Home > News > Australia's government bans politicians from sleeping with their staff

Australia's government bans politicians from sleeping with their staff

2025-04-26 21:52:05

Sleeping with a co-worker is pretty much a no-no in all workplaces, especially so in the sensitive world of politics.

Not that Australia's deputy prime minister stuck to the unspoken rule.

SEE ALSO: What to do when someone you love has terrible internet taste

Barnaby Joyce been under significant pressure in the past week after it was revealed he had an affair with one of his staff, ultimately leading to the break-up of his 24-year marriage.

The situation has seen Joyce labelled a hypocrite, due to his advocacy of traditional marriage when the country was voting on whether same-sex couples could marry.

It's also been disruptive, and led to Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull banning ministers in his government from having sexual relations with their staff on Thursday.

Mashable Top Stories Stay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news. Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

Sure, it may be absurd, but the change is arguably the country's biggest political story, for now.

Tweet may have been deleted

"This change is being made in a way that is very, very clear, couldn't be clearer," Turnbull told reporters.

"This is a bright line and I am saying that in these workplaces here, the minister's offices, ministers must behave accordingly and they must not, I don't care they are married or single, I don't care. They must not have sexual relations with their staff, that's it."

On Twitter, the change has people talking. Not only about the ban itself, but the hashtag to describe the prohibition.

The choices? #bonkban or #sexit.