Victorian Liberal MP Matthew Guy is demanding an apology from his colleague Moira Deeming after police closed their investigation into an allegation he assaulted her, finding there was “no offence detected”.
Guy's Emotional Response
A visibly emotional Guy addressed reporters outside state parliament on Friday morning, calling on Deeming, as well as the premier, Jacinta Allan, and the attorney general, Sonya Kilkenny, to apologise.
“My family name, my reputation is not a political toy. No one’s is. So I want – and my family deserve – those apologies, particularly from Moira Deeming,” he said.
“There was no ambiguity. I did not do what was alleged, the CCTV proves this. It did from the start, and Victoria police agree.”
The Allegation and Investigation
Deeming had reported to police on 16 June that Guy, the opposition’s public transport spokesperson, had assaulted her at a Macedonian community event in Sunshine on 23 May. It is understood Deeming had alleged Guy had placed her in a form of headlock. Deeming, who is overseas, has been approached for comment.
CCTV footage of the event was circulated on Thursday, with police that evening confirming they had concluded their investigation.
“It was reported a woman was assaulted by a man at an event,” police said. “The woman did not require medical attention, and the incident was reported to police on 16 June. Following a thorough investigation, it has been determined there was no offence detected. Investigators have engaged with the woman who made the report.”
It is understood police did not question Guy as part of their investigation.
Political Fallout
Guy claimed “every Australian male over 40 seems to be blamed, scapegoated, not believed” and “now thrown under the bus, even by our own government”.
Kilkenny on Thursday issued a statement directed at the opposition leader, Jess Wilson, which included 10 questions she “must answer” about the allegations including whether it is “appropriate for a member of her caucus to be in the party room when they are the subject of a complaint to police”.
Allan, meanwhile, told reporters Kilkenny’s questions “go to the heart of the leadership of the Liberal party”. “They go to allegations of very serious matters about an alleged assault by one Liberal party member of parliament against a colleague in their party room,” she said on Thursday.
Guy claimed the premier and the attorney general’s comments “told every Victorian male over 40 they don’t have your back”.
“To Aussie males who are sick of this treatment, who are sick of not being believed, some of us in parliament still have your back. I have your back,” he said, adding he was appreciative of the support of his Coalition colleagues, friends and staff. “My whole family has been deeply hurt by these allegations. I am owed the apologies I seek. Any reasonable and decent person would agree.”
Legal Representation
Guy was joined by his solicitor, Candice Almeida from Queenie Thompson Lawyers, who said: “My client has endured immense personal and professional harm as a consequence of those allegations. He hopes that the outcome serves as a reminder that allegations of this nature should be carefully investigated before conclusions are reached, and that every person is entitled to the presumption of innocence.” They did not take questions.
Opposition Leader's Response
Speaking at a separate press conference in Mildura on Friday afternoon, Wilson said she supported Guy’s request for an apology. “What he has gone through over the past few days will be absolutely devastating for him … and I do think it’s entirely reasonable that he has asked for an apology,” she said.
Pressed on whether Deeming had a future in the Liberal party, Wilson said: “I’ve reached out to Moira, and I have requested when she returns to Melbourne that we speak … but right now I’m focused on supporting Matthew and ensuring that he receives the support that he needs.”
The allegation – just five months out from the election – has heaped pressure on Wilson, who, after her appointment as leader in November, had managed to bring stability to the Liberal party, which has endured years of infighting between the moderate and more conservative groupings.
