Barnaby Joyce announces baby no. 2 with Vikki Campion: "I'm really happy – it's a great blessing"
Barnaby Joyce and his partner Vikki Campion are expecting their second child together.
The former Nationals leader and ex-campaign staffer are due to have their second son in June.
“We are actually having another child, called Tom, so there you go,” Mr Joyce said to Channel 7 cameras on Sunday afternoon.
He apologised for his partner's lack of attendance at a fundraiser event before revealing the family’s new “great blessing”.
An anonymous close friend also confirmed to The Sunday Mail, “Another boy is due in June this year. The name is already picked out — Thomas, after Barney’s grandfather."
The friend added, “They plan to include (the name) Timothy, Barney’s youngest brother who sadly died last June after a brave battle with lung cancer. Tim was only 42 and has a gorgeous wife and three young children. His death really rocked Barney (as he is known to family and friends),” the friend said.
Nationals leader Michael McCormack congratulated the couple this morning.
“Congratulations to Barnaby and Vikki, I’ve messaged him this morning to say congratulations,” he said.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten also sent well wishes and congratulations saying to reporters in Queensland on Sunday: “Whenever a child is born it is good news.”
The new pregnancy is the latest chapter to unravel in a saga that revealed Joyce was having an affair with his then-campaign staffer, Vikki Campion, last year.
After the revelations surfaced last February, he resigned as deputy prime minister and National leader.
Barnaby has four daughter with ex-wife Natalie – Bridgette, 21, Julia, 20, Caroline, 19, and Odette, 16.