Latest news with #VictorianLiberalParty
The Age
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Age
Keeping power in check: The Age as a watchdog
In their feedback and correspondence, subscribers to The Age constantly make clear to me their desire for our journalists to hold society's powerful people and institutions to account. There is nothing new or innovative about the watchdog function of publications such as ours, indeed it is something people expect. But if you will allow me a small boast, I have to say I think we're quite good at it. In recent weeks our reporting has revealed: * The Victorian government is seeking to save $2.4 billion by delaying funding increases promised under the Gonski reforms, embedding the status of the so-called 'Education State' as the nation's poorest funder of public schools. * An outlaw bikie gang has been linked to a spate of firebombings targeting construction businesses across the state, and building industry insiders are concerned that government and law enforcement are not doing enough to stop it. * A dispute in the Victorian Liberal Party following a faux pas about Gina Rinehart has spilled over into a Fair Work matter. * Victorians' lives could be saved by mandating that defibrillators be registered on a public database. * A state government payroll tax touted as a salve for our ailing mental health system is overdelivering financially, but the state hasn't yet met a commitment for 170 new mental health beds. Most of these stories seek to hold our elected officials accountable along with the people they appoint to public roles, but our watchdog role extends beyond government to power in places such as sporting codes, business, schools, hospitals, the courts, society and the media. Of course, watchdog journalism doesn't cover everything we do, but it's at the heart of our purpose.
9 News
2 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.
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.'
Herald Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Herald Sun
‘Man in a hurry': Donald Trump ‘pushes the envelope' with executive orders
Former Victorian Liberal Party president Michael Kroger says US President Donald Trump's style of governance is consistent with pushing the 'envelope' with the hope that he can reach a compromise. This comes after a US court blocked Trump's Liberation Day tariffs. 'This is typical Donald Trump … the way to look at his presidency is he's a man in a hurry, he goes two steps forward knowing that in many cases he's going to go one step back,' Mr Kroger told Sky News host Gabriella Power. 'He pushes the envelope everywhere he can and then reaches some form of compromise. 'Of course, his decisions are going to be challenged, but he accepts that.'
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Tactical blunder': Trump is ‘surrendering' military power in the name of peace
Former Victorian Liberal Party president Michael Kroger says US President Donald Trump has surrendered American military power 'in the name of peace'. 'He made one major tactical blunder … he fell into this trap of believing he started no wars,' Mr Kroger told Sky News Digital Presenter Gabriella Power. 'Trump took this view and looked at himself and said, yeah … I should be up for a Nobel Peace Prize. 'So, he basically said to the world he's surrendering American military power in the name of peace.'
