Geoff Shaw crisis: Victorian Government and Opposition contemplate expelling independent MP

Updated

The Victorian Opposition and Government are both contemplating moves to expel balance-of-power MP Geoff Shaw from Parliament.

Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews has said he will seek to move a contempt motion against Mr Shaw next Tuesday to have him expelled.

Last month the Liberal-dominated privileges committee found Mr Shaw had violated the code of conduct for MPs, but stopped short of finding he was in contempt of Parliament over the misuse of his taxpayer-funded car.

Geoff Shaw is a rorter. Geoff Shaw has no place in the Victorian Parliament. And we will move to expel him from the Victorian Parliament. Daniel Andrews, Victorian Opposition leader

Victorian Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews wants him to be expelled from Parliament and will seek to bring that about with a contempt motion when Parliament resumes next week.

"He [Premier Denis Napthine] has been propped up by Geoff Shaw. Denis Napthine has allowed Geoff Shaw to run his Government. I will not allow Geoff Shaw to run our state," Mr Andrews said.

"That's why on Tuesday next week, I will move that the Parliament of Victoria find Geoff Shaw in contempt and expel Geoff Shaw from the Parliament of Victoria. That is the right thing to do. That is the principled thing to do.

He added: "I look forward to hearing from the Premier about whether he will join Labor in dealing with Mr Shaw the way we ought to deal with Mr Shaw."

The Victorian Government is now getting advice on whether Mr Shaw could be expelled from Parliament for rorting entitlements.

Dr Napthine says the Opposition's approach might not be the best course of action and could lead to Mr Shaw challenging the matter in the High Court.

"We want to make sure it's done absolutely correctly, so we don't have a circus running off to the High Court with injunctions to avoid being held accountable for Mr Shaw's actions," he said.

"Daniel Andrews is going in like a bull at a gate."

Analysis: Alison Savage Premier Denis Napthine has significantly upped the ante in his language as Victoria's political crisis continues.



Dr Napthine has refused a demand from Daniel Andrews to have the Governor resolve the impasse.



Labor's challenge to the Government now centres on a motion it will put forward in Parliament next week to have Geoff Shaw expelled from Parliament.



Dr Napthine will not be drawn on whether he would support that motion, or if the Government would even allow it to be put on the parliamentary agenda.



He says the Government will "deal" with Mr Shaw and his "wrongdoings."



It is now a matter of waiting to see what happens first - the Government's legal advice on what action the Parliament can take against Geoff Shaw, or the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday where Labor will move to have him expelled.

Labor's motion can only be debated if the Government allows it to be put on the Parliamentary Agenda next week.

Dr Napthine would not say whether he would allow that, or support any subsequent vote on Mr Shaw if one is put to Parliament.

"I as Premier and my Government will deal with Mr Shaw," he said.

"He must be dealt with in a strong, appropriate way that is enforceable, and that sticks."

Dr Napthine has hardened his stance on Mr Shaw in the last 24 hours.

He would not be drawn on whether he thinks Mr Shaw should be expelled, saying that is a matter for Parliament.

But he made it clear he believes Mr Shaw should be punished for misusing his taxpayer-funded car and fuel card.

"Geoff Shaw has done the wrong thing," Dr Napthine said.

"He has been found by the privileges committee to have done the wrong thing and we as a Government will not tolerate that.

"Geoff Shaw must be held fully accountable for his wrongful actions and we will make sure that happens."

No comment from Shaw until 'hysteria' calms down

Mr Shaw was expected to make a statement on the developments from his office in the Frankston CBD.

Instead, his media adviser Simeon Lawson emerged to make a brief statement without taking any questions.

He said after speaking to Mr Shaw, he wished to advise that they would not be making any comment because there had been a lot of "hysteria" around the issue.

Mr Lawson said they want it to calm down before they make any further comment.

On Tuesday, Mr Shaw said he would back any no-confidence motion in the Government, putting the Coalition's grip on power under threat.

The Frankston MP made the threat after a phone call in which Dr Napthine refused to protect Mr Shaw from being ousted from Parliament for misusing his entitlements.

The Government relies on Mr Shaw's support to stay in office.

Mr Andrews had demanded a meeting with Dr Napthine this morning over the turmoil in State Parliament.

Mr Andrews also wanted the Premier to join him in seeking the advice of Governor Alex Chernov over what he called a "constitutional crisis".

"There are many people who doubt whether this Government and this Parliament can function," Mr Andrews said.

Labor will move next week to have Mr Shaw found in contempt of Parliament for misusing his entitlements.

"Denis Napthine can explain to the people of Victoria why last night he's attacking Mr Shaw but ultimately is running a protection racket for him," Mr Andrews told 774 ABC Melbourne.

"Let's bring this on next week. And let's try and bring some order to this chaotic Government and chaotic Parliament."

However, in a statement issued this morning, the Premier said he would not meet with Mr Andrews or involve the Governor in the standoff.

"The Coalition Government intends to get on with governing in the best interests of Victoria, regardless of Daniel Andrews' continued attempts to disrupt the Parliament and block or delay important legislation, simply for his own political advantage," it said.

"Mr Andrews has now committed for the first time to support the budget, despite previous statements opposing East West Link, Melbourne Rail Link and the Melbourne Airport Link.

"Accordingly, when Parliament resumes next week, the Government will move to complete debate and pass the budget, so that work can proceed on these key projects for Victoria's future.

"On that basis, I do not believe there is any reason for me to meet privately with Mr Andrews.

"Under the long-standing traditions of Westminster system, it is totally inappropriate for political leaders to seek to involve the governor in political disputes."

Opposition will pass budget despite turmoil: Andrews

Today on ABC News Breakfast, the Opposition Leader accused Dr Napthine of hiding from the crisis.

"The most important thing to do is for the Premier to reconsider his immature, desperate and I would think somewhat arrogant refusal to meet with me this morning," he said.

"I think we have to put the interest of the state first. I'm not interested in playing political games on this and I think it is appropriate to sit down in an adult way, in a rational way, to discuss these issues.

"I'm very disappointed that the Premier thinks he can perhaps ignore these problems and they won't be there any more."

Despite the political turmoil, Mr Andrews said he would pass the Government's budget.

"We will pass the budget, and it's appropriate to have a discussion with the Premier about that, and how that will work in next week's parliamentary sitting week," he said.

"What's more, there's then an opportunity, I think, to talk about both of us in a bipartisan way going to the Governor and seeking his advice.

"This is an unprecedented constitutional crisis and we should put the interests of the state ahead of any political interests."

He said he had hoped to talk calmly with Dr Napthine about Geoff Shaw's contempt of Parliament.

"The other matter I would be keen to pursue with the Premier, one on one in an adult, civil, perfectly reasonable way, is why he's refusing to act on Geoff Shaw," he said.

"There is an outstanding parliamentary privileges committee report, the contempt of the Parliament, by Geoff Shaw and the levying of a penalty."

Topics: state-parliament, states-and-territories, vic

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