Victorian Liberal MP Matthew Guy has vehemently denied an allegation by colleague Moira Deeming that he assaulted her at a community event, with police now investigating the incident. Sources close to Guy, the opposition's public transport spokesperson, say he is considering legal action for defamation against Deeming.
Alleged incident captured on CCTV
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 event 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.
Political fallout and calls for transparency
The 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. “I remain focused on issues that matter to Victorians and earning their trust so our state can have a fresh start in November.”
In a statement, Attorney General Sonya Kilkenny said Wilson “must 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.
Commission and premier weigh in
The commission, established by the Labor government in late 2024 to investigate allegations of misconduct involving MPs, would not say whether it had received a referral or if it was investigating. The commission said the approach “protects the integrity of our processes and ensures procedural fairness for all parties involved”.
Later on Thursday, 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. “These are the questions that Jess Wilson, as the leader of the Liberal party, needs to come forward and answer today.”
Election pressure mounts
The allegation – just five months out from the election – will heap 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. The party also faces a serious challenge from a surging One Nation, which risks its chances to form a majority government.
Wilson last week embarked on a five-week tour of each of the state’s 88 electorates, to pitch the Coalition as ready to govern. She had planned to be in Melbourne on Thursday morning and then visit regional Victoria, but it is understood media events will not go ahead.
