A Liberal staffer from the office of the Federal Government's chief whip has quit after a meme was emailed mocking Barnaby Joyce and Tony Abbott.
The email was sent from chief whip Nola Marino's office on Monday morning, before quickly being recalled.
It featured an image of former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce and former prime minister Tony Abbott - sitting together in the House of Representatives.
"When you get in trouble in class and you get sat next to the weird kid no one likes," the meme read.
It was sent to several journalists before being recalled.
Monday marked Barnaby Joyce's first day on the backbench after his resignation as leader of the National Party.
ABC reports the staff member was sacked. Ms Marino's office said the staffer had offered his resignation after the accidental email and it had been accepted.
SBS contacted the office for additional comment but the office declined.
Additional reporting: AAP
