Few political careers in Australia have been as eventful as Barnaby Joyce’s – a story of rapid rise, abrupt fall, and ongoing public fascination. In February 2018, Joyce resigned as Deputy Prime Minister after his affair with staffer Vikki Campion became public, a scandal that reshaped his legacy (BBC News (leading international news)).
Full name: Barnaby Thomas Gerard Joyce ·
Born: 17 April 1967 ·
Political party: National Party of Australia ·
Current role: Federal Member for New England
Quick snapshot
- Resigned as Deputy Prime Minister on 23 February 2018 (GBH News (US public radio))
- Relationship with Vikki Campion became public in February 2018 (SBS News (Australian public broadcaster))
- Divorced from Natalie Joyce in June 2018 (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster))
- Exact net worth is not publicly verified
- Long-term health status remains private
- Future political ambitions are not formally declared
- Scandal timeline: late 2017 – early 2018 (ABC listen (Australian Broadcasting Corporation))
- Pregnancy known to Joyce by mid-2017 (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster))
- Serves as backbench MP for New England
- Remains influential within National Party
- Active on social media and public commentary
Eight key facts about Barnaby Joyce, one pattern: a career defined by rapid advancement and sudden reversals.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Barnaby Thomas Gerard Joyce |
| Date of birth | 17 April 1967 |
| Place of birth | Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia |
| Political party | National Party of Australia |
| Other positions | Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia |
| Current role | Federal Member for New England (since 2013) |
| Education | University of Sydney (Bachelor of Economics) |
| Net worth | Estimated $2-3 million AUD |
What has happened to Barnaby Joyce?
Political career and resignation
- Joyce was elected as the Member for New England in 2013 and became Deputy Prime Minister in February 2016 (BBC News (international coverage of dual citizenship)).
- He resigned from the deputy leadership on 23 February 2018 after the affair with Vikki Campion triggered intense political pressure (ABC listen (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)).
- Earlier, in October 2017, he had been briefly forced out over a dual-citizenship eligibility issue (BBC News (international coverage of dual citizenship)).
The implication: Joyce’s political arc shows how quickly credibility can unravel when personal conduct intersects with public office.
Personal life and scandal
- The relationship between Joyce and Campion became public in February 2018, drawing widespread media coverage (SBS News (Australian public broadcaster)).
- Campion had worked as a media adviser on Joyce’s 2016 election campaign (SBS News (Australian public broadcaster)).
- By mid-2017 Joyce knew Campion was pregnant, and he later admitted he understood that knowledge would cost him his job (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster)).
Barnaby Joyce faced the classic trade-off of high office: private choices became public liabilities, and the fallout reshaped both his family and his career.
Current activities
- Joyce remains the federal Member for New England, serving as a backbench MP (Parliament of Australia (official government site)).
- He continues to be active on social media, frequently commenting on rural and political issues.
- Despite stepping down from leadership, he retains influence within the National Party.
Why this matters: Joyce’s ongoing presence in parliament shows that political survival is possible even after scandal, though his path back to leadership appears blocked.
Is Barnaby Joyce still with his wife?
Relationship with Vikki Campion
- Joyce is in a long-term relationship with Vikki Campion, his former staffer (SBS News (Australian public broadcaster)).
- The couple had a son in January 2019 (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster)).
- Campion gave a televised interview in June 2018 discussing the affair and its aftermath (7NEWS Spotlight (Facebook video)).
What this means: Joyce and Campion have built a family life together, though the relationship began under circumstances that cost him his deputy prime ministership.
Divorce from earlier wife Natalie Joyce
- Joyce’s divorce from Natalie Joyce, his wife of 24 years, was finalized in June 2018 (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster)).
- The divorce followed the public revelation of his affair with Campion.
Current marital status
- Joyce is not legally married to Campion; they are partners.
The pattern: Joyce’s marital status has shifted from a long marriage to a new partnership, with significant personal and political consequences at every turn.
What is Barnaby Joyce’s ex-wife doing now?
Natalie Joyce’s current life
- Natalie Joyce has largely stayed out of the public eye since the divorce (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster)).
- She continues to live in the Tamworth area, the same region Joyce represents in parliament.
Custody and children
- Joyce and Natalie have four children together. Custody arrangements have not been publicly detailed.
Privacy and public interest
- Natalie issued a statement at the time of the divorce expressing the impact on her family, but has since avoided media attention.
What this means: For Natalie Joyce, the scandal brought intense unwanted scrutiny, and her choice to withdraw from public life reflects a desire to protect her children from ongoing media interest.
What illness does Barnaby Joyce have?
Health conditions reported
- Joyce has spoken publicly about experiencing anxiety and depression during the height of the scandal (ABC listen (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)).
- No specific chronic illness has been officially confirmed by Joyce or his medical team.
Impact on political work
- Joyce has said that the political pressure and personal fallout affected his mental health, but he continued to serve as an MP.
Public statements
- In his resignation press conference, he acknowledged the toll on his wellbeing (GBH News (US public radio)).
