Barnaby should keep job, says wife

Natalie Joyce does not want her philandering husband to lose his job despite the pain he has caused her and their four daughters.

Mrs Joyce made her first public appearance since the lovechild scandal broke when she went out on Sydney Harbour on Saturday night, attending the luxury boat birthday party of a Nationals and Liberal Party donor.

Friends of Mrs Joyce said she does not want Barnaby Joyce to lose his job as Deputy Prime Minister, which is why she has been hesitant to agree to any major media interview.

Until recently, Mrs Joyce still harboured hopes of a reconciliation with her husband of 25 years, despite Mr Joyce expecting a baby in mid-April with his former media adviser Vikki Campion.

Showing she is still loyal to him, Mrs Joyce has voiced concerns about his colleagues’ undermining him and their jostling for the leadership of the Nationals.

The separated pair are understood to have spoken on the phone at the weekend about a personal matter involving a Nationals colleague.

Trying to shake off the trauma of the past two weeks, Mrs Joyce visited Sydney at the weekend for the 40th birthday of her friend Kirsty Berger.

Ms Berger, her husband Lesli and father Joshua are prominent property developers and donors to the Liberal and Nationals parties.

Friends said Mrs Joyce was able to relax at the birthday party and enjoy a glass of champagne.

“It was a chance for her to relax with friends after what’s been a terribly traumatic time for her,” one friend said. “Everyone was right behind her.

“She’s very resilient.”

Dressed in a navy ruffled dress, Mrs Joyce posed for photographs with lobbyist Michael Kauter and his husband Dr David Gracey. Her wedding ring was noticeably absent.

It was a fortnight ago that it was revealed Mr Joyce and Ms Campion were expecting a baby together. The Nationals have been in turmoil ever since, with questions arising over Mr Joyce’s judgment.