Federal Liberal MP and former Morrison government minister Stuart Robert has announced his resignation from parliament.
Robert’s resignation, announced by the House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick on Thursday, will trigger a byelection in the electorate of Fadden, in Queensland.
“The Speaker is now considering possible dates for the by-election for the electoral division of Fadden, Queensland and will make an announcement in due course,” the speaker said in a statement.
Robert has served for 16 years in parliament. He was the Minister for Government Services during the time of the former Coalition government’s unlawful Robodebt scheme. Robert was considered a close ally of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and has also been involved in a number of other political controversies.
Robert announced his intention to resign from politics weeks ago, and did not attend parliament during federal budget week. It’s been reported that his staff went to Canberra during budget week only to pack up Robert’s office in parliament.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albansese said it was “unacceptable” that Robert had not been attending parliament.
“If you’re a member of parliament … unless there’s a good reason why you’re not in parliament with other duties or ill health, you have to turn up,” the Prime Minister said.
Robert’s electorate of Fadden on the Gold Coast is considered a “safe” Liberal seat, held by Robert with a margin of more than 10 per cent.
There is also speculation that former Prime Minister Scott Morrison will soon announce his resignation from parliament, vacating his seat of Cook in southern Sydney.