Darren Cheeseman booted from Labor partyroom after more allegations of persistent, inappropriate behaviour

Angry constituents have called on Darren Cheeseman to quit as their local member and lashed his calls for privacy after he was kicked out of the Labor partyroom amid allegations of “inappropriate behaviour”.

South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman has been booted out of the Labor Party. Picture: Supplied

Furious constituents have hit out at Darren Cheeseman’s vow to remain in parliament, calling on him to resign as their local member in the wake of allegations.

It comes after Mr Cheeseman was kicked out of the Labor partyroom following fresh allegations of “persistent and inappropriate behaviour”.

It comes after Premier Jacinta Allan on Tuesday confirmed that Victoria Police would not be called on to investigate allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” against Mr Cheeseman.

Several people purporting to be constituents of the South Barwon electorate took to social media on Tuesday morning in response to Mr Cheeseman’s Facebook statement.

In the statement, Mr Cheeseman said he would “continue to serve the people of South Barwon as their MP” and asked for privacy during the “incredibly distressing time”.

Social media user Dan McCormack responded to the post, stating: “As a supporter of the Victorian Labor Party and one of your constituents, I’m appalled by your alleged conduct. I promise you this — if you don’t resign now, I will not vote for you in the next election.”

JC Fielding said: “Why the hell would you deserve privacy? The nerve of you. Your electorate deserves a full explanation from you. That or your resignation as its MP.”

Jordy Lucas added: “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.”

Mr Cheeseman was also criticised for a spelling error where he mistakenly referred to a resignation as a registration.

“I think you could have been just a little bit careful when speaking to your constituents Darren Cheeseman MP of which I am one,” social media user Tanya Bishop said.

“At least do your spellcheck!!! If the Parliamentary Labor Party don’t want you then what makes you think the people of South Barwon do?”

Jacinta Allan says ‘appropriate action’ will be taken if further information came to light. . Picture: Alan Barber

Ms Allan had requested Mr Cheeseman’s resignation on Monday afternoon amid growing pressure to sack him after claims about his behaviour first surfaced.

His axing came after the Premier on Sunday had defended the move to demote him from the cabinet but keep him in the party.

However, on Monday night she moved to dump the scandal-plagued MP.

Ms Allan on Tuesday said that while the allegations had breached the “high standards” expected within the government, they were of “a nature that don’t require involvement of Victoria Police”.

She said she was first notified that there had been an additional complaint on Monday afternoon by a second member of staff.

“I spent pretty much all day yesterday at commission, and it was following my appearance that I received information from my office, that there have been allegations of inappropriate behaviour,” she said.

Ms Allan said her decision was firmly backed by colleagues during consultations late on Monday afternoon.

“There was a very strong view that the action that I was proposing to ask for the member for South Barwon to resign from the parliamentary Labor Party for was one very strongly supported,” she said.

Pressed over whether she should have dropped Mr Cheeseman from the party on Friday, the Premier stood by her initial decision to demote him.

“That (is) the information I had at that point in time and my actions were in the context of acting and upholding the ministerial code of conduct,” she said.

On Sunday, Ms Allan had flagged that “appropriate action” would be taken if further information came to light.

The Premier refused to provide any details about her conversation with Mr Cheeseman, including whether he made concessions.

“I’m not going to speak for the member for South Barwon,” she said.

“It will be his responsibility to talk to his reactions.

The Premier requested Mr Cheeseman’s resignation on Monday afternoon.

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

“Following these new allegations it is now clear to me that there is no place for the Member for South Barwon in my government.

“After inquiries 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 added that the wellbeing of staff and their right to a respectful workplace was “not negotiable”.

In a post on Facebook late on Monday night, Mr Cheeseman asked for privacy.

“A short while ago, I received a call requesting my registration (sic) from the Parliamentary Labor Party. I have provided that,” he wrote.

“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.”

Mr Cheeseman’s Facebook page appeared to have been deleted on Tuesday night.

It followed a barrage of criticism from constituents.

MPs, leaders react to Cheeseman’s dumping

Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins said she was glad that Mr Cheeseman had been kicked out of the partyroom.

“Women should feel safe in the workplace,” she said.

“We won’t tolerate that sort of behaviour that’s been alleged in our workplace.

“I’m glad that he’s no longer sitting on our side of the bench in the Labor Party.”

Victorian Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes says inappropriate behaviour needs to be called out. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Opposition Leader John Pesutto on Tuesday questioned whether it was safe for both Mr Cheeseman and Mr Fowles to remain in parliament.

“I do, as the alternative premier, wonder why it’s not safe for either of those gentlemen to sit in the outer ministry, if it’s not safe to sit in the labor caucus, if it’s safe for them to be anywhere else in this precinct,” he said.

“That is a legitimate question, but we can’t answer that.

“Only Premier Jacinta Allan can answer that.”

He called on Mr Cheeseman to resign from parliament, labelling him a “disgraced public figure”.

“We’ve had two Labor MPs who are now disgraced and sit in the chamber, unable to serve the constituents who live in their seats, whether it’s Ringwood or South Barwon,” he said.

“My main concern is the reputation of parliament and ... whether the people of South Barwon can be adequately represented by Mr Cheeseman.”

Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said inappropriate behaviour needed to be called out.

“There’s been further information, a separate allegation, that’s been acted on,” she said.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny said it was the right decision to kick Mr Cheeseman from the party.

“It sends a very strong message about workplace behaviour,” she said.

Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell says it is well known that ‘unsafe and predatory behaviour’ occurs inside parliament. Picture: supplied

Housing Minister Harriet Shing said everyone was entitled to a safe workplace.

“We need to make sure that at every turn we as government are demonstrating that this element of respect is an absolutely necessary part of every workplace, and indeed will be under the Allan Labor government,” she said.

Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said two women had come forward and made complaints.

“It’s terrible,” she said of learning about the allegations.

“It’s not tolerable. It has not been tolerated.”

Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn said the right action had been taken.

Asked if all Labor male MPs should receive training, Ms Blandthorn said she didn’t believe the allegations were characteristic of every politician.

Local Government Minister Melissa Horne said she absolutely supported the decision.

Outside parliament on Tuesday, Labor MPs said they supported the Premier’s decision.

Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell said it is well known that “unsafe and predatory behaviour” occurs inside parliament.

“I think there’s a problem when men are accused of these things against women and are allowed to stay in here because it means the women are faced with the choice as well about what they are going to do,”’she said.

“We need to look at mechanisms for members of parliament who have mistreated women, assaulted women and harassed women, and what we can do about it.”

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan says the wellbeing of staff and their right to a respectful workplace is not negotiable.

Greens leader Ellen Sandell said there is a problem with Labor MPs acting inappropriately.

Ms Sandell said mandatory training for male MPs could be a solution to hold MPs accountable.

“That sounds like something that is necessary,” she said.

“Men need to be responsible for their own behaviour.”

Prior to being elected to the Victorian parliament, Mr Cheeseman previously served as a federal MP.

It is the second time the Premier’s office has been forced to discipline a sitting MP for inappropriate behaviour in the past 12 months.

Last year Will Fowles was immediately sacked and expelled from the parliamentary Labor Party amid a sexual assault allegation. Fowles has always denied the allegation.