I want to acknowledge the frustration and disappointment the electorate feels about the events of the past week in Federal Parliament.

I want to thank the hundreds of constituents who have taken the time to call, email and visit my electorate offices in recent days and voice their opinions. I continue to welcome the feedback.

However, the privilege of being an elected member of parliament brings with it a responsibility to be true to your own values and to do what you believe is best for the constituency.

I believe the Government’s policies should clearly reflect the values of our centre-right Liberal Party. Those values include the stout defence of our freedoms, strong support for our small businesses and our Australian industries where we have global advantage, government spending within its means, and minimising government waste so that we can provide essential services to the community and support those who are less privileged.

Resigning my ministry was a very difficult decision, as loyalty to the leader is a value I hold in high regard. I accept there will be a range of views about my decision to resign. I accept that some will see this as an act of disloyalty.

My actions have been taken with the sole aim of securing the re-election of the Coalition Government. I believe the re-election of the Coalition Government is in the best interests of Australia and the people of my electorate.