Barnaby Joyce, an Australian politician, held leadership positions within the National Party of Australia, serving as its leader from 2016 to 2018 and then again from 2021 to 2022. In his capacity as the 17th deputy prime minister of Australia, Joyce fulfilled this role during both leadership tenures, collaborating with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull from 2016 to 2018 and later with Prime Minister Scott Morrison from 2021 to 2022.
Bio/Wiki
Age-56 years
Height-1.85 m
Full name-Barnaby Thomas Gerard Joyce
Born-17 April 1967
Birth place-Tamworth, Australia
Spouse-Natalie Joyce (m. 1993)
Partner- Vikki Campion
Children- Bridgette Joyce, Odette Joyce, Julia Joyce, Caroline Joyce
Profession-Member of the Australian House of Representatives
Nationality-Australian, New Zealand
Office-Member of the Australian House of Representatives since 2013
Family
Barnaby Joyce is the son of Marie (née Roche) and James Joyce, both engaged in farming activities. His father, a veteran of World War II, originally hailing from New Zealand, relocated to Australia in 1947. Growing up on a sheep and cattle property approximately 60 kilometers north-east in Danglemah near Woolbrook, Joyce was raised as one of six children. His paternal grandfather, John P. Joyce, had a distinguished military career and took part in the Gallipoli Campaign of World War I, including the landing at Anzac Cove.
Wife
Barnaby Joyce met Natalie Abberfield during their university days, and they tied the knot in 1993. The couple welcomed four daughters into their family: Julia, Caroline, Odette, and Bridgette.
However, in December 2017, Joyce publicly disclosed the separation from his wife following an extramarital affair with political staffer Vikki Campion.
By February 2018, reports emerged confirming that Joyce and his former staffer Vikki Campion were anticipating the birth of a son in April.
Education
Barnaby Joyce enrolled at Woolbrook Public School, pursued his education as a boarder at Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview in Sydney, and successfully earned a Bachelor of Financial Administration from the University of New England (UNE) Armidale in 1989.
Career
Born in Tamworth, New South Wales, Joyce is a University of New England graduate. In 1999, he established an accountancy practice in St George, Queensland. Holding the title of Fellow at CPA Australia, he demonstrated his commitment to professional excellence. Additionally, from 1996 to 2001, Joyce contributed to the Royal Queensland Regiment of the Australian Army Reserve.His political journey began when he was elected to the Australian Senate in the 2004 federal election, officially assuming office in 2005. Progressing within the National Party, he became the party’s Senate leader in 2008.
Transitioning to the House of Representatives, Joyce secured the rural seat of New England in New South Wales during the 2013 election. Throughout his career, he took on various ministerial roles, including Minister for Agriculture (2013–2015), Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources (2015–2017), Minister for Resources and Northern Australia (2017), and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport (2017–2018) in the Abbott and Turnbull governments.
During the 2017–18 Australian parliamentary eligibility crisis, it was revealed that Joyce held dual citizenship with New Zealand, violating Section 44 of the Constitution of Australia. The High Court of Australia ruled him ineligible for the 2016 election. However, he successfully re-entered parliament in December 2017 after winning the New England by-election. In February 2018, he resigned from ministerial and leadership roles due to a disclosed relationship with a former staffer.
Joyce made a political comeback in June 2021, defeating Michael McCormack in a leadership spill to reclaim the position of deputy prime minister. Following the coalition’s defeat in the 2022 federal election, Joyce stepped down as leader of the National Party, succeeded by David Littleproud. He currently serves as the Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs.
Joyce holds anti-abortion views, actively opposing a 2018 bill for “safe zones” around abortion clinics in NSW. He also expressed opposition to same-sex marriage and spoke against it at rallies in Canberra. In 2015, he called for a national debate on capital punishment, despite his personal opposition to the death penalty.
In September 2015, he advocated for accepting more Syrian refugees amid the humanitarian crisis. Following the birth of his son in 2018, Joyce pushed for changes allowing MPs to hire family members, a proposal he reiterated in December 2018. He controversially suggested schools should be allowed to deny enrollment to transgender students in the same month. Despite opposing the burqa ban, Joyce has been known for championing populist causes, including supporting a single-desk wheat export system and advocating for drought assistance, trade practice amendments, and media reform regulations.
Barnaby Joyce, sexual harassment claims
The Nationals faced a formal complaint accusing Joyce of sexual harassment from a woman in Western Australia. Joyce’s spokesperson dismissed the complaint as “spurious and defamatory.” On February 23, Joyce declared his formal resignation as leader of the National Party, revealing his intention to step down from ministerial roles and transition to the backbench by February 26. This decision meant forfeiting his Deputy Prime Minister’s and ministerial salaries, amounting to $416,000 annually, in exchange for a backbencher’s salary of approximately $200,000.
During his resignation, Regional Development Minister John McVeigh assumed the role of Acting Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Following a leadership ballot within the National Party, Michael McCormack emerged as the new party leader and deputy prime minister. In September 2018, it was disclosed that the National Party’s eight-month investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against Joyce could not reach a conclusive determination, and the report would remain confidential.
Net Worth 2023
Barnaby Joyce’s estimated net worth is approximately $15 million, primarily derived from his successful career in politics.
Latest News about Barnaby Joyce
Barnaby Joyce weds ex-staffer Vikki Campion in a New England Ceremony
Former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has recently celebrated his marriage to ex-staffer Vikki Campion on their New England property, surrounded by a “bush bash” guest list that included Senator Matt Canavan, former conservative politician George Christensen, and Tamworth mayor Russell Webb on November 12. The guests drove across the couple’s farm in utes to reach the leafy paddock where the intimate outdoor ceremony took place.
During the vows, Ms. Campion expressed her admiration for her new husband, emphasizing his qualities as a wonderful family man and expressing her love for their life on the farm. She radiated in a flowing strapless gown paired with long, brown cowboy boots and one of Mr. Joyce’s signature Akubra hats. Mr. Joyce donned tan chinos, a white button-down shirt, and a navy coat. Their two young children, Sebastian (5) and Thomas (4), matched their father’s attire in their page boy outfits.
The reception, attended by more than 80 guests, was held near their Woolbrook property in the picturesque rolling green hills of NSW’s north, at the historic Woolbrook Arts Hall.
