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Fellow National says Joyce coverage is overblown
Keith Pitt has come to the aid of his Nationals colleague Barnaby Joyce, questioning why the “very minor” incident is under scrutiny.
The member for Hinkler told Sky News on Wednesday he thought the incident was overblown and indicative of the worsening pressure politicians face in the job.
Pitt said:
You are under pressure constantly. You’re under a lot of media scrutiny. That is part of the deal, but I think it’s getting worse. And the idea that we would chase after someone on something, which in my view is very minor, to be honest – you know, why?
This morning the Nationals leader, David Littleproud, revealed he’d asked Joyce to take personal leave after he was filmed last week lying down on a Canberra footpath and swearing profanities into his phone.
Littleproud said he’d “embarrassed himself and he’s embarrassed his family” but suggested the Nationals frontbencher’s behaviour was prompted by undisclosed personal issues.
The incident comes amid speculation Littleproud is considering a reshuffle of his frontbench, which could result in one Nationals member being dropped from the Coalition’s shadow ministry.
Joyce, a former deputy prime minister and twice Nationals leader, is also rumoured to be interested in retaking the party’s top job.
When asked about the speculation by Sky News, Pitt dismissed it.
Every single MP I know here and every senator, everyone wants more responsibility. Anyone says they don’t, well they’re not telling the truth ... [but] that’s not a decision that’s on the table. We’re in the midst of opposition. We’re in the midst of a byelection.
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