A Nationals MP has quit the frontbench, after he was accused of inappropriate behaviour while on an overseas work trip.

Andrew Broad has resigned as Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister after New Idea magazine published allegations the married MP used a dating website to meet up with a younger woman while on a taxpayer-funded trip to Hong Kong.

It’s believed Mr Broad has referred the allegations to Federal Police.

In a statement, Nationals Leader Michael McCormack says Mr Broad will remain in parliament but given the nature of the allegations, his resignation is appropriate.

Nationals MP Andrew Broad has resigned as Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister after a woman accused him of inappropriate behaviour while on an overseas trip @2GB873 @3AW693 @NewsTalk4BC @6PR @1395FIVEaa #auspol pic.twitter.com/fCNPtgpyhh

— Roshai Murdoch (@roshaimurdoch) December 17, 2018

The scandal comes on the same day the Morrison government announced it was on track to deliver the first budget surplus in a decade.