Outgoing Minister Stuart wraps up Ministerial work as Liberal Party branch meeting is held

DISGRACED federal government minister Stuart Robert yesterday returned to Canberra to pack up his desk as branch members in his seat of Fadden met to discuss his future.

Minister for Human Services and Veterans Affairs Stuart Robert in Question Time in the House of Representatives Chamber, Parliament House in Canberra.

DISGRACED federal government minister Stuart Robert yesterday made a lightning visit to Canberra to pack up his desk as branch members in his seat of Fadden met to discuss his future.

The senior MP has not been seen in public since he returned to the Coast last Friday, just hours after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced his Cabinet career was over.

Mr Robert asked to be left out of the weekend’s Cabinet reshuffle after an investigation by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet into a scandal involving a private trip to China.

Mr Robert yesterday visited the nation’s capital to wrap up outstanding business before returning to the Gold Coast later the same day.

The minister under fire- Stuart Robert-during Question Time in the House of Representatives. Picture: Gary Ramage

However he did not attend the Liberal Party branch meeting which was held at the Labrador Tigers football club.

While the outcome of the China deal scandal was not a formal agenda item, the Bulletin understands members discussed the situation.

The loss of the Gold Coast MP’s Cabinet position has raised questions among party members about the seat’s future.

“There is a sense of disappointment and anxiety among the members after what happened,” one party figure said.

“There is no doubt that head office will scrutinise things but it is possible some people will see this as an opportunity to challenge for what is a very safe seat.”

Another party source said that while people were disappointed, Mr Robert’s position was not in doubt.

“He’s rock solid within the branch and he’s not going anywhere,” the source said.

“People are disappointed and it is always better to have an MP around the Cabinet table but what happened just did not pass the pub test.”

During the 2014 trip to China’s capital Beijing, Mr Robert attended a signing ceremony in a “private capacity” between the Chinese government-controlled company Minmetals and Australian company, Nimrod Resources.

The Australian company was represented by Paul Marks, a major Liberal Party donor and “close personal friend” of Mr Robert.

It was also revealed he had organised a dinner in his Parliament House office with Tony Abbott and a Chinese business mogul at the request of Mr Marks.

The Fadden MP, who until last week was being paid more than $300,000 a year, has not posted on his Facebook or Twitter social media accounts since February 5, just days before the China Deal scandal went public.

Despite the lack of activity, constituents of the safe Liberal seat have continued to post messages of support and requesting assistance to improve internet speed in the city’s north.

“Sorry to see you leave Cabinet, but hey you might have some time to help some of your constituents,” wrote Helensvale resident, Dallas Dogger.

“If your government wants to be seen as leading innovation, how about getting us a decent internet service in RiverLinks Estate in Helensvale?”

As well as losing his portfolios, Mr Robert will also be forced to relocate to more modest accommodation within Parliament House and takes a pay cut of more than $112,000 a year.

Non-cabinet Ministers are paid $307,329 annually, while backbenchers receive $195,130 — a 57.5 per cent cut.