West Australian state Nationals MP and former federal party vice-president James Hayward has been charged with multiple child sexual abuse offences.
Hayward, who was elected to WA's parliament earlier this year, is scheduled to face Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday.
The 52-year-old is facing multiple charges relating to an eight-year-old girl, including persistent sexual conduct.
He is in police custody.
Opposition Leader Mia Davies has been contacted for comment.
Hayward, who holds the shadow local government, water and regional cities portfolios, was elected to represent the South West region in the Legislative Council at the March election.
He previously worked as a local councillor in Bunbury and a television journalist and served as the WA Nationals' state president.
Hayward was one of three MPs earlier this year who voted against a government bill to prevent people from picketing within 150 metres of facilities that provide abortion services.
The WA Nationals assumed opposition status after Labor's blowout victory in the March election left the Liberals with two lower house seats.
Under their opposition alliance, the Nationals and Liberals hold a combined 16 seats in the 95-seat parliament.
The West Australian newspaper reported earlier this year that Hayward's television production company, Fiery Productions, had gone into liquidation over an alleged $440,000 tax debt.
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