Mary Aldred beats Russell Broadbent to become the Liberal candidate for the seat of Monash

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has used dumped Monash MP Russell Broadbent’s abrupt defection from the Victorian Liberal Party to attack Peter Dutton’s leadership.

Russell Broadbent has quit the Liberal Party. Picture: AAP

Russell Broadbent has dramatically quit the Victorian Liberal Party after losing preselection on Sunday.

The Monash MP told a partyroom of his decision to sit on the crossbench on Tuesday morning.

One Liberal MP described the move as “sad”.

The Herald Sun understands Mr Broadbent has now flown to Melbourne for an appointment but will return for the rest of the sitting period.

Mr Broadbent is understood to have thanked colleagues and called for them to continue supporting Peter Dutton.

Victorian Liberal Party President Philip Davis thanked Mr Broadbent for his 25 years of service as a Liberal Member in the federal parliament. “We wish him well for the future,” Mr Davis said.

Russell Broadbent will move to the crossbench. Picture: AAP

One senior Liberal said Mr Broadbent was very “gracious in his tone”, adding there was “no anger”. He also urged his colleagues to remain “united” around the leader and “take up the fight”.

It comes after businesswoman Mary Aldred, who was the frontrunner for the seat was announced as the Liberal candidate for the rural electorate covering parts of Gippsland.

Mr Broadbent congratulated Ms Aldred on the win and wished her team well for the next federal election.

“The decision by the party that I do not continue as the Member for Monash after the next election was clear and emphatic,” Mr Broadbent said.

“I will continue to serve the people of Monash until the next election.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the people and the parliament for the last 25 years.”

Ms Aldred, who is the daughter of former federal politician Ken Aldred, is the head of government relations for Fujitsu’s Asia Pacific operations and is on three Gippsland boards.

She is understood to have beaten Mr Broadbent and South Gippsland Shire Mayor Nathan Hersey in a single ballot.

Mary Aldred is the head of government relations for Fujitsu’s Asia Pacific operations. Picture: Supplied

Mr Broadbent, now 72, was first elected to the parliament in 1990 for the seat of Corinella, which he held for one term.

He held the seat of McMillan for one term from 1996, before being re-elected in 2004.

He won a further four elections until a redistribution resulted in him becoming the member for Monash MP in 2019 – a position he has retained for the past two terms.

In a message to constituents, posted on his Facebook page, Mr Broadbent said he would continue to represent the people of Monash from the crossbench.

“I am a Liberal at heart and my values have not changed,” he wrote.

“On Sunday, there was a preselection where I received less than 10 per cent of the vote.

“This was a clear signal from members and one which I believe revokes my licence to represent the Liberal Party in the electorate of Monash.”

Mr Broadbent said he told the party room this morning that there were “storm clouds ahead for this nation” and strongly encouraged the party to support the leader.

“It has been an honour to stand in the parliament as the Liberal member for Monash for the past 25 years, and I wish the Liberal Party all the best,” he said.

Liberal leader Peter Dutton, who did not expect the move, said it was “regrettable” that Mr Broadbent had made that decision and thanked him for his service.

Mr Broadbent did not attend the Coalition’s joint partyroom meeting.

He told the Herald Sun he does not intend on running for Monash at the next federal election.

Anthony Albanese used Mr Broadbent’s defection to attack Mr Dutton’s leadership in his own caucus meeting.

The Prime Minister said Mr Dutton had made it clear that his “key priority” was keeping his party together.

“Since becoming leader, that party has reduced in the House of Representatives from 58 members now down today to 55 members,” Mr Albanese said.

He also pointed out that Andrew Gee, Karen Andrews, Stuart Robert, Julian Leeser and Alan Tudge had all left the frontbench.

Senior Victorian Liberal Dan Tehan thanked Mr Broadbent for 25 years of service. Picture: Gary Ramage

Victorian Liberal Party President Philip Davis said Ms Aldred was a “powerful local advocate”, who had vast experience across community volunteer organisations and the business sector.

“Mary is an exceptional young woman to pick up the challenge of representing a significant regional electorate,” Mr Davis said.

“She has worked closely with local government, business and volunteer groups for 20 years.”

Senior Victorian Liberal Dan Tehan thanked Mr Broadbent for 25 years of service to the parliament on behalf of the people of the Gippsland region.

“Russell has always been an individual of integrity and compassion, and has always stuck to his values,” Mr Tehan said.

“He has been a wonderful colleague and has contributed and delivered in a vast array of areas throughout his career.”

Ms Aldred said it was a “tremendous honour” to have been preselected.

“I will work my hardest to make a compelling case as the Liberal candidate for Monash at the next election,” she said.

“I will be focusing on issues like cost of living, the infrastructure base that we’ve got here with lots of new population, aged care, health, and making sure that local families are supported and heard.”

She also paid tribute to Mr Broadbent’s contribution to the region and Liberal Party saying he had her “utmost respect”.

Asked if running for politics was a natural progression for her, Ms Aldred said she had a passion for small business and had always been interested in local communities.

“I’m proud to come from a strong Liberal family,” she said.

“Being able to focus on what’s important to local people and representing their best interests and aspirations is the most important thing that you can do.”

Mr Tehan said Ms Aldred’s late father would “be incredibly proud”.