When photographs and a video of politician Barnaby Joyce lying on a footpath late at night, seemingly incapacitated, went viral last week, it triggered a series of political explosions.

Almost immediately, politicians started lobbing accusations. That the shadow minister for Veterans’ Affairs was undermining his party. And embarrassing the nation; even bringing the culture of parliament into disrepute.

Today, national affairs editors James Massola on the political manoeuvring currently going on behind the scenes in Canberra, which could determine whether this incident spells the end of Barnaby Joyce’s long career. And the history of questionable behaviour, by our politicians.

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