MEMBER for Mallee Andrew Broad has refused to comment on the ongoing controversy surrounding National Party leader Barnaby Joyce, but his Twitter feed suggests he may be one of the growing group of Nationals MPs questioning Mr Joyce’s future in the party.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has been the subject of intense media scrutiny since it emerged his mistress and former media adviser Vikki Campion is pregnant with his child.
Mr Joyce has faced mounting pressure throughout the week to stand down from his position as leader of the Nationals, but has so far refused to back down.
Since the story of his affair first broke the Nationals leader has been subject to a steady stream of revelations, concerning Ms Campion’s employment, his rent-free living arrangement provided by a millionaire business man and questions around his use of taxpayer funds.
Mr Broad had previously refused to comment on the controversy surrounding Mr Joyce, telling The Guardian he did not “get the best outcomes for the people of the Mallee by commenting on people’s personal lives”.
Despite refusing to enter into the debate, Mr Broad retweeted a tweet on Tuesday afternoon which suggested he should take Mr Joyce’s place as the leader of the National Party.
A number of other National Party MPs threw their hats in the ring for the leadership position on Tuesday afternoon.
New South Wales MP Michael McCormack has been tipped as the favourite to replace Mr Joyce.
Former National Party leader Warren Truss featured on ABC’s 7.30 on Tuesday evening to tell viewers the matter needed to be resolved quickly in the interests of the party.
The National Party held a party room meeting on Monday morning amid swirling rumours Mr Joyce’s position as party leader may be less than concrete.
New South Wales Nationals MP, John ‘Wacka’ Williams told the ABC on February 12 while he wasn’t sure Mr Joyce had “done anything wrong by the law of the taxpayers”, he couldn’t say whether Mr Joyce would be the one to lead the party to the next election.
Tuesday morning saw Mr Joyce once again refuting new allegations – this time concerning inappropriate behaviour at an event in 2011.
The morning also came with calls from both sides of politics for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to reconsider Mr Joyce’s upcoming stint as acting PM.Mr Joyce is currently expected to step into the role next week when Mr Turnbull heads to the US.
Mr Broad did not respond to a request for comment on the rumours Barnaby Joyce’s position as National Party leader may be under threat.
