Latest news with #Battin
The Advertiser
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Tennis star Liberal MP denies taxpayer-funded car rort
A tennis ace turned Liberal hot shot is staring down calls to quit, rejecting allegations of a drunken taxpayer-funded car rort. Victorian Liberal deputy Sam Groth used then-opposition upper house leader Georgie Crozier's chauffeur-driven vehicle to take him and his wife home from the Australian Open in January 2024. The trip from Melbourne Park to Rye on the Mornington Peninsula is about 100km. The former tennis player, who reached a career high singles ranking of world No.53 in 2015, had earlier hosted a political fundraiser with Nationals MP Jade Benham. Mr Groth and Ms Benham, along with their respective spouses, then entered a party zone inside the tennis precinct, the Herald Sun reports. The former Davis Cup representative was accused of getting "smashed" and misleading Ms Crozier by telling her he wanted to borrow the car for a work event. He was shadow minister for tourism, sport and events at the time and elected the party's deputy leader in December after John Pesutto lost the leadership to Brad Battin. In a statement on Friday, Mr Groth confirmed he attended the event in both an official and personal capacity. "I was at the event to meet various stakeholders and attend meetings before being part of a fundraising initiative," he said. "The accusations around intoxication are wrong." Mr Groth argued it was all officially disclosed and he had "nothing to hide", but the travel allowance entry on his register of interest does not specifically mention the fundraiser. The Nepean MP said he looked forward to continuing his work. Mr Battin firmly stood by his deputy when asked if he should resign. "I'm confident that Sam has followed the rules," he told reporters on Friday. "Going to the events does pass the pub test." Victoria's ministerial code of conduct says public resources must not be used for "improper personal or private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person", or for political party purposes. "Ministers must only use public resources in connection with public duties and must not waste public resources," it reads. One senior Liberal said Mr Groth's actions didn't pass the "pub test" - directly contradicting Mr Battin - and questioned how he could continue as deputy leader. "It's unacceptable full stop," they told AAP. "How can he go on when all it will do is give Labor an instant response every time we criticise the government for waste and mismanagement." Another senior Liberal said "obfuscation was not an answer" and Mr Groth should investigate repaying the cost of the trip. The travel expenses drama dredges up memories of the Patch and Ted scandal that dogged the Victorian Labor government in its first term. In 2016, Labor MP Steve Herbert resigned as training and skills minister after using his taxpayer-funded driver to chauffeur his two dogs, Patch and Ted, between his Melbourne and Trentham homes. The dogs were driven without Mr Herbert in the car and he paid back $192.80 in travel expenses, before quitting parliament in 2017. The Victorian Liberals are already dealing with the internal fallout of first-term MP Moira Deeming's defamation trial victory over Mr Pesutto. Mrs Deeming said she was preparing to file a bankruptcy notice against Mr Pesutto on Friday after a court ordered him to pay $2.3 million in legal costs. The proceedings would leave Mr Pesutto with 21 days to pay up or declare bankruptcy, forcing him to leave parliament and triggering a by-election in his marginal seat of Hawthorn in Melbourne's east. A tennis ace turned Liberal hot shot is staring down calls to quit, rejecting allegations of a drunken taxpayer-funded car rort. Victorian Liberal deputy Sam Groth used then-opposition upper house leader Georgie Crozier's chauffeur-driven vehicle to take him and his wife home from the Australian Open in January 2024. The trip from Melbourne Park to Rye on the Mornington Peninsula is about 100km. The former tennis player, who reached a career high singles ranking of world No.53 in 2015, had earlier hosted a political fundraiser with Nationals MP Jade Benham. Mr Groth and Ms Benham, along with their respective spouses, then entered a party zone inside the tennis precinct, the Herald Sun reports. The former Davis Cup representative was accused of getting "smashed" and misleading Ms Crozier by telling her he wanted to borrow the car for a work event. He was shadow minister for tourism, sport and events at the time and elected the party's deputy leader in December after John Pesutto lost the leadership to Brad Battin. In a statement on Friday, Mr Groth confirmed