Prime Minister Scott Morrison has backed MP George Christensen, who has accused political rivals of peddling a "disgusting smear campaign" against him.
It was reported last week that an unnamed government MP had made frequent trips to "seedy" parts of Southeast Asia, causing the Australian Federal Police to become concerned he could be subject to blackmail.
But Mr Christensen hit back on Saturday insisting any trips he made to Asia were to meet with his fiancee and her family, and also for philanthropic purposes.
"This whole matter is vile and defamatory, and impacts not only me, but my fiancee and my loyal staff who have been abused and threatened because of this putrid smear campaign," he wrote on Facebook.
He said he was told the allegations were made to the AFP by a "senior Labor MP" and a "former senior government MP" along with their senior ex-staffer.
News Corp Australia on Friday alleged the un-named government MP had sent money to multiple accounts in the region, with checks revealing he was visiting "dangerous" neighbourhoods "notorious for prostitution and drugs".
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, on Sunday, said Mr Christensen's explanation behind the travel was "very clear" and "spoke for itself".
He criticised political rivals for keeping the issue alive.
"I think George has made it pretty clear about what the nature of those events were," Mr Morrison told reporters in Sydney on Sunday.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it was "grubby" of the Labor Party to keep the issue going. Source: AAP
"I think it's disappointing even as recently as yesterday the Labor Party seemed to be wanting to kick it along. I just thought it was pretty grubby."
Mr Morrison said he wasn't "familiar" with government members betraying Mr Christensen.
The Prime Minister also refused to divulge if he was aware of any AFP investigations into Mr Christensen or any other matter.
The federal opposition on Friday said it was "extremely concerned" by reports the MP could be open to blackmail over their frequent trips to parts of Southeast Asia.
Speaking before Mr Christensen issued his statement, shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus said the government had to come clean as to how much it knew about an AFP investigation.
Mr Christensen said he had never been interviewed by the AFP, who he said had told him there was no evidence or information to support allegations made against him.
But News Corp on Saturday reported the investigations into his conduct had begun several months before the Labor referral to the federal police.
