Joyce defends under-fire Nationals MP

Acting prime minister Barnaby Joyce says he does not believe a High Court challenge to the election of a Nationals MP will have a case to stand on.

gillespie

National leader Barnaby Joyce has backed Assistant Minister for Rural Health David Gillespie. (AAP)

The acting prime minister doesn't believe there's a case to answer for a Nationals MP facing a challenge to the validity of his election.

Labor has asked the High Court to consider whether Member for Lyne David Gillespie is in breach of the constitution because a shopkeeper in a complex he owns runs an Australia Post outlet.

But acting prime minister Barnaby Joyce says Dr Gillespie has a "senior legal opinion" that there's no case to answer.

"What would be looked at is the directness of the relationship and I think you'll find that there is an intermediary," he told ABC TV on Sunday.

"Basically, he might have leased out the shop but then the person who had the shop then did a further business transaction with Australia Post so it is not directly with him."

Mr Joyce defended the assistant health minister, saying Dr Gillespie had taken a pay cut when he gave up his job as a gastroenterologist to enter politics.

"He's doing it for the right reasons," Mr Joyce said.

"We want someone who is a strong believer in their community, representing the community and I know that he's got very strong support in the seat of Lyne."


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Source: AAP


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