A Goulburn National Party member of more than 50 years says Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has “done the right thing” in stepping down.
District grazier Tony Morrison was speaking about Mr Joyce’s decision this afternoon to resign from the role and as leader of The Nationals, following fallout from his affair with staffer, Vikki Campion. It also came after allegations of harassment by a West Australian woman, which Mr Joyce has vehemently denied.
The party’s Goulburn branch secretary Tony Morrison said the Deputy PM’s resignation was “inevitable.”
“It’s put the whole party in an embarrassing situation and I think it was poor on his part not to consider the ramifications of the relationship (with Ms Campion) and that in itself was enough to resign his position and go to the backbench,” he said.
“It makes the business of the party more difficult when his reputation is under a cloud.”
Mr Morrison said the party had been free of such controversy up until now. This was a new experience and the sooner it was cleared up, the sooner The Nationals could “get back to business.”
Asked whether Mr Joyce’s private life should have been publicised to the extent it was, Mr Morrison said a relationship with a staff member was bound to have public ramifications.
“It’s horrible that he’s deserted his wife and four children. You just can’t do that in public life anymore,” he said.
But he did not believe the controversy had damaged the party.
Mr Morrison argued there was “good blood” in the federal Nationals and any of the tipped successors, including Matt Canavan, Michael McCormack, would make worthy leaders.
The Goulburn Post has requested comments from Federal Hume MP Angus Taylor on Mr Joyce’s resignation.