'I never rule anything out': Just days after resigning as Deputy PM over his staffer affair Barnaby Joyce says he would consider a return to the top job

  • Barnaby Joyce has revealed he would not rule out returning to the front bench 
  • He was enjoying a relaxing football game with colleagues before parliament
  • Mr Joyce was concerned he would look like a hypocrite if he ruled out a return 
  • Asked if he would be like former Prime Minister Abbott, he said 'I will be Barnaby'

By MONICA O'SHEA FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: | Updated:

Barnaby Joyce has revealed he still may have ambitions to return to the front bench as the leader of the Nationals Party in the Turnbull Government.

Five days after he resigned as Deputy Prime Minister amid affair and harassment allegations, he played a football game with colleagues in Canberra before talking to reporters.

Asked if he would like to return as Nationals leader, he said: 'I never rule anything in or anything out, right, because otherwise later in life you look like a hypocrite.'

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Enjoying his new freedom, Barnaby Joyce (pictured) played a football game with colleagues in Canberra on Tuesday

Enjoying his new freedom, Barnaby Joyce (pictured) played a football game with colleagues in Canberra on Tuesday

Mr Joyce was seen looking relaxed with his new found freedom as he scooped up the football and kicked it to a group of parliamentarians who failed to catch the ball. 

'I don't expect to return but I'll always do the very best job I possibly can in any role that is given to me,' he said.  

Mr Joyce did not rule out taking on a sniping role from the backbench saying: 'I will be Barnaby' when asked if he would be like former Prime Minister Tony Abbott. 

Mr Joyce (pictured right) resigned as deputy PM and Nationals leader on Friday, following a fortnight of saturation media coverage of his affair with his former media adviser Vikki Campion (pictured left).

Mr Joyce (pictured right) resigned as deputy PM and Nationals leader on Friday, following a fortnight of saturation media coverage of his affair with his former media adviser Vikki Campion (pictured left).

Barnaby Joyce said 'I will be Barnaby' when asked if he would take on a sniping role like Tony Abbott on the backbench

Barnaby Joyce said 'I will be Barnaby' when asked if he would take on a sniping role like Tony Abbott on the backbench

Mr Joyce resigned as deputy PM and Nationals leader on Friday, following a fortnight of media coverage of his affair with his former media adviser Vikki Campion.

He told reporters he was looking forward to finishing off his book and working for the 'people of New England'.

'You make the most of everything in life and I'm going to use this opportunity to get around the electorate, deal with the people...finish of my book, concentrate on policy and try and make the most of it.' 

Mr Joyce, asked if he had ambitions to return to the front bench, said  he never rules anything in or out 

Mr Joyce, asked if he had ambitions to return to the front bench, said  he never rules anything in or out 

 Mr Joyce said Mr McCormack had a big job in front of him in 'an incredible position.' 

 'For any person in that position, I do nothing more than wish them the very best on behalf of our nation because that is what the job is for,' he said. 

The Prime Minister's Office had no comment to make on Mr Joyce returning to the front bench only a few days after he resigned. 

Mr Joyce took his seat on the back bench of parliament on Monday for the first time since he quit as Nationals leader

Mr Joyce took his seat on the back bench of parliament on Monday for the first time since he quit as Nationals leader

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