Barnaby Joyce has taken extended personal leave, effective immediately, as Channel Seven aired a snippet of its exclusive interview with the Nationals MP and his partner.

SBS News has confirmed the Nationals backbencher on Tuesday applied to the National Party Whip for time off and his request was granted.

Mr Joyce is expected to return to parliament in August.

It comes after Channel Seven aired an excerpt from Mr Joyce's $150,000 interview with partner Vikki Campion.

In the clip, Ms Campion defended falling in love with Mr Joyce when she was working as his media adviser.

“I couldn’t help it. You can’t help who you fall in love with,” the new mother said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Joyce defended the tell-all interview, which is due to screen on Sunday night.

Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion (pictured) sold their story to Channel Seven.

Channel Seven/Sunday Night

He said it was Ms Campion's decision to accept payment and that he would not have asked for any money if the interview was only with him.

"If it was just an interview with me as a politician, sure, I am not going to charge for that," he told The Australian.

"But that is not what they wanted, they wanted an interview obviously to get Vikki's side of the story and like most mothers she said: 'Seeing as I am being screwed over and there are drones and everything over my house in the last fortnight, paparazzi waiting for me, if everybody else is making money then [I am] going to make money out of it," he said.

Vikki Campion holds baby Sebastian while Barnaby Joyce looks on.

7 News

Mr Joyce has come under fire for selling his story, with Financial Services Minister Kelly O'Dwyer saying "most Australians are pretty disgusted by it".

"Ultimately it's a matter for him and his judgment. I personally wouldn't do it, I don't think it's right, and I think most Australians are pretty disgusted by it," Ms O'Dwyer told ABC radio.