Veteran Liberal Party MP Russell Broadbent quits party, moves to crossbench after being dumped by branch

Veteran Liberal Party MP Russell Broadbent has sensationally quit the party, moving to crossbench in protest after he was dumped by his branch.

Liberal Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent has quit the party. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Veteran Liberal Party MP Russell Broadbent has sensationally quit the party, moving to crossbench in protest after he was dumped by his branch.

Mr Broadbent lost preselection for the seat of Monash on Sunday, losing to Mary Aldred by a devastating margin of 161 to 16.

The 72-year-old told Coalition MPs in a private party room meeting on Tuesday morning he was about to take medical leave.

In a statement, he confirmed on Tuesday he was quitting the Liberal Party in protest at being dumped.

Liberal MP Russell Broadbent has sensationally quit the party. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

“Today I resigned from the Liberal Party and will move to the crossbench where I’ll continue to represent the people of Monash. I am a Liberal at heart and my values have not changed,’’ he said.

“On Sunday, there was a pre-selection where I received less than 10% 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.

“As I said in the party room this morning, I believe there are storm clouds ahead for this nation and I strongly encourage 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.”

First elected to Parliament in 1990, he was the Member for Corinella from 1990–1993.

He then held the seat of McMillan from 1996 to 1998 before he lost to the Labor Party.

But he won McMillan again in 2004 after a redistribution erased the Labor majority and made it notionally Liberal.

Mr Broadbent is seen celebrating after winning the seat of Monash in 2022. Picture: Facebook.

He first came to national prominence after siding with Liberal dissident Petro Georgiou in advocating better treatment of detainees during the Howard Government.

More recently, he was one of only four members of the House of Representatives to vote against legalision of same-sex marriage in Australia.

He also raised eyebrows when he took a personal decision not to be vaccinated against COVID-19, with any of the available vaccines.

Broadbent caught COVID in January 2022 and self-administered Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug.

Victorian Liberal Party President Philip Davis thanked Mr Broadbent for his 25 years of service.

“We wish him well for the future,” Mr Davis said.

Victorian Liberal Dan Tehan praised his contribution.

“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.”