JOYCE GOES OUT ANGRY

AS much as he grumbled about doing it, Barnaby Joyce finally resigned as deputy prime minister yesterday after more than two weeks of upheaval sparked by revelations he and a former staffer were expecting a baby.

It did not mean however that he thought it was the proper thing to do. That is what will stick in the craw of the Australian public, which has watched in disbelief as the saga surrounding the embattled MP has degenerated into farce.

Instead of stepping down with grace, Mr Joyce went out angry, declaring no evidence of wrongdoing and regretting the impact on the National Party and on his family and his pregnant partner.

Some of what Mr Joyce had to say in his parting words as party leader and deputy Coalition leader was correct – that the role had been an “incredible privilege’’ for him; that his party had an important task in looking out for the rights and needs of battlers in the bush; that there should be clear air. But it was also clear he just did not get the fact that he had to go, even though he was quitting.

He declared the furore surrounding his relationship and a list of allegations had to stop. Certainly this was the case especially for his estranged wife and daughters, and for his partner, Vikki Campion. But for a man in public life who played hard ball?

Mr Joyce believes he still has much to offer. That may prove to be the case, but yesterday he stumbled at the first hurdle – a public show of contrition, given he has been the architect of much of the turmoil.

The Gold Coast has long been a conservative region. The Nationals side of the LNP has been strong here, especially in state politics. Last week, when everyone was surprised Mr Joyce opted to dig in after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s strong criticism, local conservatives were falling in behind Mr Turnbull and urging his deputy to go. There is considerable relief today, but there has also been significant damage – for politics and for his family.