Latest news with #Pesutto
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Former tennis star Sam Groth facing calls to step down as deputy Liberal leader over misuse of taxpayer-funded chauffeur driven car
Former tennis star Sam Groth is facing calls to step down as deputy leader of the Victorian Liberal Party following revelations he misused a colleague's taxpayer-funded, chauffer driven car. The Herald Sun revealed on Friday that Mr Groth got the taxpayer-funded chauffeur to drive him and his wife home to Rye, almost 100km south of Melbourne, after they enjoyed a boozy day at the Australian Open. The taxpayer funded vehicles are provided to government ministers and senior opposition figures for them to use while carrying out public duties, with parliamentary guidelines stating they must not be used 'improper personal' purposes, for the 'private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person', or for 'non-public purposes' such as political party fundraisers. However it has now been revealed that Mr Groth borrowed Georgie Crozier's vehicle in January 2024 in order to get him home from the tennis after a private fundraiser held with Nationals MP Jade Benham and subsequent boozing in the tennis precinct party zone. It is understood Ms Crozier was unaware of how the vehicle would be used, believing it was a work event. The report is the latest in a string of stories about Mr Groth's use of parliamentary entitlements, and multiple Liberal MPs have provided anonymous quotes to the Herald Sun calling on the Liberal Party's deputy leader to step down. 'What seems to be developing here is a pattern of entitlement, ongoing disrespect for taxpayers' money and bad judgement time and time again from a wannabe senior member of the team,' one Liberal MP is quoted as saying. Another of Mr Groth's colleagues, described as a senior Liberal MP said the former professional tennis player was 'trouble'. 'He has to fall on his sword, it's as simple as that. Sam is trouble and this is the last thing the party needs right now,' the MP reportedly said. The revelations about Mr Groth come the same week former Liberal premier Jeff Kennett warned the 'dysfunctional' Victorian Liberal Party is on the cusp of an 'extraordinary implosion' due to the fallout from the legal battle between John Pesutto and Moira Deeming. Mr Pesutto is in a race against time to raise the $2.3 million needed to cover Ms Deeming's legal costs after a federal court found he had defamed his own MP as someone who 'associates with Nazis'. But Liberals are divided on whether the party should cover the costs of the debt in order to prevent a by-election in Mr Pesutto's seat of Hawthorn – which could result in a Teal victory. 'Leadership is absent (and) they are prepared to bankrupt one of their own. What values does the party have when it won't embrace one of its own?' Mr Kennett said. 'Our members and volunteers deserve so much better.' Fears the Victorian Liberals will lose the upcoming election, despite more than a decade of Labor rule, has led senior Liberals to canvass radical options including parachuting a new leader in from outside parliament. One senior Liberal who disagreed with the option nevertheless told the Herald Sun there needed to be an 'intervention'. 'An intervention will be required because the current group is so toxic,' the senior Liberal said. 'This is getting very close to the future of the party's existence. There is a real threat they could not win anything at the next election, and it could get worse.'
