Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, has removed Member for South Barwon, Darren Cheeseman, from the parliamentary Labor Party, following further allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
The move comes just days after Mr Cheeseman (pictured) was dumped as parliamentary secretary on Friday afternoon.
The Premier late yesterday confirmed that a second complaint about inappropriate behaviour towards staff had emerged.
“This afternoon I received new information about further allegations of persistent, inappropriate behaviour by the Member for South Barwon towards another member of staff,” the Premier said in a statement.
“After enquiries by my office, and in consultation with my colleagues, tonight I asked the Member for South Barwon to resign as a member of the Parliamentary Labor Party – and he has done so.
“Following these new allegations it is now clear to me that there is no place for the Member for South Barwon in my government.
“The wellbeing of staff and their right to a respectful workplace is not negotiable,” she said.
In a statement on Mr Cheeseman’s Facebook page he stated: “A short while ago, I received a call requesting my registration from the Parliamentary Labor Party. I have provided that registration. I will continue to serve the people of South Barwon as their MP. This is an incredibly distressing time for me and my family and I ask our privacy to please be respected.”
