Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy today said he would hand over responsibilities as opposition spokesman for sport, veterans, gaming and liquor regulation, in anticipation of the matters being heard in court.

Police have charged the MP with four counts of making a false document, four counts of use a false document, attempt to obtain property by deception and obtain property by deception.

The charges relate to an alleged fraud in 2009 which occurred while Mr McCurdy worked as a real estate agent and before he had Mr McCurdy assumed office.

Mr McCurdy has forcefully denied the claims.

“I am innocent of these allegations and I await the opportunity to defend myself in court and clear my name,” Mr McCurdy said.

“As I prepare to have these matters heard in court, I am today stepping down from my Shadow Ministry responsibilities.”

He will appear in Shepparton Magistrates Court on April 24.

Victoria Police last year confirmed they were investigating Mr McCurdy following complaints he forged documents to profit from two land sales.

At the time, he was alleged to have falsified a company letterhead to secure sales commissions worth about $375,000 while working as a real estate agent.

Mr McCurdy has stated in the past that he resolved the dispute with the claimant, who was his former employer, through private mediation.

The announcement is a blow for the Victorian Nationals and comes less than six months after its Morwell MP Russell Northe resigned from the party and became an independent, as he seeks treatment for mental health and gambling issues.

Opposition leader Matthew Guy has unveiled a frontbench shake up in the wake of Mr McCurdy’s announcement.

Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien will join Shadow Cabinet and take over responsibilities for Mr McMcCurdy’s portfolios of sport, veterans, gaming and liquor regulation.

Mr Guy has also promoted upper house member Margaret Fitzherbert to chair the opposition’s Victorian Population Policy Taskforce.