Victorian Nationals MP Russell Northe expected to resign

UPDATE: MORWELL MP Russell Northe has quit the National Party, amid revelations he is battling gambling problems.

UPDATE: MORWELL MP Russell Northe has quit the National Party, amid revelations he is battling gambling problems.

Mr Northe, first elected in 2006, had been on leave from the parliament since June, seeking assistance for mental health concerns.

Russell Northe. Picture: Eugene Hyland

He issued a statement today announcing his intention to recommence parliamentary duties.

“To give myself the best chance of succeeding, very reluctantly I have decided to renounce my membership of the National Party,” Mr Northe said in a statement provided to the ABC.

“This will relieve me of my broader responsibilities to the party, giving me more time to serve the Morwell electorate and to address my personal challenges.

“I have needed to make some changes in my life to restore my health and that needs to be my immediate focus.”

In Melbourne this morning, Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh confirmed Mr Northe had left the party and joined the crossbench.

“We are very supportive of the fact that he needs to look after his personal health and the health of his family … we wish him well getting his life back on track,” Mr Walsh said.

“Russell has been getting professional mental health counselling and I’m sure he would not be returning if his advice was that he should not be doing that.”

.@PeterWalshMP announces Morwell MP Russell Northe resigned @TheNationalsVic "We wish him well getting his life back on track" #springst pic.twitter.com/rvZOF4KFhs

— Kath Sullivan (@KathSully) August 27, 2017

Mr Walsh said he was aware of reports that Mr Northe had sought loans from people in the community.

Mr Walsh said that Mr Northe was not asked to resign from the party, and that he would discuss with Opposition leader Matthew Guy if the Liberal Party would contest the seat at next year’s election.

Mr Northe held Morwell at the 2014 election with a margin of 1.8 per cent.

“He hasn’t done anything illegal and hasn’t broken and rules. He has mental health issues and he has had some issues with gambling,” Mr Walsh said.

In his statement, Mr Northe encouraged others with mental health problems to seek assistance.

“I implore any person who is experiencing mental health issues or problems in their life to seek help and don’t be afraid to talk about their problems. My mistake was to not seek help and I hope people can learn from my error of judgment,” he said.

Mr Northe is expected to address media in the Latrobe Valley later today.

People seeking help for mental illness can call Lifeline on 13 11 14.