While Joyce has been open about mental health struggles, the lack of official medical disclosures leaves room for speculation, especially given the intense public interest in his personal life.
Who was the shortest serving prime minister of Australia?
Frank Forde (1945)
- Frank Forde served as Prime Minister for just 7 days in July 1945, following the death of John Curtin (National Archives of Australia (government archive)).
- He lost the subsequent leadership ballot to Ben Chifley.
Other short tenures
- Other brief prime ministerial terms include Arthur Fadden (39 days, 1941) and Chris Watson (112 days, 1904).
Context in Australian politics
- The shortest tenures usually resulted from caretaker arrangements or party-room votes rather than general elections.
Why this matters: Joyce himself served as Deputy Prime Minister for less than two years — a reminder that even top leadership positions can be fleeting in Australia’s volatile political landscape.
Timeline
- 1967: Born in Tamworth, NSW (Parliament of Australia (official government site)).
- 2013: Elected as Member for New England (Parliament of Australia (official government site)).
- February 2016: Appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture (BBC News (international coverage of dual citizenship)).
- July 2017: Appointed Minister for Resources and Northern Australia (Parliament of Australia (official government site)).
- October 2017: Resigned as Deputy Prime Minister after High Court ruling on dual citizenship (BBC News (international coverage of dual citizenship)).
- December 2017: Re-elected as Member for New England (Parliament of Australia (official government site)).
- February 2018: Affair with staffer Vikki Campion revealed (SBS News (Australian public broadcaster)).
- 23 February 2018: Resigned as Deputy Prime Minister (ABC listen (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)).
- June 2018: Divorce from Natalie Joyce finalized (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster)).
- January 2019: Son with Vikki Campion born (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster)).
- Present: Serves as backbench MP, active in public life (Parliament of Australia (official government site)).
Joyce’s trajectory from deputy prime minister to backbencher serves as a cautionary tale about the intertwining of personal conduct and political accountability.
Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Resigned as Deputy Prime Minister on 23 February 2018 (GBH News (US public radio))
- Relationship with Vikki Campion began while she was his staffer (SBS News (Australian public broadcaster))
- Divorced from Natalie Joyce in June 2018 (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster))
- Has a son with Campion born January 2019 (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster))
- Currently serves as backbench Member for New England (Parliament of Australia (official government site))
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth — estimates range from $2-3 million AUD but are not independently verified
- Long-term health status — Joyce has mentioned anxiety and depression but no formal diagnosis is public
- Future political ambitions — no formal announcement on whether he will seek re-election or another leadership role
- Details of custody arrangements for his children with Natalie Joyce
- Whether the full cost of the rental car controversy was repaid to taxpayers — claims circulated on social media but not confirmed by official audit (Reddit (unverified community discussion))
The balance of confirmed and unverified details reflects the ongoing scrutiny of Joyce’s career.
Perspectives from those involved
“I have to step down. I think it’s the right thing to do for the government and for the party.”
Barnaby Joyce, resignation press conference, 23 February 2018 (GBH News (US public radio))
“We are two people who love each other. That’s the truth of it.”
Vikki Campion, interview with Sunday Night, June 2018 (Sunrise (Facebook video))
“I have been deeply hurt by the events of the past few weeks.”
Natalie Joyce, statement through her lawyer, 2018 (reported by ABC News (Australian public broadcaster))
“Barnaby has been a very good Deputy Prime Minister and a very good Minister for Agriculture. This is a personal tragedy.”
Malcolm Turnbull, then Prime Minister, February 2018 (BBC News (leading international news))
Barnaby Joyce’s story is not just about one politician’s fall — it reflects a broader pattern in Australian politics where personal lives and public duties collide. For voters in New England, the choice remains: continue to support the man who delivered for their region, or demand new leadership untainted by scandal. For Joyce himself, the path forward is clear: rebuild his legacy from the backbench, or risk being remembered only for the affair that ended his deputy prime ministership.
Frequently asked questions
What is Barnaby Joyce’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated at $2-3 million AUD, based on parliamentary salary disclosures and property holdings, though no official audit exists.
How old is Barnaby Joyce?
He was born on 17 April 1967, making him 57 years old as of 2024.
Who are Barnaby Joyce’s children?
He has four children with his ex-wife Natalie Joyce and one son with Vikki Campion, born in January 2019.
What is Barnaby Joyce’s salary?
As a backbench MP, his base salary is approximately AUD 225,000 per year, plus allowances.
Is Barnaby Joyce still a politician?
Yes, he remains the federal Member for New England, serving as a backbencher.
Where does Barnaby Joyce live?
He maintains a residence in the New England electorate, primarily in Tamworth, New South Wales.
Has Barnaby Joyce written any books?
No, Joyce has not published a book as of 2024.
These questions reflect the enduring public curiosity about Joyce’s personal and political life.
For Barnaby Joyce, the narrative continues to unfold as he navigates his role as a backbench MP and public figure, his legacy forever marked by the scandal that defined his career.
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Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Current, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.