NSW Nationals MP resigns over shoving incident
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'Inappropriate': Andrew Fraser brushes away Katrina Hodgkinson. (ABC TV: NSW State Parliament vision)
New South Wales Nationals MP Andrew Fraser has resigned from the Opposition frontbench after shoving a colleague in a late night session of Parliament.
The Member for Coffs Harbour was involved in a heated conversation with Labor MP John Aquilina last night when a colleague, Katrina Hodgkinson, placed a hand on his shoulder and attempted to pull him away.
Mr Fraser explained his version of events to Parliament this morning.
"I brushed my colleague's arm aside inappropriately," he said.
"As a result, I've apologised to my colleague and I apologised to the [Lower] House. I've offered my resignation as shadow minister to the Leader of the Opposition, Barry O'Farrell."
Mr O'Farrell says he has accepted Mr Fraser's resignation in line with his determination to raise standards in public life.
The Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly is investigating the incident that was captured by house cameras.
Previous offender
Mr Fraser was suspended from Parliament for eight weeks in 2005 for trying to throttle Labor MP Joe Tripodi.
He later apologised and blamed his actions on his frustration with the Government's lack of action in preventing deaths on the Pacific Highway.
The premier at the time, Morris Iemma, labelled him a "disgrace to democracy".
Mr Fraser eventually regained the position of Nationals deputy leader, but was dumped in favour of Adrian Piccoli six weeks ago in the wake of the party's loss in the Port Macquarie by-election.
He has now resigned as Opposition spokesman on Primary Industries, Road Safety and Rural Affairs.
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