Former Greens MP Sam Hibbins facing fresh allegation of inappropriate behaviour

Ex-Greens MP Sam Hibbins is facing a fresh claim of inappropriate behaviour after officially resigning from parliament and triggering a by-election in the seat of Prahran.

Ex-Greens MP Sam Hibbins has officially resigned from parliament as new details of his alleged inappropriate behaviour toward an intern have come to light.

It’s alleged that university interns were barred from working in the member for Prahran’s office as early as 2016 when a complaint about inappropriate behaviour was made to the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS).

The allegations were investigated at the time, and are unrelated to the more recent allegations made by a parliamentary staffer against Mr Hibbins that triggered his resignation.

It is alleged that in 2016 a woman reported Mr Hibbins to DPS after he tried to kiss her after an event.

She was working in his office as an intern under a partnership with La Trobe University.

Sam Hibbins announcing his resignation from the Greens. Picture: Facebook

In a statement, La Trobe University said it received a complaint from a student who had undertaken a Victorian Parliamentary internship in 2016.

“As part of our response to the complaint, the University raised the matter with the Department of Parliamentary Services in 2016 and put in place measures to reduce and mitigate risk to any other La Trobe students undertaking the Victorian Parliamentary internship program. La Trobe also provided full support to the student concerned.

“We can confirm that no La Trobe students involved in the Victorian Parliamentary internship program have been placed with Mr Hibbins for an internship since the complaint was raised in 2016.”

It’s understood details of the complaint were not passed on to the Greens Party in 2016.

It’s believed the Greens were made aware of that complaint in 2018 but were not given the full details.

Victorian Greens Leader Ellen Sandell on Monday said the “distressing” allegations reinforced the need for his resignation from the party and parliament.

“These details are distressing, and affirm the strong action we took to remove Sam Hibbins from our Greens Party Room.

“Our concern is with the women who have been affected by Sam Hibbins behaviour.

“His behaviour is totally unacceptable, which is why I made it clear he’s not welcome in our Party Room and why I think it’s good he’s also no longer a Member of Parliament.

“Women deserve respect and safety in the workplace and everywhere.”

Victorian Greens Leader Ellen Sandell. Picture: Nicki Connolly

But Mr Hibbins denied the latest allegations.

“This matter was raised and resolved six years ago and was subsequently made public when I recently resigned from the Greens.

“When this matter was brought to my attention in 2018, I took it very seriously, acknowledged the person’s concern, and advised DPS that I intended to resolve the matter to the person’s satisfaction.

“I believed the issue was a misinterpretation, so I immediately offered to provide an apology to the person involved in the parliamentary internship program.

“As a further act of remedy, I said I would not participate further in that particular program. I was advised that following this offer, the individual went on holiday for four weeks, and upon their return, advised DPS they sought no further action.

“My clear understanding was that this matter was closed to the satisfaction of both parties, the Greens and parliamentary services.

“ My resignation over the weekend was already decided with my family after the events of the past few weeks.

“However, the potential for more incorrect information being shared in the public domain, with little recourse to correct inaccuracies, reminded me why politics can no longer be my key focus and instead must be my family and the next chapter of our lives.”

Sam Hibbins MP speaks to media in 2019. Picture: AAP

The Greens acted quickly to remove Mr Hibbins when they were made aware of another more serious allegation in recent weeks.

Mr Hibbins has not attended parliament after the relationship with his member of staff was revealed to the party, prompting him to step down as deputy leader.

He has emphatically insisted the affair was consensual.

But has admitted over the weekend the matter has taken a career-ending toll on his family.

“The last few weeks have made it clear to me that my family’s wellbeing and safety need to come above all else,” he said on Saturday.

“It has been an extremely difficult time for us as the public disclosure of what was a private matter has taken a significant toll on our family’s mental health.”

It’s understood his official resignation will mean a by-election is likely to be held in the lead up to Christmas.

Speaker of the Assembly Maree Edwards on Monday issued a statement confirming the official resignation of Mr Hibbins on the weekend.

In a short note she wrote: “I received the resignation of Sam Hibbins as the member for Prahran on the evening of Saturday 23 November 2024.”.

“The resignation took immediate effect.

“A date to hold a by-election in the seat of Prahran is being considered and I will advise when the date has been set and issue a writ accordingly.”

The Victorian Coalition has confirmed it would run a candidate.

The Australian Labor Party have not yet decided whether they will contest the Greens stronghold.

Premier Jacinta Allan has so far remained tight-lipped on whether Labor would be running a candidate in the seat.

On Sunday she said “it was a matter for the ALP”.

It’s understood the party will make the call in coming days.