Who is Rory Amon? From ‘political dynamo’ to alleged sex offender

Rory Amon was a pillar of the community — a pastor, footy ref and volunteer firey who won a valuable seat for the Liberals. But now he is facing historic sex assault claims.

“Got to go. It’s an emergency.”

Those were the last words Rory Amon allegedly uttered to Liberal Party volunteers he had been doorknocking with in the seat of Epping before he would resign from the party the following day.

A family lawyer and volunteer firefighter, Mr Amon had been a controversial choice as Liberal candidate for the seat of Pittwater.

Then-premier Dominic Perrottet and other senior Liberals had been urging members to preselect more women.

Part of the reason was the shock ousting of Mackellar MP Jason Falinski at the federal election whose 13.3 per cent margin had been little obstacle for “teal” independent Dr Sophie Scamps.

Former Liberal MP Rory Amon volunteered with the NSW Rural Fire Service Davidson brigade Picture: Supplied

With the state seat of Pittwater sitting within Mackellar, the view was that a woman would have a better chance of holding the seat against another possible “teal wave”.

Lawyer Claire Longley, the daughter of former Pittwater MP Jim Longley, was at one point regarded as a possible candidate, but was forced to bow out because of an administrative issue with her membership.

Amon is a certified Rugby Union referee. Picture: Supplied

Another prospective female candidate — Upper House MLC Natasha Maclaren-Jones — also pulled out after conceding she did not have the numbers.

Amon was being pushed hard by several members on the NSW Liberal state executive with the majority ultimately voting to endorse the former northern beaches councillor rather than stage a preselection.

Raised on the northern beaches by a locally well-known community-minded family — his parents established a beachside cafe that employed people with a disability — Amon started his political career volunteering for Falinski, before being elected to Northern Beaches Council.

A graduate of Knox Grammar, Amon attended Covenant Christian School before later becoming involved with the local northern beaches C3 Church, including participating as a pastor.

The church ran youth programs under the name of “Stadium Generation”, which held weekly after-school activities.

According to a church flyer in 2008, Amon was in charge of conducting youth activities at Belrose Oval every second Monday.

“We hang out, play some footy, connect, become mates with people we didn’t know and get stuck into the world of god!!!! YEW”, the flyer said.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott (left) with Amon both men volunteer with the Rural Fire Service. Picture: Supplied

A local who Amon once worked for claimed he ended his association with the church after an alleged falling out with C3 Church founder Phil Pringle.

By the time Amon began his political career, there were no references to any church affiliations.

Amon was also a rugby referee, sometimes refereeing matches played by his old school’s team.

He had been due to officiate in the Shute Shield grand final on August 31, but was replaced on the day of his arrest.

Amon was also a volunteer with the NSW Rural Fire Service, receiving several awards for his service at the Davidson bridge where former prime minister Tony Abbott also an active member.

Consultant and lawyer Claire Longley has put her hand up for Liberal preselection for Pittwater. Picture: Supplied

At the state election in March last year, his supporters were vindicated. Despite fears of a “teal wave”, Amon would beat independent Jacqui Scruby by 606 votes.

However, as Amon celebrated, a police strike force had begun investigating a report of an alleged historic sexual assault.

Upon being told shortly after the state election of a police investigation, The Saturday Telegraph began approaching local Liberal Party members for information.

A media inquiry was made to NSW Police, asking for information about “a police investigation into a male NSW MP” who was facing “historic sex assault” allegations.

The office indicated it would need specifics of the alleged case to respond.

Newly elected MP for Pittwater Amon. Picture: Instagram

Questions were also asked of local Liberal Party members — including two MPs and state executive members — all of whom said they were unaware of any police investigation.

Some speculated the complaint — if there was one — could be vexatious, or among the usual political scuttlebutt that periodically does the rounds.

In August, The Daily Telegraph put questions to Amon about a police investigation, which were denied on behalf of his lawyers.

One Liberal Party member claimed that they had told the office of Opposition Leader Mark Speakman, but did not give a name.

That person this week clarified they had alerted the office to the fact that “media were making inquiries about Amon”, but said they did not make any specific allegations.

A close friend of Amon described him as a “dynamo”, and said he was the driving force behind the Liberal Party becoming involved in local government in Warringah and the then newly amalgamated Northern Beaches Council.

NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman (left) with Amon. Picture: Supplied

A close friend of Amon described him as a “dynamo”, and said he was the driving force behind the Liberal Party becoming involved in local government in Warringah and the then newly amalgamated Northern Beaches Council.

“He was a campaign director, the go-to guy, in his early to mid-20s he was a dynamo and a full-on party machine operative,” the source said.

“He cut across all factional boundaries. We are just devastated.”

A Liberal MP argued if anybody had known “anything”, it would have been acted upon.

“Rory had his political enemies, there is no way they would not have sought to use the information,” the MP said.

“And others would have been worried about the political risk.

“Rumours often do the rounds about politicians The fact is, no one knew anything.”

According to details released by police last week, detectives attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command commenced an investigation in June 2022.

The investigation was launched following a report of an alleged sexual assault in Mona Vale in July 2017. Police were told a teenage boy was allegedly sexually assaulted by a man who was known to him at an address in Mona Vale.

Amon has resigned as the Member for Pittwater. Picture: Facebook

Last Friday, a 35-year-old man was arrested at Manly Police Station and charged with five counts of have sexual intercourse with a person over 10 & under 14, two counts of attempted sexual intercourse child over 10 under 14, two counts of indecent assault person under 16 years of age and commit act of indecency with person under 16 years. He has been given conditional bail.

Amon has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, declaring in a statement that he would make his case in the courts “not in the media”.

His party supporters have rallied around him, ferrying him to bail appearances and acting as decoys when he meets police.

Amon is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on October 29.

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