Mal Brough has announced that he has resigned from the Turnbull ministry.
Brough said he had been advised by the Federal Police that their enquiries into the Slipper-Ashby affair may takes “several more months”.
Brough stood aside as Special Minister of State and Minister for Defence Materiel and Science on December 29, 2015. He cited the police investigation as the reason.
Jamie Briggs, the Minister for Cities and the Built Environment, resigned on the same day, in the wake of allegations about his personal behaviour.
Today’s announcement comes as Prime Minister Turnbull is reshuffling his ministry to take account of Andrew Robb’s retirement and Barnaby Joyce’s accession to the leadership of The Nationals, following the retirement of Warren Truss.
The Minister for Human Services and Veterans’ Affairs, Stuart Robert, also resigned yesterday over a breach of ministerial standards relating to his activities assisting an Australian business in China.
Brough’s decision gives Turnbull more latitude to make major changes to the Cabinet and Ministry. The reshuffle is likely to be announced tomorrow.
Statement from Mal Brough, LNP Member for Fisher.
Statement: Federal Member for Fisher
Today I have made the decision to announce my resignation as a Minister in the Turnbull Government.
I have made this decision after speaking to the Australian Federal Police this week where they confirmed that their enquiries may take “several more months”.
I take the view that politics is not about an individual or a career, it is what is in the best interests of the country and it is unreasonable to expect the positions in the Ministry to remain vacant until the enquiries conclude.
I called the Prime Minister this morning to inform him of my decision.
It was an honour to be recognised worthy for inclusion in the first Turnbull Ministry and I thank the Prime Minister for that opportunity.
