Joyce’s affair caused serious staffing issues

RESOURCES Minister Matt Canavan created a new highsalary job for Barnaby Joyce’s girlfriend as the affair created serious dysfunction in the Deputy Prime Minister’s office.

Vikki Campion, who is now living with Mr Joyce and is pregnant with his child, was given a new role as a senior adviser in Queensland Senator Canavan’s office working on his social and digital media in April last year, even as others in the party became increasingly concerned at the situation.

Mr Canavan, who is a close ally of Mr Joyce, did not have a full-time staff member in this role before Ms Campion’s appointment, nor has he had one since.

There is no suggestion that she did not merit being employed in the new position.

Coalition sources also said Mr Joyce’s former chief of staff Diana Hallam was close with Mr Joyce’s wife Natalie and ultimately quit her job over the Deputy Prime Minister’s refusal to deal with the “inappropriate relationship and the dysfunction it had caused inside the office”.

A spokeswoman for Mr Canavan declined to comment on “employment matters relating to any staff member”.

Ms Campion moved to the office of chief Nationals whip Damian Drum, until the preChristmas reshuffle when she received a severance package after he was promoted.