A state premier has been blindsided by a federal police probe into a senior minister, saying he found out about the investigation after media broke the news.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said he was passed a note in a budget meeting telling him Tim Mander had been reported to the Australian Federal Police about enrolment status concerns, a day after the minister was informed.
Mr Mander - the Olympics minister - announced late on Thursday he would stand aside from cabinet as federal police decided whether to launch a full-blown probe.
He had been investigated after enrolling to vote at a staffer's home during the breakdown of his 40‑plus year marriage.
The Australian Electoral Commission referred the matter to federal police on Tuesday, and Mr Mander was reportedly informed on Wednesday night, while on a ministerial visit to New Zealand, but did not tell the premier.
