Ministerial sex ban after ‘shocking’ affair
AUSTRALIA’S prime minister imposed a formal ban on sex between ministers and their staff yesterday after his deputy made “a shocking error of judgment” by having an affair that left an aide pregnant and the government reeling.
Malcolm Turnbull announced the amendment to the ministerial code of conduct at an extraordinary news conference during which he slammed deputy Barnaby Joyce for causing “terrible hurt and humiliation” to his wife and four children.
“Barnaby made a shocking error of judgment in having an affair with a young woman working in his office. In doing so, he has set off a world of woe for those women and appalled all of us.
“Our hearts go out to them. It has been a dreadful thing for them to go through in the glare of publicity.”
Joyce, 50, has been under immense pressure since his affair with former media adviser Vikki Campion, 33, who is now pregnant with their child, became public last week.
It has led to allegations that he breached ministerial rules, with the crisis dominating the front pages and parliament question time, with calls mounting for him to resign.
Joyce, whose National Party is in a coalition with the prime minister’s Liberals, will take leave next week, allowing him to side-step the role of acting leader while Turnbull is on a visit to the United States.
Turnbull departs for Washington on Wednesday for meetings with US President Donald Trump and is set to be overseas for four days.
Senate leader Mathias Cormann will step in to the position.
Turnbull said the break would allow Joyce to consider his own position.
The prime minister could sack him, but that risks fracturing the ruling coalition and could cause a rift between the Liberal and National parties.
Joyce admitted to the affair after a picture of his pregnant lover was splashed across the front page of the Sydney Daily Telegraph, and has publicly apologised to his shattered wife of 24 years, Natalie.
Turnbull said times had changed and people expected politicians to set an example. – AFP