Victorian Liberal MP Tim Smith resigns after being caught drink-driving

Senior Victorian Liberal MP Tim Smith has resigned from the shadow cabinet after he was caught drink driving on his way home from a dinner last night.

Mr Smith issued a statement this afternoon announcing his withdrawal from the shadow cabinet, saying he "made a serious error of judgement".

He returned an evidentiary breath test reading of 0.131 — more than two and a half times over the legal limit — after he was behind the wheel during a crash.

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According to police, emergency services were called to Power Street in Hawthorn after 8.55pm following reports a car had struck another vehicle then crashed into a fence.

"The driver of the vehicle, a 38-year-old Kew man, tested positive for alcohol and was taken to a police station where he returned an evidentiary breath test reading of 0.131," police said in a statement.

"The man had his licence immediately suspended and will receive an infringement notice for exceed prescribed concentration of alcohol."

No one was injured in the incident.

In his statement, Mr Smith said he believed he was under 0.05.

"Last night I made a serious error of judgement," the statement reads.

"After dinner with friends I believed I was under the legal limit to drive home."

Mr Smith said he had been fined and his licence had been suspended for 12 months.

"I apologise to my constituents, my colleagues, my family and the people of Victoria who expect their elected representatives to uphold the highest standards of behaviour.

"Today I tendered my resignation from the Shadow Cabinet to the Leader of the Opposition, which he has accepted."

Opposition leader Matthew Guy condemned Mr Smith's actions.

"I remain exceedingly angry and disappointed with Tim Smith's actions and have conveyed my thoughts to him in no uncertain terms," Mr Guy said in a statement.

He announced changes to the shadow cabinet to make up for Mr Smith's departure.

David Southwick will take on the finance portfolio and Matt Bach will be appointed to the role of Shadow Attorney General.

"These changes will ensure the recovery of lives and livelihoods remains front and centre, as Victoria rebuilds after 18 months in and out of harsh COVID lockdowns," Mr Guy said.