Politics

Barnaby Joyce says he was forced to take leave after medical check-up

May 30, 2018

Barnaby Joyce has confirmed the real reason he's taking time off.

Barnaby Joyce has broken his silence to slam false rumours, after it was revealed he’s taking personal leave from his parliamentary duties ahead of his $150k interview airing on Channel 7 this weekend.

The former deputy prime minister, 51, has confirmed he’s been forced to take two weeks off work following a “routine check-up”, and has a medical certificate allowing for a month off.

Taking to Twitter to slam speculation around why he’s backed out from his political duties, he wrote on Twitter: “Contrary to reports, I’m taking leave until June 15 following a routine check up. The medical certificate provided allowed for a month.

“I look forward to resuming parliamentary duties. The electorate office will continue normal operations in this fortnight.”

Contrary to reports, I’m taking leave until June 15 following a routine check up. The medical certificate provided allowed for a month. 1/2

— Barnaby Joyce (@Barnaby_Joyce) May 30, 2018

I look forward to resuming parliamentary duties. The electorate office will continue normal operations in this fortnight. 2/2

— Barnaby Joyce (@Barnaby_Joyce) May 30, 2018

Reports previously suggested that Joyce requested some time-off from Nationals Party Whip Michelle Landry after he came under personal stress relating to the recent furore surrounding him. He was said to have taken almost two months off.

It sparked wide backlash from social media users and other politicians, with Senator Derryn Hinch even suggesting that he is now looking for a “way out” of Canberra.

It comes just days before the former deputy prime minister’s televised interview with his new partner Vikki Campion is due to be aired on the Seven Network’s Sunday Night programme, earning the couple a six-figure payday.

News of the lucrative media deal sparked outrage amongst the public and Joyce came under fire from his fellow politicians yesterday as a number of MPs weighed in on the debate surrounding Barnaby’s decision to sell his love story for $150,000.

In the chat, Campion breaks her silence for the first time since it was revealed she was pregnant with Joyce’s child back in February.

https://twitter.com/PMOnAir/status/1001429054484955136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnational-affairs%2Fvikki-campion-defends-relationship-with-barnaby-joyce%2Fnews-story%2Fb0e8d289d9e1c92e7cc695d9027c8475&tfw_site=australian

In a teaser clip for Sunday night’s show, the 33-year-old says: “I couldn’t help it. You can’t help who you fall in love with.”

In their first TV interview as a couple, father-of-five Joyce and his partner Vikki Campion will discuss their newborn son, Sebastian, as well as the details of their highly publicised relationship.

Defending his decision to accept the cash payout earlier this week, Joyce claimed that his efforts to keep his relationship private had been thwarted by the press, and went on to blame Campion for accepting the cash sum.

The 51-year-old said: “We tried for privacy. In the last fortnight we’ve had drones over our house. We’ve had paparazzi waiting for us….We tried just burning this out and that didn’t work.”

Details of the couple’s relationship emerged back in February when former staffer Vikki was spotted with a blooming baby bump. Joyce had previously split from his wife of 24-years, Natalie, in December last year after admitting he was no saint.