Nationals warned of an ‘avalanche of allegations’ against Barnaby Joyce
AUSTRALIA: Nationals officials were warned of an impending ‘‘avalanche of allegations’’ about Barnaby Joyce, and were expecting so many women to complain that some MPs considered asking a former governor to hold an inquiry.
New documents obtained by Fairfax Media show that former Western Australia Nationals leader Terry Redman delivered the warning days before a formal complaint against Joyce was actually lodged, forcing the former deputy prime minister’s resignation from cabinet.
Catherine Marriott, the woman who made the confidential complaint over an alleged incident involving Joyce outside a Canberra hotel in 2016, blasted the Nationals for mismanaging the investigation.
The former WA Rural Woman of the Year claimed the review had been used for ‘‘political advantage’’, had brought her integrity into question, and could stop other women coming forward.
The WA Nationals’ handling of the complaint has become the subject of fierce disagreement within the party. Some members believe the complaint was used to bring down Joyce after news of his affair with former staffer Vikki Campion triggered weeks of damaging headlines. Mismanagement of the complaint also led to Marriott’s name being published by newspapers just days after it was lodged.
In a secret review examining how Marriott’s identity was leaked to the media, WA Nationals state president James Haywood outlines a series of previously unknown phone calls and text messages between party officials, MPs and Joyce himself.
In one part of the report, Haywood recounts how Redman told him by phone on February 17 that a flood of claims was expected to be made by a group of regional women against the embattled federal leader.
‘‘Terry told me there would be an avalanche of allegations made from this group against Barnaby and that there were as many as 10 complaints which ranged from inappropriate behaviour to more serious allegations,’’ Haywood wrote.
He went on to question a statement from Redman, a serving MP, that he would stand by the group of women if the allegations went public. ‘‘It seems to me that our politicians should not be taking sides in what is a potential legal matter between parties or a dispute in facts about what may or may not have happened.’’
Fairfax Media revealed on Wednesday that Haywood’s review also criticised the role of WA Nationals leader Mia Davies – a friend of Marriott’s – in Joyce’s downfall.
According to the new documents, Haywood was told that Davies, Redman and fellow WA MP Jacqui Boydell suggested that former state governor and barrister Malcolm McCusker ‘‘lead an enquiry [sic] and to facilitate all of the allegations this group wanted to make against Barnaby’’.
The idea, which was raised a week before Joyce resigned, never eventuated. Marriott’s complaint is now being investigated by the executive of the party’s New South Wales branch.
The substance of the allegations is not known. Haywood said he had asked whether Joyce’s alleged behaviour was criminal but was told ‘‘it was probably more of a serious claim of inappropriate behaviour’’. Several sentences discussing the complaint have been redacted.
Joyce has previously denied the allegations, and on Wednesday described the suggestion of 10 potential complainants as ‘‘patently absurd’’.
‘‘These allegations are spurious and defamatory,’’ he toldFairfax Media.
‘‘Allegations of any wrongdoing should be immediately referred to the police so that the veracity of the claim can be properly tested.’’
The full review by Haywood shows serious discontent over the conduct of Davies, who is now clinging to her job in the aftermath of her handling of the episode and, critically, her public demand for Joyce to resign. – Fairfax