Barnaby Joyce makes personal decision after humiliating footage of his late-night fall sparked calls for the ex-deputy prime minister to take time off
Barnaby Joyce is taking time off just weeks after he was filmed lying intoxicated on a public footpath slurring swear words into his phone.
The former deputy prime minister came under intense scrutiny earlier this month after a viral video emerged of him lying on a Canberra street late at night, which he later blamed on mixing alcohol with prescription drugs.
Ahead of a busy day of parliamentary sitting on Monday, Nationals leader David Littleproud said Joyce had taken a week off after urging the MP to take time off to deal with “personal matters”.
‘I take Barnaby at his word. He won’t be there this week. He has informed me that he will not be coming to Parliament,” Mr Littleproud said.
The former deputy prime minister came under intense scrutiny earlier this month after a viral video emerged of him lying on a Canberra street late at night, which he later blamed on mixing alcohol with prescription drugs.
Ahead of a busy day of parliamentary sitting on Monday, Nationals leader David Littleproud said Mr Joyce had taken a week off after urging the MP to take time off to deal with “personal matters”.
‘He has a week off, which we gave him together with his family.
‘I respect that. And I hope, I hope he went to church yesterday and all he had was altar wine.”
Mr Joyce said he was giving up alcohol for Lent.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joked that Joyce will not host his money party after announcing his engagement to girlfriend Jodie Haydon.
The 60-year-old Albanian got down on one knee on Valentine’s Day and has since been answering questions from the media about his marriage.
Speaking to Fox FM radio presenters in Melbourne, Mr Albanese quickly brushed aside the idea of embattled Nationals Frontbencher Mr Joyce planning his money night.
“No mate, I want to stay vertical,” the Prime Minister said on Friday.
Mr Albanese had previously ruled out inviting Mr Joyce to the wedding, telling KIIS FM’s Kyle and Jackie O on Wednesday that he was the only person on the list so far.
“Barnaby’s not invited… that’s very clear,” he said.
The Albanian government has taken a hit in the new polls since the revision of the third phase of tax cuts and the days after a crucial by-election.
Parliament will meet for the next four days before the by-election in the Melbourne seat of Dunkley following the death of Labor MP Peta Murphy takes place on Saturday – the first major electoral test of the year.
Two new polls show that despite the changes to tax cuts – which will be passed by parliament this week – the government has suffered a dip in the primaries.
The Newspoll for The Australian shows the government has failed to improve its overall position since December.
Barnaby Joyce takes time off just weeks after he was filmed lying intoxicated on a public footpath slurring swear words into his phone
Labor’s primary vote trailed the Coalition by 36 to 33 percent, although the government maintained a four-point lead on the two-party preferential voting system, 52 to 48 percent, two points higher than in February polls.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said she knew the by-election would be tough but remained confident Labor candidate Jodie Belyea would sway voters.
“Midterm elections are tough and that’s why our candidate talks to voters every day about what’s important to them – and that’s the cost of living,” she said.
National frontbencher Barnaby Joyce declared that the high cost of living was ‘absolutely killing people’, arguing that recent border protection scandals would dampen Labour’s chances.
“(Voters) can’t afford what’s happening at the checkout, and they certainly can’t afford their energy prices,” he said.
‘Let’s see what the PvdA can do. They don’t deserve to win. Let’s put it this way: Let’s see what happens.’
The Newspoll results also showed Albanese gaining one point as ‘better prime minister’, from 46 to 47 percent, while Dutton remained steady at 35 percent. Another 18 percent were not committed.
Opinion polls conducted by the Resolve Political Monitor for the Nine newspapers showed that primary votes for Labor have fallen by one point since December from 35 to 34 percent, while the Coalition gained ground from 34 percent to 37 percent.
While Albanese was still seven points ahead of Dutton (39 to 32 percent) as preferred prime minister, the margin was also the lowest since Labor returned to power.