The Age
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Age
Victorian Liberals accused of sacking staffer in retaliation for bullying claims
She has now made a 36-page statement for a Fair Work application claiming she was set up to fail, excluded, given unachievable key performance indicators, denigrated, and was the target of a more than year-long campaign to 'get rid of Nadine'. Her application refers to discussions within a WhatsApp group, which is understood to have involved Smith and other staff. Jones claims she was stood down in retaliation for making bullying complaints against Smith and Davis, and for Davis' embarrassment over the Rinehart incident. She claims she was then sacked in retaliation for taking her case to WorkCover. The Liberal Party declined to comment on the allegations. The Age has seen the Fair Work application lodged against the party last week, Jones' witness statement, and the stand-down and termination letters issued to Jones. The same documents have been provided to all members of the party's 19-person administrative committee, which includes Opposition Leader Brad Battin. Loading The administrative committee has separately received a request to intervene in the damaging dispute between Deeming and Pesutto by authorising the use of party funds to pay for or loan the money for legal costs owed by the former leader to his party room colleague. Deeming last year successfully sued Pesutto for defamation before the Federal Court after he falsely implied she associated with neo-Nazis. Battin replaced Pesutto as party leader weeks after the judgment. The court this month ordered Pesutto to pay Deeming $2.3 million in legal costs by this Friday. Deeming's lawyers have flagged their intention to pursue third parties for costs — including former premiers Jeff Kennett, Denis Napthine and Ted Baillieu and serving MPs Georgie Crozier and David Southwick — if Pesutto is left bankrupt. This masthead has spoken to a dozen party members and staff who requested anonymity for this story. Four Liberal sources said standing Jones down from the fundraising body on the eve of the federal election hampered campaign fundraising efforts. The complaint against Smith and Davis emerged at a time when the party organisation and its office holders were under intense pressure to account for the party's disastrous result in last month's federal election, at which it lost two more suburban seats to Labor. Both men were contacted for comment. The latest federal election drubbing follows successive Liberal wipe-outs at the previous two state elections. Suggestions by supporters of Smith and Davis that Jones' complaint was part of a bigger factional play for control of the party have been rejected by four sources close to Jones. Battin has privately canvassed a clear-out of senior positions at party headquarters to end infighting and become electorally competitive in Victoria, several sources have confirmed to The Age, although Battin has publicly disputed this. Jones, in her Fair Work application, claims she had almost quadrupled Enterprise Victoria's membership in the two years in her role, and that annual revenue had increased about fivefold. She claims she was the target of a misinformation campaign about her performance to legitimise standing her down. She is seeking compensation for lost income, unpaid commission and damages. The Fair Work claim provides further details about a March 26 fundraising dinner at Zagame's House on Carlton's Lygon Street that Jones secured Rinehart for, in what was seen as a coup for the party. Davis rebranded the Enterprise Victoria event as a Victorian Liberal Party function and insisted on hosting. Jones offered him speaking notes, but according to Jones' claim, Davis replied: 'This is not my first rodeo.' He then introduced Rinehart as a sponsor of Netball Australia, which Jones in her application describes as a 'very public and embarrassing gaffe'. Hancock Prospecting withdrew its $15 million four-year sponsorship with Netball Australia in 2022 amid a flurry of headlines after Diamonds players said they did not want to wear uniforms featuring the mining company's logo. Jones was stood down the next day. She claims the misconduct allegations against her had never previously been raised and that the action was retaliatory. The party, in its stand-down letter to Jones, accused her of improperly giving complimentary or discounted tickets to an earlier $2000-a-head lunch with Western Australian senator Michaelia Cash without approval, sharing confidential and financial information, and using her private email and device to transmit and store sensitive party information. Jones disputes the characterisation of the claims and argues they were contrived.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Victorian Liberals accused of sacking staffer in retaliation for bullying claims
