South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman forced to resign from Labor, commits to staying on as an independent

Premier Jacinta Allan has been forced into a decision many say she should’ve made 72 hours earlier, booting South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman from the Labor Party.

“Incredibly disappointed”: South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman flanked by his former local Labor colleagues Christine Couzens, Ella George and Alison Marchant celebrating the November 2022 state election result. Picture: Mark Wilson.

Career politician Darren Cheeseman has been forced out of the Labor Party amid further allegations of “persistent, inappropriate behaviour” towards female staff.

In an embarrassing turn of events for Premier Jacinta Allan, she issued a short statement late Monday night confirming that Mr Cheeseman had resigned from Labor at her request.

The statement came 72 hours after Mr Cheeseman stood down from his parliamentary secretary role, again at the Premier’s request.

Mr Cheeseman broke his silence shortly after midnight, taking to Facebook to say he will remain in parliament as an independent MP.

“A short while ago, I received a call requesting my registration (sic) from the Parliamentary Labor Party,” the 47-year-old wrote.

“I have provided that registration (sic).

“I will 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.”

Sources familiar with the situation said Mr Cheeseman had been accused of making some female staff feel “uncomfortable” with unwanted comments of a sexual nature.

Ms Allan said in her statement that she had received “new information about further allegations of persistent, inappropriate behaviour by the Member for South Barwon towards another member of staff”.

“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,” she said.

“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.”

The statement came just hours after questions to Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins were answered by the Premier’s media team with audio of Ms Allan’s press conference on Sunday that defended her initial decision.

Earlier: ‘Mind-boggling’: Questions surround Cheeseman’s future

Allegations of improper behaviour facing embattled South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman came as no surprise to some within the Labor Party, as more details emerge about the reasons behind his $50,000-a-year demotion.

Sources familiar with the situation said Mr Cheeseman had been accused of making some female staff feel “uncomfortable” with unwanted comments of a sexual nature.

At least one staffer has lodged an official complaint with the Department of Parliamentary Services, they said.

Premier Jacinta Allan issued a statement late Friday that said Mr Cheeseman, South Barwon MP since 2018, had resigned from his role as parliamentary secretary for education at her request.

She cited allegations of “persistent, inappropriate behaviour in the workplace towards staff” but has kept the 47-year-old within the parliamentary Labor team without clearly explaining why.

The demotion will cost Mr Cheeseman the $49,710 he received in addition to his annual backbench salary of $198,839.

A senior party figure said they found it “mind-boggling” Mr Cheeseman had been allowed to remain in the Labor caucus.

They said his presence would hurt the party’s brand in an electorate it holds by just shy of 10 per cent.

Mr Cheeseman has not responded to multiple requests for comment since Friday, but with parliament sitting this week the issue is set to remain in the headlights.

There was no sign of him at his Armstrong Creek office on Monday.

Lara MP Ella George, as well as federal MPs Libby Coker and Richard Marles, on Monday added their names to the list of local Labor politicians who have voiced their disappointment over Mr Cheeseman’s alleged conduct.

Ms George’s short statement mirrored comments made by her state colleagues Christine Couzens and Alison Marchant.

“I am incredibly disappointed in reports of inappropriate behaviour,” the first-term MP said.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe and respected in their workplace – the wellbeing of staff is not negotiable.”

Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews with South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman. Picture: Alan Barber.

Ms Coker and Mr Cheeseman are regularly photographed together because their electorates overlap.

The pair previously had dealings during Mr Cheeseman’s time as Corangamite MP and Ms Coker’s role as Surf Coast Shire mayor.

“All women deserve to feel safe in their workplace and to be supported when they raise allegations of inappropriate behaviour,” she said.

“I am deeply concerned by the reports, and I trust the state government will appropriately respond and investigate this matter.

“I attended the rally (against violence towards women) on the weekend, and I stand with all women in taking greater action to respond to the epidemic of gendered violence, harassment, and mistreatment.”

Fresh from his flying trip to Ukraine where he announced Australia’s $100m military support package, Mr Marles said “the reports of unacceptable and inappropriate conduct of the Victorian state member are extremely upsetting”.

A Labor insider speaking on the condition of anonymity said they “would’ve liked to have been surprised (by the allegations), but wasn’t”.

“How we can leave this bloke in caucus with everything going on around gendered violence around Australia is beyond me,” they said.

Another source with knowledge of the situation said Mr Cheeseman’s alleged conduct involved more than one staff member.

“I think there is (more to come out),” they said.

One ALP member called on Mr Cheeseman’s immediate resignation.

“There is an ALP (Australian Labor Party) statement of values in which he is in contravention of … he does not fit the behaviour of someone fit to represent South Barwon in the parliament,” they said.

Originally published as South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman forced to resign from Labor, commits to staying on as an independent