Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Nationals leader David Littleproud have urged Joyce to take leave to get the help he needs.
The Prime Minister said while he understands the reasons behind the suggestions made for alcohol testing, it was a step too far.
“There have been, of course, issues from time to time in the Parliament, but one of the things about our jobs is we’re accountable,” he said.
“Every three years, at least, we go to the Australian people and we’re accountable for what we say and what we do and how we act.
“People need to act responsibly at all times, to bear in mind the great privilege and honour that we have.”
Meanwhile, Nationals MP Keith Pitt, a strong ally of Joyce, has defended the former Deputy Prime Minister’s behaviour.
Pitt said Joyce would be needed at the next election and would be an asset for the opposition.
“Politics is a lot like sports,” Pitt told ABC radio. “Whether you like people or don’t like them, if you don’t turn out your best team - if you bench your best players - you don’t win any games.
“The big game is the federal election . . . we need our strongest players on the field and Barnaby is clearly one of them.”
Nationals MPs have expressed concerns for his welfare and agreed the video wasn’t a good look but are waiting for the controversy to blow over.
Joyce was elected to Parliament in 2004 and remains a popular MP.
He won the seat of New England with a 14 per cent margin after independent Tony Windsor retired in 2013, and Joyce held the electorate with an even stronger buffer at the last election.
Joyce, 56, who is the opposition veteran’s affairs spokesman, admitted to making a “big mistake” and blamed his behaviour on a mixture of alcohol and prescription drugs, adding “there’s no excuse for it”.
AAP has contacted Joyce for comment.