She has now made a 36-page statement for a Fair Work application claiming she was set up to fail, excluded, given unachievable key performance indicators, denigrated, and was the target of a more than year-long campaign to 'get rid of Nadine'. Her application refers to discussions within a WhatsApp group, which is understood to have involved Smith and other staff. Jones claims she was stood down in retaliation for making bullying complaints against Smith and Davis, and for Davis' embarrassment over the Rinehart incident. She claims she was then sacked in retaliation for taking her case to WorkCover. The Liberal Party declined to comment on the allegations. The Age has seen the Fair Work application lodged against the party last week, Jones' witness statement, and the stand-down and termination letters issued to Jones. The same documents have been provided to all members of the party's 19-person administrative committee, which includes Opposition Leader Brad Battin. Loading The administrative committee has separately received a request to intervene in the damaging dispute between Deeming and Pesutto by authorising the use of party funds to pay for or loan the money for legal costs owed by the former leader to his party room colleague. Deeming last year successfully sued Pesutto for defamation before the Federal Court after he falsely implied she associated with neo-Nazis. Battin replaced Pesutto as party leader weeks after the judgment. The court this month ordered Pesutto to pay Deeming $2.3 million in legal costs by this Friday. Deeming's lawyers have flagged their intention to pursue third parties for costs — including former premiers Jeff Kennett, Denis Napthine and Ted Baillieu and serving MPs Georgie Crozier and David Southwick — if Pesutto is left bankrupt. This masthead has spoken to a dozen party members and staff who requested anonymity for this story. Four Liberal sources said standing Jones down from the fundraising body on the eve of the federal election hampered campaign fundraising efforts. The complaint against Smith and Davis emerged at a time when the party organisation and its office holders were under intense pressure to account for the party's disastrous result in last month's federal election, at which it lost two more suburban seats to Labor. Both men were contacted for comment. The latest federal election drubbing follows successive Liberal wipe-outs at the previous two state elections. Suggestions by supporters of Smith and Davis that Jones' complaint was part of a bigger factional play for control of the party have been rejected by four sources close to Jones. Battin has privately canvassed a clear-out of senior positions at party headquarters to end infighting and become electorally competitive in Victoria, several sources have confirmed to The Age, although Battin has publicly disputed this. Jones, in her Fair Work application, claims she had almost quadrupled Enterprise Victoria's membership in the two years in her role, and that annual revenue had increased about fivefold. She claims she was the target of a misinformation campaign about her performance to legitimise standing her down. She is seeking compensation for lost income, unpaid commission and damages. The Fair Work claim provides further details about a March 26 fundraising dinner at Zagame's House on Carlton's Lygon Street that Jones secured Rinehart for, in what was seen as a coup for the party. Davis rebranded the Enterprise Victoria event as a Victorian Liberal Party function and insisted on hosting. Jones offered him speaking notes, but according to Jones' claim, Davis replied: 'This is not my first rodeo.' He then introduced Rinehart as a sponsor of Netball Australia, which Jones in her application describes as a 'very public and embarrassing gaffe'. Hancock Prospecting withdrew its $15 million four-year sponsorship with Netball Australia in 2022 amid a flurry of headlines after Diamonds players said they did not want to wear uniforms featuring the mining company's logo. Jones was stood down the next day. She claims the misconduct allegations against her had never previously been raised and that the action was retaliatory. The party, in its stand-down letter to Jones, accused her of improperly giving complimentary or discounted tickets to an earlier $2000-a-head lunch with Western Australian senator Michaelia Cash without approval, sharing confidential and financial information, and using her private email and device to transmit and store sensitive party information. Jones disputes the characterisation of the claims and argues they were contrived.
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Jeff Kennett warns ‘dysfunctional' Victorian Liberals face ‘extroadinary implosion' as fallout from Deeming-Pesutto case continues
Jeff Kennett has lamented the state of the Victorian Liberal Party, warning it is on the cusp of an 'extraordinary implosion' as the fallout from Moira Deeming's successful defamation battle against John Pesutto continues. Mr Pesutto is in a race against time to raise the $2.3 million needed to cover Ms Deeming's legal costs after a federal court found he had defamed his own MP as someone who 'associates with Nazis'. Liberals are divided on whether the party or its fundraising body, the Cormack Foundation, should cover the costs of the debt in order to prevent a by-election in Mr Pesutto's seat of Hawthorn – which could result in a Teal victory. Speaking to the Herald Sun on Wednesday, Mr Kennett said there was a complete absence of leadership in the party, labelling it 'dysfunctional'. 'Leadership is absent (and) they are prepared to bankrupt one of their own. What values does the party have when it won't embrace one of its own?' Mr Kennett said. 'Our members and volunteers deserve so much better.' Mr Pesutto has until Friday before bankruptcy proceedings begin. He will then have 21 days to either pay the amount owed, agree on a payment plan, or be declared bankrupt – an outcome that will result in his expulsion from parliament. Lawyers for Ms Deeming have also begun preparing to go after key Liberal figures who helped fund Mr Pesutto's legal case, taking advantage of a precedent that allows the successful party in a defamation case to recoup costs from the financial backers of the unsuccessful party. The Australian revealed earlier this week that Ms Deeming's lawyers had written a legal letter naming nine Liberal figures – including Mr Kennett and two other former premiers – as potential targets, if Mr Pesutto is unable to pay the $2.3 million owed. The letter sought further information about the contributions of Mr Kennett, former premiers Ted Baillieu and Dennis Napthine, and six other Liberal figures had made to Mr Pesutto's legal case. Mr Kennett is on the public record as having supported the Hawthorn MP, but the former premier has told The Australian he only made a 'token' contribution. 