A female Victorian Liberal MP has accused a male colleague of assaulting her at a community event, plunging the party into turmoil just five months before the state election. Sources close to the accused MP confirm he vehemently denies the allegation and is considering defamation legal action against his accuser.
Guardian Australia has chosen not to name the MPs involved. Both have been approached for comment. CCTV footage of the incident has circulated and has been reviewed by Guardian Australia.
Police Investigation Underway
Victoria Police confirmed they are investigating reports that a man assaulted a woman at a 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. "The investigation into the incident remains ongoing and police believe the people involved are known to each other."
Guardian Australia understands the woman first brought the allegation to the party before reporting it to police.
Opposition Leader's Response
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson stated that due to the ongoing police investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment. "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. "I remain focused on issues that matter to Victorians and earning their trust so our state can have a fresh start in November."
However, Attorney General Sonya Kilkenny demanded Wilson answer ten 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 if the matter had been referred to the Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission.
Commission's Role
The commission, established by the Labor government in late 2024, investigates misconduct allegations involving MPs. It declined to confirm whether it had received a referral or is investigating, stating that its approach "protects the integrity of our processes and ensures procedural fairness for all parties involved."
Political Fallout
The allegation, coming five months before the election, pressures Wilson, who brought stability to the Liberal party after her appointment as leader in November. The party has endured years of infighting between moderate and conservative factions. It also faces a serious challenge from a surging One Nation, which risks the Coalition's chances of forming a majority government.
Wilson recently embarked on a five-week tour of all 88 state electorates to pitch the Coalition as ready to govern. She planned to attend events in Melbourne and regional Victoria on Thursday, but media events have been canceled.
