Joyce advises new Nationals leader

The current and former leaders of the Nationals had a "handover" meeting last week where Barnaby Joyce passed on advice to his replacement.

Michael McCormack said the meeting went for about half an hour and the former Nationals leader passed on wisdom about the role he left behind.

"We had a good long chat about all sorts of things," the deputy prime minister told the Daily Telegraph's Miranda Devine Live program on Tuesday.

"Obviously there was a bit of a handover there... he gave me some good advice."

Mr Joyce quit after 16 days of scandal over his affair with his now-pregnant staffer Vikki Campion and the jobs she was given in two other political offices.

Mr McCormack was asked if Mr Joyce planned to come back as leader, but he said the former deputy prime minister is supportive of the party.

"Barnaby is Barnaby, he will make a contribution, no doubt about that," Mr McCormack said.