The Labor MP in South Australia state, who cannot be named due to automatic suppression orders on such charges, was arrested at his Adelaide home on Wednesday.
He was charged with one count of possessing child pornography, one aggravated count of possessing child pornography and two counts of taking steps to access child pornography.
Police told the Adelaide Advertiser newspaper that his arrest was the result of the Sexual Crime Investigation Branch`s "Operation Decimate", which targets people who use the Internet for child exploitation-related offences.
The man was released on bail and would appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on May 20.
South Australian Premier Mike Rann, already struggling with slumping support for his government, said he would issue a statement after being fully briefed.
(U.KR-IFB/H-AK)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
