As new leader of the National Party, McCormack automatically replaces scandal-hit Barnaby Joyce as deputy prime minister
ADVERTISEMENTMichael McCormack has been appointed Australia's new Deputy Prime Minister after his predecessor quit over sex scandals including a sexual harassment allegation he denies.
McCormack, a former newspaper editor, got the job automatically after being picked to replace Barnaby Joyce as leader of the National Party, the junior partner in Australia's conservative coalition government.
Joyce resigned over an extramarital affair with his former media secretary with whom he is expecting a child. He has left his marriage of 24 years. He resisted weeks of pressure to resign but said on Friday he would step down as party leader after the allegation of sexual harassment emerged.
with Reuters