Turnbull called Joyce's affair a "shocking error of judgment" last week, to which Joyce responded by calling Turnbull "inept". "I will say on Monday morning at the party room I will step down as the leader of the National Party and deputy leader of Australia," Joyce said. National Party federal director Ben Hindmarsh said on Friday the party had received the sexual harassment allegation against Joyce but declined to give any details. The National Party will now elect a new leader, who will also become deputy prime minister under the terms of the coalition agreement with Turnbull's Liberal party. Two-thirds of Australian voters wanted Joyce to resign, The Australian newspaper's Newspoll showed earlier this week.

Source: The Star February 23, 2018 03:33 UTC