Barnaby Joyce defends Christian Porter’s decision to remain in Parliament after resigning from Cabinet

Acting Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has defended Christian Porter’s decision to remain in Parliament as a backbencher, saying he has not done anything illegal and is entitled to stay. 

Mr Porter resigned from the frontbench yesterday after it was revealed a blind trust paid for part of a defamation action he launched against the ABC.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison had offered no defence of his industry and science minister and asked the head of his department, Phil Gaetjens, to investigate whether the declaration was in breach of the ministerial standards.

On Sunday, Mr Morrison announced Mr Porter was unable to “conclusively rule out a perceived conflict of interest” and as a result had chosen to resign.

“His actions have been about upholding the standards,” Mr Morrison said.

Mr Porter maintains he did not breach the ministerial standards by accepting the donation.

Today, Mr Joyce said Mr Porter had “had a bad day at the wicket” but the issue had now been dealt with.

“Mr Porter has not done anything illegal; if he had, the police would be here,” he said.

“Now he is no longer a minister, now his contract is with the people of Pearce.”

Mr Joyce also backed the idea of the former attorney-general one day returning to a senior role in government.

“My own recommendation is that he is an incredibly capable politician,” he said.

“[He’ll] have a bit of time on your hands but you can use it effectively, and I’m sure he will,” he said.

“If he does it effectively, I believe he should be given another chance at some future time in a senior role.”

Not everyone shares the Acting Prime Minister’s feelings, with Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus saying Mr Morrison should demand Mr Porter pay the money back, or resign altogether.

“It sure is clear to just about every Australian looking on in horror about what these men are doing to wreck our democracy,” he said.

Reaction in Pearce

Some of the voters in Mr Porter’s electorate of Pearce expressed mixed feelings about the MP in the wake of yesterday’s resignation.

Pearce voter Shirley Hansen said in the past she supported Mr Porter but now was undecided.

“He’s been there for a long time and I’ve always voted for him but this time I am not quite sure frankly.”

Gail Vernon said she was “glad” he had stepped down from the frontbench.

“I never really liked him,” she said.

When asked if resigning from Cabinet was the right thing to do, Susanne Harford said:

“I think that any person in public office where there is a question should step aside, anybody.”