National Party races to replace Andrew Broad after he quit in disgrace

The National Party is widely canvassing prospective replacements for Victorian MP Andrew Broad after he dramatically announced he would leave parliament at the next election following a string of revelations of sleazy online behaviour.

Nationals MP Andrew Broad with his wife Rachel on Tuesday. Picture: Jason Edwards

Andrew Broad’s once promising political career was in tatters on Tuesday night after he quit parliament in disgrace following a string of revelations of sleazy online behaviour.

The 43-year-old federal MP said he had let down his family, staff and colleagues with the “sugar baby” allegations stemming from an online arranged date at a glitzy Hong Kong restaurant.

The National Party was on Tuesday night widely canvassing prospective replacements for the socially conservative Victorian MP in one of the safest seats in the country, after he dramatically announced he would leave parliament at the next election.

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There is a major push within the junior Coalition partner to replace Mr Broad with a female candidate — which could boost the party’s parliamentary stocks to three female MPs — following the second sex scandal to plague the party this year.

Nationals MP Andrew Broad with his wife Rachel on Tuesday. Picture: Jason Edwards

Victorian Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie — herself a potential candidate — hit out at Mr Broad’s behaviour, labelling it “deeply ­concerning” and “not representative of my party”.

“Members of the public have every right to expect that the behaviour from their elected representatives is in line with community expectations and standards,” Senator McKenzie said.

“Andrew has done the right thing by deciding to not contest the next election.”

Sources told the Herald Sun on Tuesday night Mildura councillor Min Poole was a likely frontrunner to fill the position, although former Victorian upper house MP Luke O’Sullivan was also fancied. Mr Broad’s resignation will also likely allow the Liberals to contest the seat next year, with former chief of staff to Tony Abbott, Peta Credlin, who hails from the Mallee town of Wycheproof, being urged to consider contesting.

Andrew Broad Nationals MP with wife Rachel in Red Cliffs just outside Mildura. Picture: Jason Edwards

The MP’s decision came a day after New Idea published allegations he used a “sugar daddy” website to connect with a younger woman, Amy, who he went on a failed date with in Hong Kong and sent sexually explicit text messages to in the lead-up.

He also allegedly sent a photo of himself with Governor-General Peter Cosgrove after being promoted to the ministry in August and referred to himself as “James Bond”.

The Herald Sun revealed on Tuesday there had also been a string of allegations about his night-time activities made to the party dating back to the 2016 election.

The former Victorian Farmers’ Federation president, once touted as a future leader of the party, issued a media statement after Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack called on him to “consider his future”.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg called the alleged conduct of Mr Broad ‘unacceptable’. Picture: Kym Smith

“After recent media stories about my private life, it is clear that the people of Mallee will be best served in the next parliament by a different Nationals candidate,” Mr Broad said.

“I want to acknowledge and thank my family, my staff, Nationals members and the community for their support of me. I have done my best and at times we have achieved good things, but I have also let them down.”

He will also repay almost $500 he charged taxpayers for the domestic legs of his travel.

Liberal MPs were furious over the scandal, which took focus away from the Morrison Government’s strong economic announcement of potential tax cuts and a surplus in next year’s Budget.

Coalition colleague Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on Tuesday called the alleged conduct of Mr Broad “unacceptable”.

Andrew Broad was the first to urge Barnaby Joyce to quit amid revelations the then leader had an affair with staffer Vikki Campion. Picture: Channel 7

Mr Broad’s actions also reopened wounds with his Nationals colleagues as he was the first to urge Barnaby Joyce to quit amid revelations the then leader had an affair with staffer Vikki Campion.

One MP told the Herald Sun: “What do you say about stones and glass houses again? It was bad enough at the time and now he looks nothing but a hypocrite.”

The deputy prime minister’s handling of the issue also infuriated many within the government after he was forced to clarify how long he had known about the allegation. Mr McCormack said there was “no reason” for him to inform Mr Morrison about the sexual misconduct allegations because it was a “personal matter”.

TIMELINE

SEPTEMBER 2: Andrew Broad flies to Hong Kong to attend Asia Fruit Logistica.

BETWEEN SEPT 2-7: Andrew Broad meets “Amy” at the Aqua restaurant where the pair dine, but she leaves after feeling “awkward”.

Mr Broad receives text messages the following day asking for $8000 or “Amy” will sell her story to the press.

SEPTEMBER 7: Mr Broad returns home to Mildura.

NOVEMBER 8: Andrew Broad informs National Party leader Michael McCormack he had contacted a woman in Hong Kong for a date and she was attempting to extort him.

On the recommendation of Mr McCormack, Mr Broad refers the incident to the Australian Federal Police.

MONDAY:

9am: New Idea hits the shelves with published details online of an explicit text message conversation between Mr Broad and
“Amy”.

9.15am: Prime Minister Scott Morrison learns of allegations in the magazine.

11.18am: Mr McCormack issues a statement saying he has accepted Mr Broad’s resignation as his assistant minister

Noon: Mr McCormack tells the media he learned of the incident “a couple of weeks ago”.

5.21pm: The AFP confirms no applicable offences under Australian law had been identified and the date of the referral was November 8.

7.45pm: Mr McCormack clarifies the date he first learned of the allegations.

YESTERDAY:

10.20am: Mr McCormack tells a press conference Mr Broad should “consider his future”.

Noon: Mr Broad issues a statement saying he will not recontest his seat at the next election.

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