The 56-year-old New England MP has not yet decided whether to take time off,as his critics within the Nationals rebuke him about the damage his questionable behaviour does to the Coalition while his allies urge him to hang on.
Joyce’s colleagues have become aware of another important factor – upsetting family news – that may have contributed to his actions last week,which he has also blamed on mixing alcohol with prescription medication after attending two events once the parliamentary sitting day was finished.
Hisfather-in-law told theDaily Mail that Joyce had “some very bad family news” on the day of the incident,explaining that Joyce had lost a brother to cancer and had received similar news which affected him deeply. This masthead is unaware of the nature of the family news.
Joyce has spoken publicly about his mental health struggles in the past.
Joyce is Littleproud’s key enemy in a party perpetually wracked by leadership tensions. Some of Littleproud’s backers want the party leader to use this opportunity to kick Joyce off the frontbench,but it is unclear if Littleproud has the will or political authority to boot the party’s highest profile and arguably most energetic MP.
Joyce’s backers are wary of any moves by Littleproud to take advantage of Joyce’s misadventures to bolster his own political fortunes. They believe Joyce deserves sympathy,was harshly treated by the passerby who filmed him instead of helping him,and should not be punished politically for erratic behaviour in his personal life.