Barnaby Joyce confronts what his other family REALLY think about Vikki Campion ...

Barnaby Joyce confronts what his other family REALLY think about Vikki Campion ...
Barnaby Joyce confronts what his other family REALLY think about Vikki Campion ...

Barnaby Joyce has revealed not all of his family are happy about his engagement to his former political staffer Vikki Campion.

The deputy prime minister, 54, popped the question to Ms Campion, 36, at Coffs Harbour restaurant Latitude 30 on the NSW mid-north coast on Sunday night. 

The couple - whose extra-marital affair made national headlines in February 2018 - have been together four years and share sons Sebastian, three, and Thomas, two.

Mr Joyce said his family's reaction was as 'one would have expected' and not everyone was pleased to hear of the upcoming nuptials. 

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Barnaby Joyce is engaged to his partner and former political staffer Vikki Campion (pictured together with their sons Sebastian and Thomas)

Barnaby Joyce is engaged to his partner and former political staffer Vikki Campion (pictured together with their sons Sebastian and Thomas)

'How has the family received the news?' Sunrise host Natalie Barr asked him on Tuesday morning.  

'Obviously, it is as one would have expected. Some are happy and some are understandably not as happy,' Mr Joyce replied.

The politician has four daughters from his marriage of 24 years to his ex-wife Natalie. 

The Nationals leader joked that even his two infant sons were less than enthused about their parents' proposal.

'The boys couldn't give a stuff. They are just talking about dinosaurs,' he said.

Mr Joyce said he would still be at the bar downing his sorrows if Ms Campion had turned down his offer of marriage.  

'She went to the bathroom and I told the guys at the restaurant "I'm going to propose and if this works out well, it's going to be real nice. If it doesn't, I will join you at the bar for about a day",' he said.    

He said he waited for most of the other diners to leave for proposing.  

'I waited for most of them to leave in case she said "no",' he said.

The deputy prime minister popped the question at Coffs Harbour restaurant Latitude 30 (pictured) on the NSW mid-north coast

The deputy prime minister popped the question at Coffs Harbour restaurant Latitude 30 (pictured) on the NSW mid-north coast

'Rather than being down on one knee I ended up being down on two. I was saying my prayers.'

The Nationals proposed with a parti sapphire ring, a stone popular in his northern NSW electorate.

'Here in New England - particularly Inverell - they're famous for their sapphires,' he told the Kyle and Jackie 'O' show.

Mr Joyce said he had intended to propose in Noosa, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, but the tourist hotspot was completely booked out. 

Former political adviser Vikki Campion and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce pictured in 2018 with their eldest son Sebastian

Former political adviser Vikki Campion and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce pictured in 2018 with their eldest son Sebastian

Mr Joyce pictured with his ex-wife Natalie, with whom he shares four daughters

Mr Joyce pictured with his ex-wife Natalie, with whom he shares four daughters 

Natalie Joyce (centre) and her daughters Bridgette, 22, Julia 20, Caroline, 19, and Odette 16

Natalie Joyce (centre) and her daughters Bridgette, 22, Julia 20, Caroline, 19, and Odette 16

Since announcing the engagement, Mr Joyce said the couple have been 'overwhelmed' by the good wishes and 'thank everyone for them'.  

'The boys couldn’t care less, they’re not aware,' he told the Daily Telegraph. 'As long as you take them to the pool at the moment they’re happy.'

Rumours of then-married Mr Joyce and Ms Campion's love affair first surfaced in early

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