The National Party will chose its candidate for Mallee on Saturday

Mr Broad withdrew his nomination for the seat, following allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

“From the ground, there is some frustration with what happened, that we have had to go through that process,” Mr Pankhurst said.

Mr Broad said after recent media stories about his private life, it was clear the people of Mallee would be best served by a different Nationals candidate. 

“I have done my best and at times we have achieved good things, but I have also let them down,” he said.

A woman, reported to be 20 years younger than Mr Broad, reportedly met with the married MP her after a month of correspondence that began through a dating website, during a taxpayer-funded trip to Hong Kong.

Six people, including two women, have nominated for preselection; the candidate will be chosen at a meeting in Birchip, on Saturday. The candidates are Toby Heil (Irymple), Bernadette Hogan (Birchip), Daniel Linklater (Gol Gol), Paul Matheson (Mildura), Shane McGrath (Horsham) and Anne Webster (Cabarita). 

Candidate forums are being held in Mildura, Swan Hill, Horsham and St Arnaud. Mr Pankhurst said candidates would present their credentials to members at the forums.

“The size of the electorate is the reason why we are having four meetings,” he said.

The candidate would be chosen on Saturday, through an exhaustive preferential ballot.

Mr Pankhurst said the party wasn’t concerned at a potential three cornered contest, with the Liberal Party and independents expected to field candidates. 

“It’s part of the political environment at the moment. It’s the result of circumstances, where we have a very close parliament,” he said. 

The Nationals were not overly worried by independents, even though incumbent Peter Crisp lost the seat of Mildura to one at the recent state election. 

“It’ll be interesting to see how the (State) government reacts, now they are not relying on independents, and how much they deliver for a seat,” he said.