Labor MP Darren Cheeseman ousted over allegations of inappropriate behaviour

PREMIER Jacinta Allan has removed Darren Cheeseman from the Victorian parliamentary Labor Party following multiple allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards female staff.

This decision came after Cheeseman was stripped of his role as parliamentary secretary for schools last Friday, with his expulsion from the party announced late Monday.

After initially supporting Cheeseman’s continuation in the party, further complaints disclosed on Monday prompted the Premier to act.

“This afternoon I received new information about further allegations of persistent, inappropriate behaviour by the Member for South Barwon towards another member of staff,” Ms Allan said on Monday.

“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.”

It has since been revealed that two women had lodged complaints against Cheeseman.

While the Premier did not specify the details of the allegations, she confirmed that the nature of the complaints did not necessitate police involvement.

In response to his removal, Cheeseman posted a short statement on Facebook saying that he would 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,” the statement read.

Federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton on a visit to Torquay earlier in the week said it was the right decision.

“It was the right decision, but it was delayed and only came as a result of pressure, instead of the decision that should have been made in the first instance,” Mr Dutton said.

Mr Dutton said he supported state Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto’s call for Cheeseman’s resignation from Parliament altogether.