he attended the event in both an official and personal capacity. "I was at the event to meet various stakeholders and attend meetings before being part of a fundraising initiative," he said. "The accusations around intoxication are wrong." Mr Groth argued it was all officially disclosed and he had "nothing to hide", but the travel allowance entry on his register of interest does not specifically mention the fundraiser. The Nepean MP said he looked forward to continuing his work. Mr Battin firmly stood by his deputy when asked if he should resign. "I'm confident that Sam has followed the rules," he told reporters on Friday. "Going to the events does pass the pub test." Victoria's ministerial code of conduct says public resources must not be used for "improper personal or private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person", or for political party purposes. "Ministers must only use public resources in connection with public duties and must not waste public resources," it reads. One senior Liberal said Mr Groth's actions didn't pass the "pub test" - directly contradicting Mr Battin - and questioned how he could continue as deputy leader. "It's unacceptable full stop," they told AAP. "How can he go on when all it will do is give Labor an instant response every time we criticise the government for waste and mismanagement." Another senior Liberal said "obfuscation was not an answer" and Mr Groth should investigate repaying the cost of the trip. The travel expenses drama dredges up memories of the Patch and Ted scandal that dogged the Victorian Labor government in its first term. In 2016, Labor MP Steve Herbert resigned as training and skills minister after using his taxpayer-funded driver to chauffeur his two dogs, Patch and Ted, between his Melbourne and Trentham homes. The dogs were driven without Mr Herbert in the car and he paid back $192.80 in travel expenses, before quitting parliament in 2017. The Victorian Liberals are already dealing with the internal fallout of first-term MP Moira Deeming's defamation trial victory over Mr Pesutto. Mrs Deeming said she was preparing to file a bankruptcy notice against Mr Pesutto on Friday after a court ordered him to pay $2.3 million in legal costs. The proceedings would leave Mr Pesutto with 21 days to pay up or declare bankruptcy, forcing him to leave parliament and triggering a by-election in his marginal seat of Hawthorn in Melbourne's east. A tennis ace turned Liberal hot shot is staring down calls to quit, rejecting allegations of a drunken taxpayer-funded car rort. Victorian Liberal deputy Sam Groth used then-opposition upper house leader Georgie Crozier's chauffeur-driven vehicle to take him and his wife home from the Australian Open in January 2024. The trip from Melbourne Park to Rye on the Mornington Peninsula is about 100km. The former tennis player, who reached a career high singles ranking of world No.53 in 2015, had earlier hosted a political fundraiser with Nationals MP Jade Benham. Mr Groth and Ms Benham, along with their respective spouses, then entered a party zone inside the tennis precinct, the Herald Sun reports. The former Davis Cup representative was accused of getting "smashed" and misleading Ms Crozier by telling her he wanted to borrow the car for a work event. He was shadow minister for tourism, sport and events at the time and elected the party's deputy leader in December after John Pesutto lost the leadership to Brad Battin. In a statement on Friday, Mr Groth confirmed he attended the event in both an official and personal capacity. "I was at the event to meet various stakeholders and attend meetings before being part of a fundraising initiative," he said. "The accusations around intoxication are wrong." Mr Groth argued it was all officially disclosed and he had "nothing to hide", but the travel allowance entry on his register of interest does not specifically mention the fundraiser. The Nepean MP said he looked forward to continuing his work. Mr Battin firmly stood by his deputy when asked if he should resign. "I'm confident that Sam has followed the rules," he told reporters on Friday. "Going to the events does pass the pub test." Victoria's ministerial code of conduct says public resources must not be used for "improper personal or private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person", or for political party purposes. "Ministers must only use public resources in connection with public duties and must not waste public resources," it reads. One senior Liberal said Mr Groth's actions didn't pass the "pub test" - directly contradicting Mr Battin - and questioned how he could continue as deputy leader. "It's unacceptable full stop," they told AAP. "How