A senior staffer to Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has resigned after being charged with drug possession and public indecency.

Stephen Ellis appeared before the ACT Magistrates Court this morning charged with an alleged act of indecency and possessing a drug of dependency.

Ellis did not plead and was released on bail to reappear in court again on June 5.

The alleged act of indecency occurred at Canberra Airport on Thursday.

Mr Turnbull has released a statement saying Ellis resigned following his court appearance.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott was asked about the case on Friday morning.

“Look, it’s a personal matter, it’s a private matter and I don’t propose to comment on something which is almost certainly coming before the courts,” he said.

“I just make the general point that when people have personal issues, they should be given all the support and all the encouragement that they possibly can to work through those issues.”