While acting Labor leader Tanya Plibersek has slammed former federal ministers Jamie Briggs and Mal Brough for taking so long to resign, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has tweeted his support for his "good friend Jamie".
Mr Briggs resigned from the federal frontbench over an "error of professional judgment" involving a female public servant while Special Minister for State, Defence Materiel and Science Mr Brough also stepped down from his portfolio while a police investigation into his involvement in the James Ashby and Peter Slipper case is conducted.
Ms Plibersek said both men should have resigned when their respective incidents first took place instead of waiting "until this quiet period between Christmas and New Year".
"The government has saved all this bad news up until a day when they hoped no-one was watching," she said.
"It shows a degree of cynicism that is quite shocking."
She accused the government of accepting the resignations on Tuesday to cover up for unpopular announcements this week about cuts to Medicare and Gonski education funding.
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Mr Briggs, who is married with three children, stepped down as Minister for Cities and Built Environment in the Turnbull government on Tuesday after the public servant raised concerns about his behaviour following dinner and drinks with Mr Briggs and his chief of staff during an overseas trip.
"Nothing illegal has been alleged or in fact did occur," he told reporters in Adelaide.
The incident occurred during an official visit to Hong Kong in a "very crowded bar", Mr Briggs said.
He said the public servant went home after the gathering and made a complaint in the days following.
"I've apologised directly to her but after careful reflection about the concerns she raised and the fact that I was at a bar late at night while on an overseas visit, I have concluded this behaviour has not met the particularly high standards for ministers."
In a statement Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he was "disappointed" by the conduct that led to Mr Briggs' resignation.
"I look forward to Mr Briggs continuing to make a valuable contribution to the work of the government in the future," he said.
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Mr Brough is facing a police investigation into whether he asked James Ashby, a former staffer of Peter Slipper, to copy the former Speaker's diary.
He has come under fire after federal police executed a search warrant at his home over the James Ashby affair and has faced repeated calls from Labor for his resignation.
Mr Brough has categorically denied any wrongdoing in relation to the Ashby affair, despite telling the 60 Minutes program last year that he asked Mr Ashby to procure copies of the diary.
In relation to Mr Brough's resignation, Mr Turnbull said: "In offering to stand aside Mr Brough has done the right thing, recognising the importance of the government maintaining an unwavering focus on jobs, economic growth and security".
Ms Plibersek said the announcement of both resignations on the same day was an attempt by the government to "take out the trash" before heading to an early election in 2016.
"[Mr Turnbull] was hoping Australia wouldn't notice he was trying to slide back into government without scrutiny," she said.
"The Prime Minister is responsible for the conduct of his ministers, he is responsible for cuts to Medicare, he is responsible for cuts to education."
Environment Minister Greg Hunt will cover for Mr Briggs, Finance Minister Mathais Cormann while act as Special Minister for State and Defence Minister Marise Payne will act as Minister for Defence Materiel and Science.
Mr Briggs was forced to admit last month that he injured his knee trying to tackle former Prime Minister Tony Abbott at a party after Mr Turnbull won the Liberal leadership.
However he denied being involved in the destruction of a marble table in the Prime Minister's offices.
A marble table in a room off the cabinet suite in Parliament House was broken during a party on the night Tony Abbott was rolled as Liberal leader. Source: AAP
