Barnaby Joyce has revealed that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hadn't actually seen the end of the film Thelma and Louise when he made the reference to the pair's Queensland road trip.
Mr Turnbull and Mr Joyce toured the sunshine state together in mid-February when the prime minister mentioned the movie, saying the duo were having a great time.
His popular culture reference was mocked because the film ends with the two lead characters driving off a cliff.
"I'll let you in on a joke. I said to the prime minister, 'Mate, have you seen the end of that movie?' He went, 'No bloke has seen the end of that movie'," Mr Joyce told ABC TV on Sunday.
Mr Turnbull and Mr Joyce are considered strange leadership bedfellows since the latter's elevation to National Party leader and deputy prime minister.
Mr Joyce likened his promotion to walking down the aisle at his wedding.
He keenly feels the responsibility of his new role weighing on his shoulders.
"The best way to explain it, it's a bit like walking down the aisle at your wedding," he said.
"You're just looking around saying, 'I hope this works'."
He acknowledged the latitude he once had to say whatever he liked is now restricted.
"The old Barnaby maybe on a lot of issues does have a spray," he said.
Mr Joyce also heaped praise on his deputy National Party leader Fiona Nash, who is the first woman in that role.
"It's great to have ... someone who can slap you on the back when you're doing well and kick you up the backside when you go off the rails," he said.
A free-trade deal with India, improving export opportunities to Gulf States and building on live animal export markets are among Mr Joyce's top priorities.
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