Nationals MP Andrew Broad steps down amid affair allegations

Update: Nationals MP Andrew Broad has confirmed he will not contest the next election, after being embroiled in a scandal involving a woman he met on an overseas trip.

It comes a day after resigning from the front bench after it was revealed he dined with a woman he met online.

In a statement, Mr Broad says the people of Mallee will be better served by another Nationals candidate at the next election.

He’s also agreed to pay back two taxpayer-funded domestic flights made as part of the trip to Hong Kong.

Nationals leader Michael McCormack, who told Mr Broad to go to police about the incident, has defended his decision not to tell Prime Minister Scott Morrison when he first became aware.

“I thought it was a personal matter between him and his family,” he said on Tuesday.

“I wasn’t aware of the entire extent of what had taken place.”

EARLIER

Monday: A Nationals MP has quit the front bench after he was accused of inappropriate behaviour while on an overseas work trip.

Andrew Broad has resigned as the Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister after New Idea magazine published allegations that the married MP used a dating website to meet a younger woman while on a taxpayer-funded trip to Hong Kong.

Herald Sun political reporter Rob Harris told 3AW Drive Mr Broad’s actions don’t match his past words.

“He is a deep Christian and has spoken quite strongly about family values in the past,” Rob said.

“The idea that he may be a little bit hypocritical in his personal life has certainly rubbed some people the wrong way.

“I’m not sure this would be look on fondly by members of his party and probably a lot of voters, too.”

Click PLAY for Rob Harris’ report with Justin Smith

It’s believed Mr Broad has referred the allegations to federal police.

In a statement, Nationals leader Michael McCormack says Mr Broad will remain in parliament but that, given the nature of the allegations, his resignation is appropriate.

Nationals MP Andrew Broad has resigned as Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister after a woman accused him of inappropriate behaviour while on an overseas trip @2GB873 @3AW693 @NewsTalk4BC @6PR @1395FIVEaa #auspol pic.twitter.com/fCNPtgpyhh

— Roshai Murdoch (@roshaimurdoch) December 17, 2018