Scandals see Australia ministers Mal Brough and Jamie Briggs resign

Two Australian cabinet ministers have resigned over unrelated scandals. Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs quit after a public servant complained about his behaviour at a Hong Kong bar. Special Minister of State Mal Brough quit pending a police inquiry into his role in another politician's downfall. With two front bench cabinet positions to fill in a day, this is the first major setback to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull since he took office. Standards 'not met' Mr Briggs said he went to a crowded bar after dinner while on a trip to Hong Kong in late November with his chief of staff, some officials and a female public servant. Advertisement "At no point was it my intention to act inappropriately and I'm obliged to note for the record that nothing illegal has been alleged or did in fact occur," he said in a statement. "However, in the days following the evening the public servant raised a concern about the appropriateness of my behaviour towards her at the venue.