Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Mike Kelly has hit out at the hypocrisy of Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce following the public revelations of his affair with his former staffer Vikki Campion.
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Dr Kelly said that he would usually stay out of the personal lives of other politicians, but said Mr Joyce’s actions threatened the integrity of government.
“In my view it’s none of my business what he does in private, but this flows into issues of conflict of interest and administrative concerns,” he said.
Dr Kelly said the relationship was a matter of public concern because Ms Campion was a parliamentary staffer.
Ms Campion left Mr Joyce’s office in April last year while the affair was ongoing to work for Resources Minister Matt Canavan.
Mr Canavan confirmed in the Senate that Ms Campion was only person he interviewed for the role.
“These sort of arrangements send a negative signal and raise issues of propriety of power,” Dr Kelly said.
“We need to be careful that no-one is harassed or leaned on in these circumstances.”
Dr Kelly added that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s announcement banning sexual relationships between ministers and their staff needed to be followed up with action.
”It is frustrating that he has laid down these standards but hasn’t taken any action to discipline the behaviour,” he said.
READ MORE: PM has not asked Joyce to resign
“What grates me is the hypocrisy of politicians who champion Catholic and family values for political purposes but don’t hold themselves to the same standards.”
Dr Kelly said juggling personal and public life as a politician is challenging, especially while managing an electorate as large as Eden-Monaro.
On Friday, he was accompanied by wife Shelly Sakker Kelly on his visit to Bega.
Dr Kelly often travels independently, but said his previous career in the army prepared his family for long stints apart.
“We were in situations where we couldn’t make any contact for up to a year at a time, so my political duties sort of pale in comparison,” he said.
“I am fortunate that Shelly is able to join me on some of these trips, but I do make an effort to keep my family out of the spotlight,” Dr Kelly said.
Dr Kelly will hold a stall at the Bega Show on Saturday, February 17 to liaise with constituents.