'My army training taught me you salute the uniform and support the leader, so when John (Pesutto) was under pressure, very early I made a token donation as a public gesture of supporting the leader,' the former Premier said. 'After that I had no idea or involvement in the conduct of the court case. It was a token donation.' Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Ms Deeming said there was 'no case except the one against John'. The Western Metropolitan MP took out a loan to fund her successful defamation battle, which the $2.3 million in costs and the $315,000 in damages Mr Pesutto has already paid are being used to cover. 'My lawyers ensured that when Mr Grugeon (NSW businessman Hilton Grugeon) generously agreed to loan me millions of dollars to defend myself against the campaign to destroy my life, he was fully aware of the fact that he could be held liable to pay for mine and Pesutto's costs if I lost and went bankrupt,' Ms Deeming said in a statement earlier this week. 'So I have no doubt that Mr Pesutto, being a lawyer himself, ensured that his financiers were aware of that same risk prior to accepting their support.' Mr Pesutto has embarked on a publicity tour since the costs order was issued, and on Monday he told Sky News Australia he was 'hopeful' of raising the money. 'I'm working with a number of potential supporters to try and raise that money,' he said. 'There are some hopeful signs that I can get there. 'I do want to meet that debt that I owe Ms Deeming, and I want to discharge the court's order, so I'm working very carefully to try and do that by the due date.' A GoFundMe page set up on his behalf has now raised more than $187,000, and reports late last week indicated he had also managed to raise an additional $500,000 from donors and supporters.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Liberals brace for impact as Cyclone Moira makes landfall
Barring a last-minute change of heart from the people controlling the finances of the Victorian Liberal Party or the Cormack Foundation, an investment fund established for the party's benefit, its destructive forces will be unleashed on Deeming's party room colleagues, her leader Brad Battin, and the party she was elected to represent. Deeming, like any successful litigant, is entitled to recover legal costs owed to her. But if we step out of the courtroom and return to our essential wisdom in politics, this is not a course of action a parliamentarian would normally take. Imagine you are a state MP. If a lawyer, in this case defamation lawyers Patrick George and Rebekah Giles, suggested a way to recover costs that would plunge your party into crisis, force an unwanted byelection and remove any reasonable prospect of forming government after the next state election, would you agree to do it? The difference with Deeming is that she no longer considers the people who make up the parliamentary ranks of the Victorian Liberal Party her party, if indeed she ever did. She said as much last week during a podcast with Club Grubbery, an obscure media site run by a paramedic sacked for refusing the jab and a former Qantas pilot turned anti-lockdown campaigner. Over an hour-long discussion, she talked as a guerilla fighter might about the need to seize control of the Liberal Party and its direction. 'I am not satisfied with the government in this country flipping from Liberal to Labor when neither of them represents anything that I can see as good,' she remarked. Loading Deeming's ultimate mission is not to return the Victorian Liberal Party, in its current form, to government. It is to remake it in her ideological image. In this world, parliamentary colleagues who hold to the traditional values of the party are enemies rather than allies. 'If they succeed in getting me out of here it is not as though the Moira Deeming problem will disappear,' she said. What then, should Liberal leader Brad Battin do about the Moira Deeming problem? There is no shortage of advice. Some colleagues want him to bend the knee to Charles Goode, an octogenarian stockbroker who, as Cormack Foundation chairman, sits Smaug-like on its $110 million corpus, and plead for the foundation to cover Pesutto's costs. Others say the money should come from the party itself, given Pesutto was sued for things he said while leading it. Battin's instinct is to do nothing. Earlier this week, one of his MPs, Brad Rowswell, requested a party room meeting to discuss Pesutto's impending bankruptcy and the prospects of a byelection in Hawthorn. Battin made it clear that he wanted to keep talking about machete bans and cuts to stamp duty – not an internal party dispute. This was before news broke in Wednesday's The Australian about Deeming's legal gambit to make former premiers Jeff Kennett, Ted Baillieu and Denis Napthine and Liberal colleagues Georgie Crozier and David Southwick pay for Pesutto's sins. A Federal Court will ultimately decide whether this is a Hail Mary by Deeming's lawyers or a new hell for a party that has lost six of the past seven Victorian state elections.