can he go on when all it will do is give Labor an instant response every time we criticise the government for waste and mismanagement." Another senior Liberal said "obfuscation was not an answer" and Mr Groth should investigate repaying the cost of the trip. The travel expenses drama dredges up memories of the Patch and Ted scandal that dogged the Victorian Labor government in its first term. In 2016, Labor MP Steve Herbert resigned as training and skills minister after using his taxpayer-funded driver to chauffeur his two dogs, Patch and Ted, between his Melbourne and Trentham homes. The dogs were driven without Mr Herbert in the car and he paid back $192.80 in travel expenses, before quitting parliament in 2017. The Victorian Liberals are already dealing with the internal fallout of first-term MP Moira Deeming's defamation trial victory over Mr Pesutto. Mrs Deeming said she was preparing to file a bankruptcy notice against Mr Pesutto on Friday after a court ordered him to pay $2.3 million in legal costs. The proceedings would leave Mr Pesutto with 21 days to pay up or declare bankruptcy, forcing him to leave parliament and triggering a by-election in his marginal seat of Hawthorn in Melbourne's east. A tennis ace turned Liberal hot shot is staring down calls to quit, rejecting allegations of a drunken taxpayer-funded car rort. Victorian Liberal deputy Sam Groth used then-opposition upper house leader Georgie Crozier's chauffeur-driven vehicle to take him and his wife home from the Australian Open in January 2024. The trip from Melbourne Park to Rye on the Mornington Peninsula is about 100km. The former tennis player, who reached a career high singles ranking of world No.53 in 2015, had earlier hosted a political fundraiser with Nationals MP Jade Benham. Mr Groth and Ms Benham, along with their respective spouses, then entered a party zone inside the tennis precinct, the Herald Sun reports. The former Davis Cup representative was accused of getting "smashed" and misleading Ms Crozier by telling her he wanted to borrow the car for a work event. He was shadow minister for tourism, sport and events at the time and elected the party's deputy leader in December after John Pesutto lost the leadership to Brad Battin. In a statement on Friday, Mr Groth confirmed he attended the event in both an official and personal capacity. "I was at the event to meet various stakeholders and attend meetings before being part of a fundraising initiative," he said. "The accusations around intoxication are wrong." Mr Groth argued it was all officially disclosed and he had "nothing to hide", but the travel allowance entry on his register of interest does not specifically mention the fundraiser. The Nepean MP said he looked forward to continuing his work. Mr Battin firmly stood by his deputy when asked if he should resign. "I'm confident that Sam has followed the rules," he told reporters on Friday. "Going to the events does pass the pub test." Victoria's ministerial code of conduct says public resources must not be used for "improper personal or private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person", or for political party purposes. "Ministers must only use public resources in connection with public duties and must not waste public resources," it reads. One senior Liberal said Mr Groth's actions didn't pass the "pub test" - directly contradicting Mr Battin - and questioned how he could continue as deputy leader. "It's unacceptable full stop," they told AAP. "How can he go on when all it will do is give Labor an instant response every time we criticise the government for waste and mismanagement." Another senior Liberal said "obfuscation was not an answer" and Mr Groth should investigate repaying the cost of the trip. The travel expenses drama dredges up memories of the Patch and Ted scandal that dogged the Victorian Labor government in its first term. In 2016, Labor MP Steve Herbert resigned as training and skills minister after using his taxpayer-funded driver to chauffeur his two dogs, Patch and Ted, between his Melbourne and Trentham homes. The dogs were driven without Mr Herbert in the car and he paid back $192.80 in travel expenses, before quitting parliament in 2017. The Victorian Liberals are already dealing with the internal fallout of first-term MP Moira Deeming's defamation trial victory over Mr Pesutto. Mrs Deeming said she was preparing to file a bankruptcy notice against Mr Pesutto on Friday after a court ordered him to pay $2.3 million in legal costs. The proceedings would leave Mr Pesutto with 21 days to pay up or declare bankruptcy, forcing him to leave parliament and triggering a by-election in his marginal seat of Hawthorn in Melbourne's east.
7NEWS
30-05-2025
- Politics
- 7NEWS
Victorian Liberal deputy Sam Groth stares down to calls to quit amid taxpayer-funded drunk ride scandal
A tennis ace turned Liberal hot shot is staring down calls to quit, rejecting allegations of a drunken taxpayer-funded car rort. Victorian Liberal deputy Sam Groth used then-opposition upper house leader Georgie Crozier's chauffeur-driven vehicle to take him and his wife home from the Australian Open in January 2024. The trip from Melbourne Park to Rye on the Mornington Peninsula is about 100km. The former tennis player, who reached a career high singles ranking of world No.53 in 2015, had earlier hosted a political fundraiser with Nationals MP Jade Benham. Groth and Benham, along with their respective spouses, then entered a party zone inside the tennis precinct, the Herald Sun reports. The former Davis Cup representative was accused of getting 'smashed' and misleading Crozier by telling her he wanted to borrow the car for a work event. He was shadow minister for tourism, sport and events at the time and elected the party's deputy leader in December after John Pesutto lost the leadership to Brad Battin. In a statement on Friday, Groth confirmed he attended the event in both an official and personal capacity. 'I was at the event to meet various stakeholders and attend meetings before being part of a fundraising initiative,' he said. 'The accusations around intoxication are wrong.' Groth argued it was all officially disclosed and he had 'nothing to hide', but the travel allowance entry on his register of interest does not specifically mention the fundraiser. The Nepean MP said he looked forward to continuing his work. Battin firmly stood by his deputy when asked if he should resign. 'I'm confident that Sam has followed the rules,' he told reporters on Friday. 'Going to the events does pass the pub test.' Victoria's ministerial code of conduct says public resources must not be used for 'improper personal or private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person', or for political party purposes. 'Ministers must only use public resources in connection with public duties and must not waste public resources,' it reads. One senior Liberal said Groth's actions didn't pass the 'pub test' — directly contradicting Battin — and questioned how he could continue as deputy leader. 'It's unacceptable full stop,' they told AAP. 'How can he go on when all it will do is give Labor an instant response every time we criticise the government for waste and mismanagement.' Another senior Liberal said 'obfuscation was not an answer' and Groth should investigate repaying the cost of the trip. The travel expenses drama dredges up memories of the Patch and Ted scandal that dogged the Victorian Labor government in its first term. In 2016, Labor MP Steve Herbert resigned as training and skills minister after using his taxpayer-funded driver to chauffeur his two dogs, Patch and Ted, between his Melbourne and Trentham homes. The dogs were driven without Herbert in the car and he paid back $192.80 in travel expenses, before quitting parliament in 2017. The Victorian Liberals are already dealing with the internal fallout of first-term MP Moira Deeming's defamation trial victory over Pesutto. Deeming said she was preparing to file a bankruptcy notice against Pesutto on Friday after a court ordered him to pay $2.3 million in legal costs. The proceedings would leave Pesutto with 21 days to pay up or declare bankruptcy, forcing him to leave parliament and triggering a by-election in his marginal seat of Hawthorn in Melbourne's east.
Perth Now
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Tennis star Liberal MP denies taxpayer-funded car rort
A tennis ace turned Liberal hot shot is staring down calls to quit, rejecting allegations of a drunken taxpayer-funded car rort. Victorian Liberal deputy Sam Groth used then-opposition upper house leader Georgie Crozier's chauffeur-driven vehicle to take him and his wife home from the Australian Open in January 2024. The trip from Melbourne Park to Rye on the Mornington Peninsula is about 100km. The former tennis player, who reached a career high singles ranking of world No.53 in 2015, had earlier hosted a political fundraiser with Nationals MP Jade Benham. Mr Groth and Ms Benham, along with their respective spouses, then entered a party zone inside the tennis precinct, the Herald Sun reports. The former Davis Cup representative was accused of getting "smashed" and misleading Ms Crozier by telling her he wanted to borrow the car for a work event. He was shadow minister for tourism, sport and events at the time and elected the party's deputy leader in December after John Pesutto lost the leadership to Brad Battin. In a statement on Friday, Mr Groth confirmed he attended the event in both an official and personal capacity. "I was at the event to meet various stakeholders and attend meetings before being part of a fundraising initiative," he said. "The accusations around intoxication are wrong." Mr Groth argued it was all officially disclosed and he had "nothing to hide", but the travel allowance entry on his register of interest does not specifically mention the fundraiser. The Nepean MP said he looked forward to continuing his work. Mr Battin firmly stood by his deputy when asked if he should resign. "I'm confident that Sam has followed the rules," he told reporters on Friday. "Going to the events does pass the pub test." Victoria's ministerial code of conduct says public resources must not be used for "improper personal or private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person", or for political party purposes. "Ministers must only use public resources in connection with public duties and must not waste public resources," it reads. One senior Liberal said Mr Groth's actions didn't pass the "pub test" - directly contradicting Mr Battin - and questioned how he could continue as deputy leader. "It's unacceptable full stop," they told AAP. "How can he go on when all it will do is give Labor an instant response every time we criticise the government for waste and mismanagement." Another senior Liberal said "obfuscation was not an answer" and Mr Groth should investigate repaying the cost of the trip. The travel expenses drama dredges up memories of the Patch and Ted scandal that dogged the Victorian Labor government in its first term. In 2016, Labor MP Steve Herbert resigned as training and skills minister after using his taxpayer-funded driver to chauffeur his two dogs, Patch and Ted, between his Melbourne and Trentham homes. The dogs were driven without Mr Herbert in the car and he paid back $192.80 in travel expenses, before quitting parliament in 2017. The Victorian Liberals are already dealing with the internal fallout of first-term MP Moira Deeming's defamation trial victory over Mr Pesutto. Mrs Deeming said she was preparing to file a bankruptcy notice against Mr Pesutto on Friday after a court ordered him to pay $2.3 million in legal costs. The proceedings would leave Mr Pesutto with 21 days to pay up or declare bankruptcy, forcing him to leave parliament and triggering a by-election in his marginal seat of Hawthorn in Melbourne's east.
The Advertiser
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Cow manure delivery stunt lands MPs in steaming mess
Two MPs have been referred to a misconduct body after cow manure was dumped at a state premier's office, as their leader refuses to condemn the stunt. A farmer delivered the package to Premier Jacinta Allan's office inside Victoria's parliament house on Tuesday during a protest at the building's entrance against an emergency services levy. A note on the vacuum-sealed dung package read: "Dearest Jacinta, I have considered your levy and here's my feedback, it's bulls***. Love Brutus + family". Legislative Council President Shaun Leane says two MPs have been referred to an independent body that investigates claims of parliamentary misconduct. The Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission will decide whether to take the matter further. "Surely we can't get to the point where it's commonplace that differences in policies ... that MPs in opposition to those policies usher angry stakeholders to other MPs parliament offices front doors with boxes full of turds," Mr Leane said in a statement on Friday. He said the presiding officers found the incident "very disappointing". Ms Allan said staff directly affected by the incident felt unsafe at their workplace. "The behaviour on Tuesday breached workplace safety standards and also, too, it was a significant breach of community expectations in how members of parliament should behave," Ms Allan told reporters in Geelong on Friday. Manager of government business Mary-Anne Thomas has accused Liberal MPs Bev McArthur and Nicole Werner of facilitating the placing of the "offensive prop". Mrs McArthur confirmed she was with the farmer when the package was delivered, describing it as a "harmless stunt". "Labor MPs are acting like they've never seen cow s*** before - maybe they don't get out of Melbourne much," the shadow cabinet member said in a statement. Opposition Leader Brad Battin has refused to condemn the incident, describing it as "internally focused". "I'm genuinely concerned that the premier is trying to make this the biggest issue for herself, rather than talking about Victorian community," Mr Battin told reporters at parliament on Friday. "We need to start thinking about what's happening outside these doors, not inside". The new levy is set to raise an extra $2.1 billion for emergency services when it replaces the Fire Services Property Levy from July 1. The average annual bill was predicted to jump by $63 for residential home owners and $678 for primary producers, but rebates will be available for volunteers or life members of the CFA and SES. The Victorian government also promised a lower rate for primary production land and partial rebates for drought-affected farmers. Mr Battin has pledged to scrap the levy if the coalition wins government at the next state election in November 2026. Two MPs have been referred to a misconduct body after cow manure was dumped at a state premier's office, as their leader refuses to condemn the stunt. A farmer delivered the package to Premier Jacinta Allan's office inside Victoria's parliament house on Tuesday during a protest at the building's entrance against an emergency services levy. A note on the vacuum-sealed dung package read: "Dearest Jacinta, I have considered your levy and here's my feedback, it's bulls***. Love Brutus + family". Legislative Council President Shaun Leane says two MPs have been referred to an independent body that investigates claims of parliamentary misconduct. The Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission will decide whether to take the matter further. "Surely we can't get to the point where it's commonplace that differences in policies ... that MPs in opposition to those policies usher angry stakeholders to other MPs parliament offices front doors with boxes full of turds," Mr Leane said in a statement on Friday. He said the presiding officers found the incident "very disappointing". Ms Allan said staff directly affected by the incident felt unsafe at their workplace. "The behaviour on Tuesday breached workplace safety standards and also, too, it was a significant breach of community expectations in how members of parliament should behave," Ms Allan told reporters in Geelong on Friday. Manager of government business Mary-Anne Thomas has accused Liberal MPs Bev McArthur and Nicole Werner of facilitating the placing of the "offensive prop". Mrs McArthur confirmed she was with the farmer when the package was delivered, describing it as a "harmless stunt". "Labor MPs are acting like they've never seen cow s*** before - maybe they don't get out of Melbourne much," the shadow cabinet member said in a statement. Opposition Leader Brad Battin has refused to condemn the incident, describing it as "internally focused". "I'm genuinely concerned that the premier is trying to make this the biggest issue for herself, rather than talking about Victorian community," Mr Battin told reporters at parliament on Friday. "We need to start thinking about what's happening outside these doors, not inside". The new levy is set to raise an extra $2.1 billion for emergency services when it replaces the Fire Services Property Levy from July 1. The average annual bill was predicted to jump by $63 for residential home owners and $678 for primary producers, but rebates will be available for volunteers or life members of the CFA and SES. The Victorian government also promised a lower rate for primary production land and partial rebates for drought-affected farmers. Mr Battin has pledged to scrap the levy if the coalition wins government at the next state election in November 2026. Two MPs have been referred to a misconduct body after cow manure was dumped at a state premier's office, as their leader refuses to condemn the stunt. A farmer delivered the package to Premier Jacinta Allan's office inside Victoria's parliament house on Tuesday during a protest at the building's entrance against an emergency services levy. A note on the vacuum-sealed dung package read: "Dearest Jacinta, I have considered your levy and here's my feedback, it's bulls***. Love Brutus + family". Legislative Council President Shaun Leane says two MPs have been referred to an independent body that investigates claims of parliamentary misconduct. The Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission will decide whether to take the matter further. "Surely we can't get to the point where it's commonplace that differences in policies ... that MPs in opposition to those policies usher angry stakeholders to other MPs parliament offices front doors with boxes full of turds," Mr Leane said in a statement on Friday. He said the presiding officers found the incident "very disappointing". Ms Allan said staff directly affected by the incident felt unsafe at their workplace. "The behaviour on Tuesday breached workplace safety standards and also, too, it was a significant breach of community expectations in how members of parliament should behave," Ms Allan told reporters in Geelong on Friday. Manager of government business Mary-Anne Thomas has accused Liberal MPs Bev McArthur and Nicole Werner of facilitating the placing of the "offensive prop". Mrs McArthur confirmed she was with the farmer when the package was delivered, describing it as a "harmless stunt". "Labor MPs are acting like they've never seen cow s*** before - maybe they don't get out of Melbourne much," the shadow cabinet member said in a statement. Opposition Leader Brad Battin has refused to condemn the incident, describing it as "internally focused". "I'm genuinely concerned that the premier is trying to make this the biggest issue for herself, rather than talking about Victorian community," Mr Battin told reporters at parliament on Friday. "We need to start thinking about what's happening outside these doors, not inside". The new levy is set to raise an extra $2.1 billion for emergency services when it replaces the Fire Services Property Levy from July 1. The average annual bill was predicted to jump by $63 for residential home owners and $678 for primary producers, but rebates will be available for volunteers or life members of the CFA and SES. The Victorian government also promised a lower rate for primary production land and partial rebates for drought-affected farmers. Mr Battin has pledged to scrap the levy if the coalition wins government at the next state election in November 2026. Two MPs have been referred to a misconduct body after cow manure was dumped at a state premier's office, as their leader refuses to condemn the stunt. A farmer delivered the package to Premier Jacinta Allan's office inside Victoria's parliament house on Tuesday during a protest at the building's entrance against an emergency services levy. A note on the vacuum-sealed dung package read: "Dearest Jacinta, I have considered your levy and here's my feedback, it's bulls***. Love Brutus + family". Legislative Council President Shaun Leane says two MPs have been referred to an independent body that investigates claims of parliamentary misconduct. The Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission will decide whether to take the matter further. "Surely we can't get to the point where it's commonplace that differences in policies ... that MPs in opposition to those policies usher angry stakeholders to other MPs parliament offices front doors with boxes full of turds," Mr Leane said in a statement on Friday. He said the presiding officers found the incident "very disappointing". Ms Allan said staff directly affected by the incident felt unsafe at their workplace. "The behaviour on Tuesday breached workplace safety standards and also, too, it was a significant breach of community expectations in how members of parliament should behave," Ms Allan told reporters in Geelong on Friday. Manager of government business Mary-Anne Thomas has accused Liberal MPs Bev McArthur and Nicole Werner of facilitating the placing of the "offensive prop". Mrs McArthur confirmed she was with the farmer when the package was delivered, describing it as a "harmless stunt". "Labor MPs are acting like they've never seen cow s*** before - maybe they don't get out of Melbourne much," the shadow cabinet member said in a statement. Opposition Leader Brad Battin has refused to condemn the incident, describing it as "internally focused". "I'm genuinely concerned that the premier is trying to make this the biggest issue for herself, rather than talking about Victorian community," Mr Battin told reporters at parliament on Friday. "We need to start thinking about what's happening outside these doors, not inside". The new levy is set to raise an extra $2.1 billion for emergency services when it replaces the Fire Services Property Levy from July 1. The average annual bill was predicted to jump by $63 for residential home owners and $678 for primary producers, but rebates will be available for volunteers or life members of the CFA and SES. The Victorian government also promised a lower rate for primary production land and partial rebates for drought-affected farmers. Mr Battin has pledged to scrap the levy if the coalition wins government at the next state election in November 2026.
Perth Now
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Cow manure delivery stunt lands MPs in steaming mess
Two MPs have been referred to a misconduct body after cow manure was dumped at a state premier's office, as their leader refuses to condemn the stunt. A farmer delivered the package to Premier Jacinta Allan's office inside Victoria's parliament house on Tuesday during a protest at the building's entrance against an emergency services levy. A note on the vacuum-sealed dung package read: "Dearest Jacinta, I have considered your levy and here's my feedback, it's bulls***. Love Brutus + family". Legislative Council President Shaun Leane says two MPs have been referred to an independent body that investigates claims of parliamentary misconduct. The Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission will decide whether to take the matter further. "Surely we can't get to the point where it's commonplace that differences in policies ... that MPs in opposition to those policies usher angry stakeholders to other MPs parliament offices front doors with boxes full of turds," Mr Leane said in a statement on Friday. He said the presiding officers found the incident "very disappointing". Ms Allan said staff directly affected by the incident felt unsafe at their workplace. "The behaviour on Tuesday breached workplace safety standards and also, too, it was a significant breach of community expectations in how members of parliament should behave," Ms Allan told reporters in Geelong on Friday. Manager of government business Mary-Anne Thomas has accused Liberal MPs Bev McArthur and Nicole Werner of facilitating the placing of the "offensive prop". Mrs McArthur confirmed she was with the farmer when the package was delivered, describing it as a "harmless stunt". "Labor MPs are acting like they've never seen cow s*** before - maybe they don't get out of Melbourne much," the shadow cabinet member said in a statement. Opposition Leader Brad Battin has refused to condemn the incident, describing it as "internally focused". "I'm genuinely concerned that the premier is trying to make this the biggest issue for herself, rather than talking about Victorian community," Mr Battin told reporters at parliament on Friday. "We need to start thinking about what's happening outside these doors, not inside". The new levy is set to raise an extra $2.1 billion for emergency services when it replaces the Fire Services Property Levy from July 1. The average annual bill was predicted to jump by $63 for residential home owners and $678 for primary producers, but rebates will be available for volunteers or life members of the CFA and SES. The Victorian government also promised a lower rate for primary production land and partial rebates for drought-affected farmers. Mr Battin has pledged to scrap the levy if the coalition wins government at the next state election in November 2026.
