Deputy Liberal leader Sam Groth under fire for taxpayer-funded car ride from Australian Open

Australia Broadcast Center

4 days ago

A furious senior Liberal MP says Victorian Liberal deputy leader Sam Groth "needs to explain his actions" following revelations he used a taxpayer-funded car to shuttle him and his wife home after a day out at the Australian Open.
The Herald Sun reported the Nepean MP used the chauffeured car of colleague Georgie Crozier to make the 100-kilometre journey home from Melbourne's CBD to Rye on the Mornington Peninsula in January 2024, after allegedly becoming intoxicated at the tournament.
It's also alleged he misled Ms Crozier by telling her he needed the vehicle for a work event.
In his position as the shadow minister for tourism, sport, events and hospitality, Mr Groth regularly attends events in an official capacity, but on this day also held a Coalition fundraiser with Nationals MP Jade Benham.
On Friday Ms Crozier told the ABC that it was also "up to the leadership to explain his actions".
"I think Victorians deserve a lot better," Ms Crozier said.
Mr Groth has rejected any wrongdoing, saying he attended the Australian Open in "both an official capacity and a personal one".
"I was at the event to meet various stakeholders and attend meetings before being part of a fundraising initiative," Mr Groth said.
"The accusations around intoxication are wrong.
"Everything was and is above board. It has all been officially disclosed. There is nothing to hide."
The report comes as the former professional tennis player faces mounting scrutiny over his travel expenses, with a parliamentary allowance report released on Friday revealing taxpayers shelled out $816 for accommodation and $664.51 for flights for a weekend trip to Adelaide from February 14 to 16 this year.
According to the report, Mr Groth had meetings with "key stakeholders to discuss matters relating to my role as Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport, Events and Hospitality". The ABC understands he attended the LIV golf event in Adelaide.
But an Instagram post from Mr Groth at the time appears to show his wife in an airport lounge and jokes about a Valentine's Day trip to Adelaide to attend the golf event. He posted another photo of the carpet of South Australia's parliament the same day.
The records show Mr Groth claimed expenses for Uber trips to and from that parliament to Glenelg on Sunday, February 16, even though parliament does not sit on weekends.
Attending a Liberal fundraiser on Friday, Mr Groth refused to answer questions about the Uber fares and what work he was doing on a Sunday that benefited Victorian taxpayers.
"I've fully disclosed everything I do in this job and continue to do so," Mr Groth said.
An opposition spokesperson later clarified that he was staying at a hotel next to the South Australian parliament and the trip to Glenelg was to meet a stakeholder about a jet ski exclusion zone on that beach.
Victorian Liberal leader Brad Battin has backed Mr Groth — who he promoted to deputy after ousting former leader John Pesutto — rejecting calls for him to resign.
"I'm confident that Sam's followed the rules," Mr Battin said.
He also insisted Mr Groth's trips "passed the pub test".
"We are required to go out and ensure we engage with them, the biggest investors here in our state," Mr Battin said.
"Some of the things like the Grand Prix, the tennis, the football, we go to those events all the time, and it's an expectation on your role in this place."
The scandal has opened up yet another front in a bitter internal war within the Victorian Liberals. Some MPs are furious with Mr Groth, and Mr Battin for standing by him.
But others say the fault lies with Ms Crozier for loaning her car.
"If Georgie had any integrity she'd resign from shadow cabinet,'' one senior Liberal said.
The party is already deeply divided over the fate of former leader John Pesutto who owes fellow Liberal Moira Deeming $2.3 million in legal costs from a defamation defeat.
The deadline to pay is Friday, but the ABC understands he will not be able to make payment yet.
It means that Ms Deeming's lawyers can begin bankruptcy proceedings should she choose.