Overjoyed Barnaby Joyce plays rugby league with fellow politicians

Overjoyed Barnaby Joyce, 54, has a spring in his step as he plays touch footy with fellow pollies after reclaiming Nationals leadership

  • Barnaby Joyce was sworn in as Deputy PM and Leader of Nationals on Tuesday 
  • On his second morning in the role he played touch footy with fellow politicians
  • The game came ahead of Sunday’s State of Origin Clash between NSW and QLD 

Barnaby Joyce was all smiles as he enjoyed a game of touch footy with fellow politicians a day after being sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister for the second time.

The 54-year-old, who stole National Party leadership from Michael McCormack in a coup on Monday, represented the Queensland pollies in the clash ahead of Sunday’s round two State of Origin game. 

Mr Joyce was born and raised in Tamworth, New South Wales but later set up an accountancy practice in the Queensland town of St George, five hours west of Brisbane, before becoming a Queensland senator in 2005.

In 2013, he switched the House and became the member for New England in NSW – but it seems his loyalties still lie with the Maroons. 

A happy man: Barnaby Joyce, 54, was all smiles after the touch game on Wednesday morning

Mr Joyce, who stole National Party leadership from Michael McCormack in a coup on Monday, represented the Queensland pollies in the clash

Mr Joyce, who stole National Party leadership from Michael McCormack in a coup on Monday, represented the Queensland pollies in the clash

The match was organised ahead of Sunday's round two State of Origin game in Brisbane

The match was organised ahead of Sunday’s round two State of Origin game in Brisbane

Mr Joyce was born and raised in Tamworth, New South Wales but later set up an accountancy practice in the Queensland town of St George

Mr Joyce was born and raised in Tamworth, New South Wales but later set up an accountancy practice in the Queensland town of St George

Poll

Does Barnaby Joyce’s return make you more or less likely to vote for the government?

  • More likely 70 votes
  • Less likely 256 votes
  • No difference 86 votes

He was joined on the Queensland team by pacey senator Matt Canavan, an ardent coal-mining supporter who organised the coup against Mr McCormack. 

Labor MP Graham Perrett and Senator Murray Watt also joined the Maroons while Shortland MP Pat Conroy was spotted wearing New South Wales blue.

Mr Joyce stood down as Nationals Leader three years ago after his extra-marital affair with staffer Vikki Campion was made public at the same time as a woman accused him of sexually harassing her after an event in Canberra.

A National Party investigation into the harassment claims, which Mr Joyce denies, was inconclusive due to a lack of evidence. 

The father of six – who has four daughters from his collapsed marriage and two sons with his former staffer Campion – reclaimed leadership of the Nationals in a party vote on Monday.

Mr Joyce stood down as Nationals Leader three years ago after his extra-marital affair with staffer Vikki Campion was made public. He is pictured waving to the press

Mr Joyce stood down as Nationals Leader three years ago after his extra-marital affair with staffer Vikki Campion was made public. He is pictured waving to the press

The Deputy Prime Minister is pictured wearing a maroon jersey as he holds the ball during the game

The Deputy Prime Minister is pictured wearing a maroon jersey as he holds the ball during the game 

Mr Joyce was joined on the Queensland team by pacey senator Matt Canavan (pictured), an ardent coal-mining supporter who organised the coup against Mr McCormack

Mr Joyce was joined on the Queensland team by pacey senator Matt Canavan (pictured), an ardent coal-mining supporter who organised the coup against Mr McCormack

Mr Joyce was animated on the pitch as demonstrated the competitive spirit which saw him overthrow Mr McCormack

Mr Joyce was animated on the pitch as demonstrated the competitive spirit which saw him overthrow Mr McCormack

The leader of the National Party – which is in a Coalition with Scott Morrison’s Liberal Party – holds the role of Deputy Prime Minister when in government. 

Ms Joyce’s 24-year marriage to Natalie collapsed in December 2017 and two months later it was revealed he had been having an affair with his former media advisor Ms Campion. 

In February 2018 it was revealed the pair were expecting a child in a Daily Telegraph front page which featured a picture of a pregnant Ms Campion under the headline ‘Bundle of Joyce’.

The Nationals leader initially claimed the child may not be his, insisting the identity of the father was a ‘grey area’ – but said he would not take a paternity test and would raise the boy named Sebastian as his. 

Re-elected Leader of the Nationals Barnaby Joyce poses for a photograph with partner Vikki Campion and sons Sebastian and Thomas after being sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister

Re-elected Leader of the Nationals Barnaby Joyce poses for a photograph with partner Vikki Campion and sons Sebastian and Thomas after being sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk