Latest news with #SamGroth
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Liberal turmoil continues over drunken rort allegations
Turmoil continues in a state Liberal Party over allegations of a drunken taxpayer-funded car rort as an MP demands an explanation from her colleague. The controversy involves tennis ace turned Victorian Liberal deputy Sam Groth, who used a colleague's chauffeur-driven vehicle to take him and his wife home from the Australian Open in January 2024. Mr Groth hosted a political fundraiser with Nationals MP Jade Benham earlier in the day before entering a party zone at the tennis where he was accused of getting "smashed", The Herald Sun reports. Then-opposition upper house leader Georgie Crozier lent him her car for the trip home and said Victorians "deserve a lot better". "I'm incredibly disappointed," Ms Crozier told reporters on Friday afternoon. "I think that Sam needs to explain his actions. I can't." Mr Groth was shadow minister for tourism, sport and events at the time, and the car was used for a trip from Melbourne Park to Rye on the Mornington Peninsula, a distance of about 100km. In a statement, the Nepean MP said he has nothing to hide and attended the 2024 Australian Open in both an official capacity 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. "Everything was and is above board." In 2025, Mr Groth spent more than $300 on accommodation when he attended a March Formula One Glamour on the Grid event and almost $1000 on an Adelaide trip when he met with "key stakeholders" which coincided with the LIV Golf tournament, according to travel allowance claims. Liberal leader Brad Battin stood by Mr Groth and said he was confident rules had been followed. "Going to the events does pass the pub test," Mr Battin said. Under Victoria's ministerial code of conduct, public resources must not be used for or political party purposes or "improper personal or private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person". It comes as the Victorian Liberals grapple with the aftermath of a high-profile defamation showdown between MP Moira Deeming and former Leader John Pesutto, who the Federal Court found had defamed the first term MP. The court has ordered the former leader to pay $2.3 million in legal costs and Mrs Deeming has said she is preparing to file a bankruptcy notice against him. In 2016, Labor MP Steve Herbert resigned as a minister after his taxpayer-funded driver to chauffeured his two dogs, Patch and Ted, between his homes in Melbourne and central Victoria. Turmoil continues in a state Liberal Party over allegations of a drunken taxpayer-funded car rort as an MP demands an explanation from her colleague. The controversy involves tennis ace turned Victorian Liberal deputy Sam Groth, who used a colleague's chauffeur-driven vehicle to take him and his wife home from the Australian Open in January 2024. Mr Groth hosted a political fundraiser with Nationals MP Jade Benham earlier in the day before entering a party zone at the tennis where he was accused of getting "smashed", The Herald Sun reports. Then-opposition upper house leader Georgie Crozier lent him her car for the trip home and said Victorians "deserve a lot better". "I'm incredibly disappointed," Ms Crozier told reporters on Friday afternoon. "I think that Sam needs to explain his actions. I can't." Mr Groth was shadow minister for tourism, sport and events at the time, and the car was used for a trip from Melbourne Park to Rye on the Mornington Peninsula, a distance of about 100km. In a statement, the Nepean MP said he has nothing to hide and attended the 2024 Australian Open in both an official capacity 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. "Everything was and is above board." In 2025, Mr Groth spent more than $300 on accommodation when he attended a March Formula One Glamour on the Grid event and almost $1000 on an Adelaide trip when he met with "key stakeholders" which coincided with the LIV Golf tournament, according to travel allowance claims. Liberal leader Brad Battin stood by Mr Groth and said he was confident rules had been followed. "Going to the events does pass the pub test," Mr Battin said. Under Victoria's ministerial code of conduct, public resources must not be used for or political party purposes or "improper personal or private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person". It comes as the Victorian Liberals grapple with the aftermath of a high-profile defamation showdown between MP Moira Deeming and former Leader John Pesutto, who the Federal Court found had defamed the first term MP. The court has ordered the former leader to pay $2.3 million in legal costs and Mrs Deeming has said she is preparing to file a bankruptcy notice against him. In 2016, Labor MP Steve Herbert resigned as a minister after his taxpayer-funded driver to chauffeured his two dogs, Patch and Ted, between his homes in Melbourne and central Victoria. Turmoil continues in a state Liberal Party over allegations of a drunken taxpayer-funded car rort as an MP demands an explanation from her colleague. The controversy involves tennis ace turned Victorian Liberal deputy Sam Groth, who used a colleague's chauffeur-driven vehicle to take him and his wife home from the Australian Open in January 2024. Mr Groth hosted a political fundraiser with Nationals MP Jade Benham earlier in the day before entering a party zone at the tennis where he was accused of getting "smashed", The Herald Sun reports. Then-opposition upper house leader Georgie Crozier lent him her car for the trip home and said Victorians "deserve a lot better". "I'm incredibly disappointed," Ms Crozier told reporters on Friday afternoon. "I think that Sam needs to explain his actions. I can't." Mr Groth was shadow minister for tourism, sport and events at the time, and the car was used for a trip from Melbourne Park to Rye on the Mornington Peninsula, a distance of about 100km. In a statement, the Nepean MP said he has nothing to hide and attended the 2024 Australian Open in both an official capacity 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. "Everything was and is above board." In 2025, Mr Groth spent more than $300 on accommodation when he attended a March Formula One Glamour on the Grid event and almost $1000 on an Adelaide trip when he met with "key stakeholders" which coincided with the LIV Golf tournament, according to travel allowance claims. Liberal leader Brad Battin stood by Mr Groth and said he was confident rules had been followed. "Going to the events does pass the pub test," Mr Battin said. Under Victoria's ministerial code of conduct, public resources must not be used for or political party purposes or "improper personal or private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person". It comes as the Victorian Liberals grapple with the aftermath of a high-profile defamation showdown between MP Moira Deeming and former Leader John Pesutto, who the Federal Court found had defamed the first term MP. The court has ordered the former leader to pay $2.3 million in legal costs and Mrs Deeming has said she is preparing to file a bankruptcy notice against him. In 2016, Labor MP Steve Herbert resigned as a minister after his taxpayer-funded driver to chauffeured his two dogs, Patch and Ted, between his homes in Melbourne and central Victoria. Turmoil continues in a state Liberal Party over allegations of a drunken taxpayer-funded car rort as an MP demands an explanation from her colleague. The controversy involves tennis ace turned Victorian Liberal deputy Sam Groth, who used a colleague's chauffeur-driven vehicle to take him and his wife home from the Australian Open in January 2024. Mr Groth hosted a political fundraiser with Nationals MP Jade Benham earlier in the day before entering a party zone at the tennis where he was accused of getting "smashed", The Herald Sun reports. Then-opposition upper house leader Georgie Crozier lent him her car for the trip home and said Victorians "deserve a lot better". "I'm incredibly disappointed," Ms Crozier told reporters on Friday afternoon. "I think that Sam needs to explain his actions. I can't." Mr Groth was shadow minister for tourism, sport and events at the time, and the car was used for a trip from Melbourne Park to Rye on the Mornington Peninsula, a distance of about 100km. In a statement, the Nepean MP said he has nothing to hide and attended the 2024 Australian Open in both an official capacity 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. "Everything was and is above board." In 2025, Mr Groth spent more than $300 on accommodation when he attended a March Formula One Glamour on the Grid event and almost $1000 on an Adelaide trip when he met with "key stakeholders" which coincided with the LIV Golf tournament, according to travel allowance claims. Liberal leader Brad Battin stood by Mr Groth and said he was confident rules had been followed. "Going to the events does pass the pub test," Mr Battin said. Under Victoria's ministerial code of conduct, public resources must not be used for or political party purposes or "improper personal or private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person". It comes as the Victorian Liberals grapple with the aftermath of a high-profile defamation showdown between MP Moira Deeming and former Leader John Pesutto, who the Federal Court found had defamed the first term MP. The court has ordered the former leader to pay $2.3 million in legal costs and Mrs Deeming has said she is preparing to file a bankruptcy notice against him. In 2016, Labor MP Steve Herbert resigned as a minister after his taxpayer-funded driver to chauffeured his two dogs, Patch and Ted, between his homes in Melbourne and central Victoria.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Liberal turmoil continues over drunken rort allegations
Turmoil continues in a state Liberal Party over allegations of a drunken taxpayer-funded car rort as an MP demands an explanation from her colleague. The controversy involves tennis ace turned Victorian Liberal deputy Sam Groth, who used a colleague's chauffeur-driven vehicle to take him and his wife home from the Australian Open in January 2024. Mr Groth hosted a political fundraiser with Nationals MP Jade Benham earlier in the day before entering a party zone at the tennis where he was accused of getting "smashed", The Herald Sun reports. Then-opposition upper house leader Georgie Crozier lent him her car for the trip home and said Victorians "deserve a lot better". "I'm incredibly disappointed," Ms Crozier told reporters on Friday afternoon. "I think that Sam needs to explain his actions. I can't." Mr Groth was shadow minister for tourism, sport and events at the time, and the car was used for a trip from Melbourne Park to Rye on the Mornington Peninsula, a distance of about 100km. In a statement, the Nepean MP said he has nothing to hide and attended the 2024 Australian Open in both an official capacity 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. "Everything was and is above board." In 2025, Mr Groth spent more than $300 on accommodation when he attended a March Formula One Glamour on the Grid event and almost $1000 on an Adelaide trip when he met with "key stakeholders" which coincided with the LIV Golf tournament, according to travel allowance claims. Liberal leader Brad Battin stood by Mr Groth and said he was confident rules had been followed. "Going to the events does pass the pub test," Mr Battin said. Under Victoria's ministerial code of conduct, public resources must not be used for or political party purposes or "improper personal or private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person". It comes as the Victorian Liberals grapple with the aftermath of a high-profile defamation showdown between MP Moira Deeming and former Leader John Pesutto, who the Federal Court found had defamed the first term MP. The court has ordered the former leader to pay $2.3 million in legal costs and Mrs Deeming has said she is preparing to file a bankruptcy notice against him. In 2016, Labor MP Steve Herbert resigned as a minister after his taxpayer-funded driver to chauffeured his two dogs, Patch and Ted, between his homes in Melbourne and central Victoria.
West Australian
3 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Liberal turmoil continues over drunken rort allegations
Turmoil continues in a state Liberal Party over allegations of a drunken taxpayer-funded car rort as an MP demands an explanation from her colleague. The controversy involves tennis ace turned Victorian Liberal deputy Sam Groth, who used a colleague's chauffeur-driven vehicle to take him and his wife home from the Australian Open in January 2024. Mr Groth hosted a political fundraiser with Nationals MP Jade Benham earlier in the day before entering a party zone at the tennis where he was accused of getting "smashed", The Herald Sun reports. Then-opposition upper house leader Georgie Crozier lent him her car for the trip home and said Victorians "deserve a lot better". "I'm incredibly disappointed," Ms Crozier told reporters on Friday afternoon. "I think that Sam needs to explain his actions. I can't." Mr Groth was shadow minister for tourism, sport and events at the time, and the car was used for a trip from Melbourne Park to Rye on the Mornington Peninsula, a distance of about 100km. In a statement, the Nepean MP said he has nothing to hide and attended the 2024 Australian Open in both an official capacity 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. "Everything was and is above board." In 2025, Mr Groth spent more than $300 on accommodation when he attended a March Formula One Glamour on the Grid event and almost $1000 on an Adelaide trip when he met with "key stakeholders" which coincided with the LIV Golf tournament, according to travel allowance claims. Liberal leader Brad Battin stood by Mr Groth and said he was confident rules had been followed. "Going to the events does pass the pub test," Mr Battin said. Under Victoria's ministerial code of conduct, public resources must not be used for or political party purposes or "improper personal or private advantage or benefit for themselves or any other person". It comes as the Victorian Liberals grapple with the aftermath of a high-profile defamation showdown between MP Moira Deeming and former Leader John Pesutto, who the Federal Court found had defamed the first term MP. The court has ordered the former leader to pay $2.3 million in legal costs and Mrs Deeming has said she is preparing to file a bankruptcy notice against him. In 2016, Labor MP Steve Herbert resigned as a minister after his taxpayer-funded driver to chauffeured his two dogs, Patch and Ted, between his homes in Melbourne and central Victoria.
ABC News
4 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Deputy Liberal leader Sam Groth under fire for taxpayer-funded car ride from Australian Open
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.
9 News
4 days ago
- Politics
- 9 News
Sam Groth denies claim he misused taxpayer-funded vehicle during AO
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Deputy Victorian Liberal Party Leader Sam Groth has responded to calls to step down after a report he allegedly misused a taxpayer-funded vehicle to travel from the 2024 Australian Open to his Mornington Peninsula home. Groth issued a statement this morning responding to an article that claims he used Liberal MP Georgie Crozier's chauffeur-driven vehicle to transport himself and his wife from their home in Rye to the tennis tournament in Melbourne's centre in January 2024. In the statement, the former tennis pro said he thought it was "important to clarify a few things", denying he used the vehicle inappropriately and claiming he attended the 2024 Australian Open "in both an official capacity and a personal one". Politician and former tennis legend Sam Groth with his wife Brittany. (Getty Images for the AOC) "The public rightly have an expectation that politicians behave appropriately at all times. I share that belief," he said, "In my role as a Shadow Minister, I have attended many sporting events in the past few years." "I was at the event to meet various stakeholders and attend meetings before being part of a fundraising initiative." Groth denied allegations he was intoxicated at the tennis event. "Everything was and is above board. It has all been officially disclosed. There is nothing to hide," he said. "This job is time consuming and keeps me away from my wife and twin boys. Opposition Leader Brad Battin today said he planned to have an internal discussion with Groth regarding the claims, but does not believe he should resign. (Nine) "When I get a chance for my wife and family to join me, I jump at the chance and pay for it myself. Opposition Leader Brad Battin today said he planned to have an internal discussion with Groth regarding the claims, but does not believe he should resign. "I expect all members of parliament to follow the rules and behave appropriately, whether it's at work or not at work, it's a simple expectation I have," Battin said. "Sam Groth has been working very hard in his role and we all know that. We've seen him out and about whether it's in parliament or going out to events ensuring he's engaging with his community. "I'm confident that Sam's followed the rules and I've seen his declarations when he comes into towns that were recently reported for the events that he stays at." Victoria national Australia AUSTRALIAN OPEN Victorian Politics CONTACT US Property News: You can only access this beach shack at low tide.
