Barnaby Joyce has stunned viewers of ABC's The Weekly, after suggesting "white" Australians are the real victims of poverty and marginalisation.

In a prickly exchange with host Charlie Pickering, Joyce drew audible jeers from ABC's in-studio audience when he appeared to prioritise the plight of "poor, white" Australians.

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Joyce was responding to Pickering's question as to why he chose to release his new tell-all memoir just as media scrutiny on his scandal was finally dying.

"The book is not a memoir about me, it's a memoir about trying to look after people in regional areas that are doing it tough," Joyce responded.

"These are people who are basically at the corner of society – they're poor, in many instances they're white, their opportunities are not like yours and we've got to come up with policies and something to take them ahead," he said.

The comment, which Pickering awkwardly skirted over, reiterated claims Joyce had made during an interview with Hugh Riminton on Ten's Eyewitness News earlier on Wednesday, when he voiced his concerns for "people who live on the peripheries of society, predominantly white people".

"These are the people that I think are ignored. They're the ones that they call hillbillies, rednecks, hayseeds," Joyce had told Riminton.

Along with The Weekly's in-studio audience, Joyce's emphasis on "white" victims of poverty drew immediate criticism from viewers online.

"So being poor only matters if you are white? Unbelievable!" Father Rod Bower, the rector of Gosford's Anglican church, renowned for its inclusive notices, wrote in a viral tweet.

Pickering, who had previously roasted Joyce over his cash-for-comment TV exclusive in June, spent much of the interview zinging the Nationals MP over his promo spot.

"Barnaby, I will be honest, I'm genuinely surprised you're here," he opened the exchange on Wednesday's episode. Seconds later, he presented Joyce with a fake cheque for one billion dollars.

"A bit of an incentive for you guys to not cut the ABC budget because otherwise that baby is gonna bounce," he quipped.

"Yeah well, we'll keep fighting for you, make sure we keep you on air," Joyce responded, with icy sarcasm.

Pickering also accused Joyce of "embarrassing" his own party members in reigniting discussion of his affair drama.

"A life in the public gaze is probably always a bit unorthodox..." Joyce responded.

"Yeah, but I mean you came over the wicket," Pickering replied.