to forget the ‘traumatic’ past week. The DJ during Saturday’s cruise is pictured posing for a photo
Mrs Joyce was seen enjoying a glass of pink champagne as she mingled with guests below and above deck
‘Surprise! Kirsty Berger had absolutely NO idea!’ Mr Kauter captioned a snap he posted on Instagram.
‘Best birthday yet on Tango. Lesli Berger, what a super husband you are,’ the captioned read, referencing Ms Berger’s property mogul partner.
Mr Kauter has previously shared an image of himself with his arm around Mr Joyce, celebrating his 2017 swearing in as Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture and Water Resources Minister.
Friends of Mrs Joyce said the cruise was the perfect opportunity forget the ‘traumatic’ past week.
Mrs Joyce is seen with Mr Kauter and his partner, David Gracey, during Saturday’s cruise
A Chanel birthday cake is pictured during celebrations of the 40th birthday of National Party donor, Kirsty Berger
The Tango super was built with ‘no expense spared’ and with a six star fit out, according to an online listing
‘It was a chance for her to relax with friends after what’s been a terribly traumatic time for her,’ one told The Daily Telegraph.
‘Everyone was right behind her. She’s very resilient.’
Complete with a helicopter pad, the Tango super was built with ‘no expense spared’ and with a six star fit out, according to an online listing.
‘Tango is 140 feet of absolute pleasure and carries two six metre tenders and three kayaks for water sports, a sauna and spa cater for those wishing to relax,’ it reads.
‘Tango accommodates 8 guests overnight, or 70 guests for a Harbour cruise or a cocktail style 5 star event.’
Meanwhile, Mr Joyce remained defiant on Monday and said he would not be quitting as potential new leadership candidates began to circle.
Mr Kauter has previously shared an image of himself with his arm around Mr Joyce, celebrating his 2017 swearing in as Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture and Water Resources Minister
Guests are seen below deck of the no expense spared cruise around Sydney Harbour
Barnaby Joyce, 50, is in a relationship with his former media adviser Vikki Campion, 33
About a third of the Nationals party room have openly supported Mr Joyce, while six are locked against him and the rest have refused to comment, the paper reported.
‘People are starting to see this as a witch hunt. I’m not going anywhere, I never would,’ Mr Joyce told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘People know enough about me to know that I’m hardly one to run away from a fight.’
Mr Joyce has vowed to fight on despite the criticism and mounting pressure on him to quit amid the scandal engulfing the federal government.
‘I’ve been in heaps of fights in my political life, this is another one,’ he said.
‘In any person’s political career you aren’t created by the times in your favour, you’re tempered by the times of adversity. That’s how politics works – you rise to deal with it.’
The deputy prime minister has taken personal leave after his affair with Vikki Campion was made public.
Mr Joyce’s relationship with his younger former media adviser had cost taxpayers more than $28,000 for them to travel together for work
Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and his wife Natalie arriving for the annual Mid Winter Ball at Parliament House in Canberra last year