Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 4 : 20-Feb-18

The future of National Party leader Barnaby Joyce remains in doubt amid growing calls from within the party for him to stand down and retire to the backbench in the wake of his affair with a former staffer. The party’s federal executive discussed the Joyce situation via a conference call on 19 February, although they did not make a decision on his future. Veterans’ Affairs Minister Michael McCormack, who is seen as the leading contender to replace Joyce, has told Sky News that Joyce will remain leader while he retains the support of the party room. However, he downplayed suggestions of a leadership challenge.

CORPORATES
NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIAN GREENS