A very careful choice of words on the part of the Prime Minister leaves the door open to walk back support of his Deputy Prime Minister if Joyce is found to be telling the Australian Parliament untruths.
House of Representatives Hansard, excerpts, 13 February 2018:
Mr TURNBULL
(Wentworth—Prime Minister) (14:25): The honourable member refers to some
statements attributed to a spokesman of mine yesterday. Those statements, I'm
advised, followed a background discussion. They were not authorised by me, but I will answer
the question. As the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed in his statement of
Saturday, 10 February, and again in his statement this morning, The Nationals
are responsible for decisions relating to staffing the office of Nationals
members. He confirmed that the Prime Minister's office has an administrative
role in informing the Department of Finance of changes. All ministers are bound
by the ministerial standards.
All ministers are bound
by the ministerial standards. The Deputy Prime Minister has today explained his
circumstances as it relates to the standards, and I refer you to that
statement. I would add that whether somebody is a partner of another for the
purposes of clause 2.23 is, of course, a question of fact. The facts of the relationship
which you're referring to are, of course, known to the Deputy Prime Minister.
It is his responsibility to address it and comply with the standards, and he
addressed that in his statement today. [my yellow highlighting]
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