A REDLAND City Bulletin internet poll has found that 80 per cent of respondents think Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce should resign from his post.
Mr Joyce, who has taken a week’s leave, is under pressure to go after having a relationship with staff member Vicki Campion who fell pregnant.
It has prompted a public brawl between he and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over the latter’s censuring of his married deputy’s behavior.
Mr Turnbull was supported by Bowman MP Andrew Laming who also called for Mr Turnbull’s ban on sexual relationships between ministers and staff to be extended to all MPs and parliamentary staff.
Mr Laming said the PM had made a powerful statement in acknowledging the hurt that had been visited on the Joyce family as a result of Mr Joyce’s actions.
Mr Joyce also had brought scrutiny upon his new partner.
“I agree with the PM on his assessment and understand the community will have a range of views,” Mr Laming said.
“(Mr Joyce) has been an effective MP, minister and deputy prime minister and I continue to support him.
“In the end, his future is decided by voters each election. That will happen in the next year or so.
“I have spoken to Barnaby every day (last) week and offered him and his family all my support.
“I contacted the prime minister to support his ban on ministerial relationships but asked him to consider extending that rule to all MPs and parliamentary staff.
“There is no place for intimate relationships in the workplace where a power asymmetry exists.
“The truest guide should be the worst-case scenario – if a failed relationship can potentially affect the employment of the junior person, then it’s not on.”
Mr Joyce has attacked Mr Turnbull for his comments about his personal life, saying they were inept, unnecessary and caused further harm.
The relationship between the Nationals’ leader and his Liberal counterpart seems to have deteriorated, with Mr Joyce also telling Mr Turnbull to butt out of his party’s internal politics, referring to Mr Turnbull’s comments that his deputy “had a lot to reflect on” in regards to his position as Deputy Prime Minister.
Mr Joyce said the Prime Minister’s comments just “pulled the scab off, for everybody to have a look at”.
Mr Joyce also took another shot at Mr Turnbull’s “implied comments” about his leadership.
“There is nothing we dislike more than implied intervention into the party process of the National Party,” Mr Joyce said.
“We are our own independent political unit, we make our own decisions, especially around those who are the office holders.
“Fair from assisting, it always locks people in, as they lock in behind the leader.”
On Thursday, Mr Turnbull deflected questions about whether his deputy should resign, saying “he has to consider his own position”.
He made the comments while announcing a ban on ministers and their staffers engaging in sexual relationships.
Mr Turnbull said Mr Joyce had inflicted terrible hurt and humiliation on his wife Natalie, and his daughters, and his new partner.
“Barnaby made a shocking error of judgement in having an affair with a young woman working in his office,” Mr Turnbull said. “In doing so, he has set off a world off 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.”
About 200 people took part in the RCB poll which is not scientific but rather refects the views of those wishing to take part.
