Mr Joyce told a media conference in Tamworth it was only a matter of time until the minister’s identity was revealed and called for them to come forward.
“Three people know who this is. Did I say three? I meant 3000. This is about one dinner and two bottles of red wine away from the whole world knowing who this is,” he said.
“If you know anything about this,don’t wait to be outed yourself. Give an explanation. Maybe you had a bad day in the office ... That’s the better way to do it.”
As rumours swirled about who had the text exchange,a series of federal cabinet ministers denied being involved and rejected the description of Mr Morrison.
“I can say categorically that these claims have nothing to do with me,” said Foreign Minister Marise Payne in a statement.
“I have never had such an exchange with the former premier,nor have I ever used such language,and nor did I leak messages,if indeed they are genuine. It is ludicrous to suggest otherwise.
“I would add that I also reject the descriptions of the Prime Minister in the purported messages. They do not match my long experience of working with him. He is the best person to lead this country now and into the future.”
A spokesman for Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said “no” when asked if the minister,whose electorate overlaps with Ms Berejiklian’s former state seat,was involved.
Finance Minister Simon Birmingham,a leader of the moderate wing of the Liberal Party and a close colleague of the former premier,also denied being the minister involved. “No,it wasn’t me,” he said.
A spokesman for Government Services Minister Linda Reynolds,who was in the defence portfolio at the time of the “black summer” bushfires,said:“Happy to confirm that Minister Reynolds has not sent the reported text messages to Ms Berejiklian.”
Environment Minister Sussan Ley also said she had no part in the reported exchange.
“I have neither been involved in the purported exchange nor been aware of it at any time prior to yesterday’s question at the press club,” Ms Ley said.
“Any suggestion otherwise is insulting and completely untrue.
“I have known the Prime Minister for twenty years and such a characterisation of his behaviour and attitudes is entirely alien to my understanding of the politician and the person.”
Social Services Minister Anne Ruston said:“These messages were not from me. Having worked closely with the Prime Minister through the bushfires and the pandemic,I know his absolute priority is always the people of Australia and their welfare.”
Liberal MP Jason Falinski called for the resignation of the anonymous cabinet member,while Liberal senator Jane Hume questioned the validity of the text exchange,saying she did not know “anyone” who would speak of Mr Morrison in such terms.
Health Minister Greg Hunt urged van Onselen to reveal the cabinet minister’s identity.
Van Onselen said on Wednesday morning the messages were more than two years old and had been sent during the summer bushfire crisis.
The Prime Minister told Seven’sSunrise program that hearing “nasty things” about himself was part of the job,but should not be the focus.
In a round of media appearances on Wednesday morning,Mr Morrison defended his relationship with Ms Berejiklian and dismissed the texts as “anonymous sledging”.
“We’ve worked very closely through the pandemic and through many other challenges to restore the NSW economy. I can’t speak to the messages because I don’t know anything about it,” he told ABC radio’s AM program.
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