Voters in Darren Cheeseman and Will Fowles’ electorates would be justified in feeling they no longer have a member representing them in parliament

Two MPs booted from Labor’s parliamentary wing are no longer even turning up to parliament – it’s time they shape up, or ship out.

Will Fowles was forced to resign from Labor almost a year ago. Picture: Mark Stewart

Would the members for South Barwon and Ringwood please stand up?

Well, if they turned up to parliament, perhaps they could.

But since being booted from Labor’s parliamentary wing, both men have decided parliament’s not really for them.

South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman has not shown his face in parliament since being kicked out of Labor in April.

Darren Cheeseman hasn’t been in parliament since April. Picture: Alan Barber

His parliamentary website says his priorities are on strengthening and supporting his local community.

He wants better infrastructure in the electorate, from education to roads.

And he wants South Barwon to continue to be a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Ringwood MP Will Fowles was forced to resign from Labor almost a year ago.

In the time since he has turned up to parliament sporadically.

Fowles has appeared at parliament sporadically. . Picture: Jake Nowakowski

He’s asked questions on behalf of constituents and beefed up his social media presence.

Much more so than Cheeseman, he’s embraced the role of local independent MP.

He says he aims to improve social housing, build better schools with world-class facilities, and deliver better parks and active transport infrastructure.

His parliamentary biography says he’s also passionate about mental health, sustainability, economic reform and social justice.

How noble.

But parliament is a lonely place for MPs in exile.

How many of their lofty aspirations can Cheeseman and Fowles achieve without having a regular and active presence in parliament?

Cheeseman’s parliamentary website says his priorities are on strengthening and supporting his local community. Picture: Alan Barber

Or without the backing of their former party?

Backbench MPs earn base salaries of about $200,000.

Plus perks – and we know pollies love those.

There’s no obligation for them to actually do any work.

They are elected by the people, but not technically employed by anyone to do anything specific.

The hope of re-election is usually incentive to pull a finger out, but without that the drive may be lacking.

Neither Cheeseman nor Fowles could bank on being re-elected as independent MPs come the 2026 election.

Look at some of the comments below Cheeseman’s last social media post.

“We don’t want you either. I can guarantee every one of your constituents knows you are only sticking around for the paycheck. Shame on you, let us decide if we still want you!!” one person wrote.

Another said: “If the state Premier is stating she has no place in her government for you, why would the people of South Barwon want you representing them. Time to hand it in.”

And this: “It is now time for the South Barwon electorate to ask themselves if they want this person representing them, to question his effectiveness as the local sitting member, his work ethic, to compare his achievements to previous incumbents and to reflect on the cost-of-living pressures they face each day.”

The 108,000 voters of the two electorates would be justified in feeling they no longer have a member representing them in parliament.

Forget not voting for either MP if they run as an independent, Labor could face a protest vote in both seats from voters angry that their representation has been ripped away.

It’s important to note that neither MP has done anything wrong by not attending parliament.

A rule dictates that MPs can miss no more than nine consecutive sitting days without giving a reason to the Speaker.

But it’s easy enough to circumnavigate. And with a reason, there is really no cap on days missed from parliament.

Both men could be doing much more from the parliament’s naughty corner despite being constrained by Labor’s whopping majority in the lower house.

In the upper house it’s a different story.

Liberal independent Moira Deeming has been a constant and active participant in parliament since being booted by her former colleagues.

Adem Somyurek single-handedly forced a redrafting of the Andrews government’s pandemic legislation in 2021.

He went on to be re-elected as a member of the Democratic Labour Party and now sits as an independent alongside Deeming on the crossbench.

There are good reasons for MPs to enjoy the independence they do, and it is right they should be answerable only to their electorates.

Otherwise booting people out of political parties could be weaponised as a way to force perceived political undesirables out of parliament altogether.

It is also problematic that neither Cheeseman nor Fowles has admitted wrongdoing, or been found guilty of anything.

But there must come a point at which MPs ask themselves if it’s time to bow out.

Both were elected as Labor MPs because they shared the priorities and values of the ALP and had the backing of a political party and government.

They had seats at the table. Now, they’re not even turning up.

Parliament started its midwinter break this week, and during the period of hibernation it might be time for both men to work out whether they’re going to shape up, or ship out.

Their electorates deserve it.