Channel 7 releases second Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion video following backlash
After Channel 7’s exclusive interview with Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion aired on Sunday night, the network received an immediate wave of backlash.
Interviewer Alex Cullen was scrutinised for not asking the pair questions about whether they had misused funds from the public for travel and whether Mr Joyce had helped Ms Campion receive a lucrative job with the National Party.
Seven Network responded to the criticism by posting a part two of the controversial tell-all.
Retweeting the second video, Cullen wrote: “For those who asked."
Before releasing the second video, Cullen had justified the decision to focus the TV interview on the couple’s relationship and their newborn son, Sebastian.
Cullen said the former deputy Prime Minister had denied any wrongdoing and so there was “nothing new” to contribute to the interview.
I’d like to make it clear that q’s about Joyce’s alleged tax-payer funded travel rorts and claims of sexual misconduct were asked in our @sundaynighton7 I/V. The response to these q’s was the same as we’ve heard time and time again. Vehemently denied hence nothing new. #Auspol
— Alex Cullen (@alextcullen) June 4, 2018
But Channel 7 decided to release the extra footage last night, which showed Mr Joyce responding to the misused funds allegations and Ms Campion claiming she is owed money for her work in Parliament.
In the newly released footage, Ms Campion shared with Cullen some of the insults that were thrown at her when it was first reported that she was pregnant.
“I’m a rent-a-root,” Ms Campion said, gesturing with air quotes to share what she had read on social media written about herself.
"Yeah,” Mr Joyce replied with an awkward laugh.
.@Barnaby_Joyce says he's not worried about the political consequences of a paid interview on Seven's @sundaynighton7. @Riley7News #auspol #7News pic.twitter.com/WPhI1my92U
— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) June 4, 2018
The politician also responded to allegations the couple had misused funds from the public to take several trips.
“They have investigated this to death,” Mr Joyce said, claiming he has been questioned by the Parliamentary Expenses Authority.
“I’ve had like 160 inquiries and at this point not one, not one, has come up saying, ‘Oh, this is a problem’.”
Ms Campion revealed that she is also having her expenses investigated.
“They have found that they actually owe me money,” she said.
Reports have suggested that Ms Campion’s high-paying jobs were created to move her out of Mr Joyce’s office when the affair started.
However, Ms Campion claimed she took a pay cut to work with the Nationals after working with the NSW government.
“I actually took a big pay cut. My wage actually dropped significantly,” she said.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull denied the couple’s allegations that they had been told by members of parliament to get an abortion.
“I’m not aware of anybody doing that to anyone,” Mr Turnbull said.
Last night’s episode of Q&A addressed the controversial interview with former Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie revealing she was worried about Mr Joyce’s health.
“Look, I’m going to be very brutally honest and I have been about this all the way through. This is beyond a midlife crisis. This is not the Barnaby Joyce I know. I am concerned about his mental welfare. I’m not going to sit here and kick them while he’s down and out. My heart is going out to him and both of them,” she said.
“But if you can’t keep it in your pants you’re going to pay the price. It’s as simple as that and he’s now paying the price for that.”