Victorian Liberal MP Matthew Guy has vehemently denied an accusation by colleague Moira Deeming that he assaulted her at a community event, with police now investigating the incident and Guy considering defamation legal action against Deeming.
Alleged Incident and Police Investigation
CCTV footage of the alleged incident at a Macedonian community event in Sunshine on 23 May shows the pair seated together at a busy function. Victoria police confirmed they are investigating reports a man assaulted a woman at the function last month. “The woman left the area following the incident and did not require medical attention. The incident was reported to police on 16 June,” they said in a statement. Police believe the people involved are known to each other.
Guardian Australia understands Deeming first approached the party with the allegation before taking the matter to police. Sources close to Guy said he was yet to be interviewed by police and is considering legal action for defamation.
Political Fallout
The Victorian Liberal party is in turmoil just five months out from the state election. Opposition leader Jess Wilson said it would be inappropriate to comment as the matter is subject to a police investigation. “Like every other Victorian, the parties involved deserve due process, the presumption of innocence and their privacy respected while this is investigated,” Wilson said in a statement on Thursday.
Attorney General Sonya Kilkenny demanded Wilson answer 10 questions 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”. Kilkenny also asked whether the matter had been referred to the Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission, established by the Labor government in late 2024.
Premier's Call for Clarity
Premier Jacinta Allan said Wilson could provide “certainty and clarity” by answering Kilkenny’s questions. “These are questions that 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,” Allan told reporters.
The allegation will heap pressure on Wilson, who had brought stability to the Liberal party after years of infighting. The party also faces a challenge from One Nation. Wilson had planned a five-week tour of the state's 88 electorates, but it is understood media events will not go ahead.
