Barnaby Joyce wedding: Ex-nationalist leader marries his former mistress Vikki Campion in ‘bush bash’ wedding at politician’s family farm – six years after their scandalous affair was exposed
Barnaby Joyce, 56, is tying the knot with his former political adviser Vikki Campion, 38, in an outdoor wedding at his sprawling estate – almost six years after their scandalous affair came to light.
The happy couple hosted a pink and ivory themed party at the politician’s family farm at Woolbrook, west of Walcha, in the NSW Northern Tablelands, on Sunday afternoon.
What was supposed to be a quiet barbecue for a dozen guests turned into a party for more than 80 of their closest friends, with a dance floor ordered for a shed on the property.
The couple’s young sons, Sebastian and Thomas, aged five and four, were seen outside the venue earlier that morning, ready for their roles as page boys.
Joyce himself jumped out of a Toyota Landcruiser on the grounds ahead of the ceremony, before guests – including former National MP George Christensen – arrived in a four-wheel drive convoy.
Hours later, the newlyweds beamed as they walked together hand in hand to greet their guests – wearing his and hers Akubra hats.
A new gold wedding ring could be seen on Joyce’s hand.
Barnaby Joyce, 56, married his former political adviser Vikki Campion, 38 (pictured)
Vikki Campion wore a strapless cream dress with black cowboy style boots (pictured)
Vikki Campion smoked a cigarette with guests at her own wedding reception on Sunday (photo)
Vikki Campion is pictured with guests at her wedding reception on Sunday, with a drink and cigarette in hand
Pictured: Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion, talking to one of their two sons at their wedding on Sunday
Mrs Campion wore a strapless cream dress with gold earrings and black heeled cowboy boots as she walked next to her new husband after the ceremony with a glass of champagne, smiling broadly at her guests.
She barely let go of her new husband’s hand as she greeted guests at the reception.
Joyce opted for light brown trousers with a brown belt and shoes, paired with a white shirt, a navy blue blazer and a tie. On his lapel was a pink and green boutonniere.
Vehicles were parked around a white aisle separating the rows of white seats. One portable toilet was visible on the 4WD trailer.
Although the wedding was a family affair, not all members of the Joyce clan were expected to attend.
It is not clear which of his four daughters, Julia, Caroline, Odette and Bridgette, agreed to take part in the festivities.
However, it was unlikely to be Odette, who once posted a photo of her mother and siblings Instagram with the caption: ‘The real Joyce family #whosbarnaby’.
On Saturday night, the night before her father’s wedding, she used Instagram to share a photo from a friend’s birthday in the Sydney suburb of Manly, about five hours south of Walcha.
Some guests sat out of the sun, under a camping-style gazebo (pictured)
The bride greeted guests at the reception after the ceremony on Sunday (pictured). Former National MP George Christensen is pictured left with his daughter
Before the ceremony, guests could be seen standing in the shade. One portable toilet was attached to the rear of one vehicle (photo)
Pictured: guests at Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion’s wedding on Sunday afternoon
One guest walked out of his car on Sunday afternoon with more seating options
Former MP George Christensen arrived at the wedding, with his wife and daughter (pictured)
The girls’ mother, Natalie Joyce, is said to have been blindsided by her then-husband’s affair, news of which emerged in February 2018 when Mrs Campion was two months away from giving birth to Sebastian.
When his affair came to light, Joyce resigned as deputy prime minister and leader of the Nationals.
Then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull blasted Joyce for what he called a “shocking error of judgement.”
It led to Turnbull introducing a so-called ‘bonking ban’ for coalition MPs to prevent them having sex with their ministerial staff.
When the couple announced their engagement in January 2022, Mr Joyce said his family’s reaction was as “one expected” and that not everyone was happy.
“Some are happy and some are understandably not so happy,” Joyce said at the time.
He proposed with a parti sapphire ring, a stone popular in his northern NSW electorate of New England.
“Instead of getting down on one knee (to propose), I ended up getting down on two.” “I was saying my prayers,” he said.
Ms Campion said yes, but the wedding was postponed due to the pandemic.
Her father Peter Campion previously told Daily Mail Australia that the wedding was expected to be “a return of Barnaby to his country’s roots.”
Peter Campion was surprised that one of Barnaby’s adult daughters (above with their mother Natalie, Julia, Caroline, Odette and Bridgette) would come to his daughter Vikki’s wedding to the ex-deputy prime minister
Guests were encouraged to arrive in utes or 4WDs, roll out their swags and party long into the night.
He said that in addition to the country dancing predicted in a report, he also expected there to be more conservative “sedate waltzing,” but “I’m not that good of a dancer and I’ve had a knee reconstruction so I won . ‘no boat scootering’.
Mr Campion said he now regards Joyce as “a good guy” and “one of the better” among politicians in Canberra.
The noted Conservative said it was misreporting in the media about his daughter’s relationship that initially turned him against Joyce, but his daughter had assured him her relationship with the MP had begun months after his marriage ended.
Mr Campion will give a speech as father of the bride and may be dressed in, he says, “steel-capped boots and a ‘Make Australia Great Again’ cap.”
When asked what he will say about his daughter, he replied: “I’m here to ruffle feathers. some hard truths about modern society dominated by the lunatic left.
“Well, I only have twenty minutes. It’s a rare opportunity to drop some truth bombs.’