Ex-journalist elected Australia's new Deputy PM
Canberra: Michael McCormack, a former regional newspaper editor, was elected as Australia's new Deputy Prime Minister on Monday.
He replaces Barnaby Joyce as leader of the Nationals, the governing coalition's junior partner.
Joyce stepped down on Friday following questions over his relationship with media adviser Vikki Campion, and an allegation of sexual harassment by another woman. He called the latter's complaint "spurious and defamatory".
As leader of the Nationals, McCormack automatically becomes deputy to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull - who heads the Liberal Party.
McCormack said Joyce had been an "outstanding leader".
"His service to our party and to our nation will never be diminished. His legacy will endure," he told the media.
McCormack had attracted criticism over a controversial editorial he wrote 25 years ago as editor of the Daily Advertiser, a small newspaper based in the town of Wagga Wagga, in which he described homosexuality as "sordid".
"Unfortunately gays are here and, if the disease their unnatural acts helped spread doesn't wipe out humanity, they're here to stay," he wrote in 1993.
McCormack has since apologised for the piece and said his views have changed.
Although long opposed to same-sex marriage, he voted in line with the majority of his constituents to support its legalisation in Australia last year.
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Ex-PM Deve Gowda, whose son and grandson are facing charges, not to celebrate Birthday
Bengaluru (PTI): JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, whose grandson and Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna is facing investigation under multiple sexual abuse charges, on Thursday said he will not be celebrating his birthday on May 18.
The 91-year-old also appealed to party workers to strive for strengthening the organisation and victory of BJP-JD(S) candidates in the biennial election to six seats (three each from graduates’ and teachers’ constituencies) of the Karnataka Legislative Council on June three.
Two cases -- kidnapping and sexual abuse -- have also been registered against Deve Gowda's son, H D Revanna, who is an MLA and former Minister.
"On the 18th of this month I will be completing 91 years of age and entering 92, but due to some reasons I'm not celebrating my birthday. So I request you to wish me from wherever you are," Gowda said in an appeal to fans, party workers and well-wishers.
"Everyone should honestly work for the victory of BJP-JD(S) candidates in the upcoming legislative council polls, and I request everyone to work with commitment to organise the party," he said in a statement.
According to JD(S) sources, the veteran leader has decided to skip the celebration, due to the "difficult situation" the family is in, following the allegations against the 33-year-old MP and his father Revanna.
Prajwal was BJP-JD(S) alliance's joint candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha segment, which went for polls on April 26.
He has reportedly flown to Germany on April 27, and is still at large.
