Ex-Greens MP Sam Hibbins resigns from parliament following affair with staffer, forces by-election for Prahan

Ex-Greens MP Sam Hibbins has resigned from parliament after being forced to quit the party following an affair with a staffer — and the move has sparked a by-election in the seat of Prahran.

Ex-Greens MP Sam Hibbins has officially resigned from parliament after being forced to quit the party following an affair with a staffer.

The move has triggered a by-election in the seat of Prahran, which is held comfortably by the Greens.

However pollsters say a nationwide swing against the Greens in various council and state elections could jeopardise the party’s hold over the seat.

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

In a short note issued 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 byelection in the seat of Prahran is being considered and I will advise when the date has been set and issue a writ accordingly.”

Greens MP Sam Hibbins announced his resignation plans on Saturday following revelations of an affair with a staffer. Picture: Norm Oorloff

Both the Liberal Party and the ALP have had success in the electorate — the Liberal Party held the seat from 1985 until 2002 when it was won by Labor.

The Liberal Party regained the seat in 2010 before losing it to the Greens in 2014.

Mr Hibbins, a father of two, announced his resignation plans in a statement on Saturday, just weeks after revealing an affair with a staffer.

Mystery surrounds the circumstances of the affair with party leader Ellen Sandell saying it prompted a complaint to Parliamentary Services “detailing serious and concerning allegations”.

It involved “behaving inappropriately towards a staff member over a period of time” and was the subject of a complaint, she said.

“I’ve spoken to the staff member and my primary concern throughout all of this is her wellbeing,” she said.

“Everyone, especially women, deserve respect and safety in their workplace.

“We, as well as Parliamentary Services, are providing full support to the staff member who made this report, and we are also providing support to our broader staff team.”

Sam Hibbins has resigned from parliament to prioritise his family’s wellbeing. Picture: Facebook

Mr Hibbins has emphatically insisted the affair was consensual.

But he said the matter had 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.

“I know many of you will understand that as the father of two young children, I must put the safety and wellbeing of my family first.

“I will be formally resigning as the Member for Prahran and from the Victorian Parliament.

“The people of Prahran can elect someone with the energy and focus to work and campaign wholeheartedly for them at such an important time for our local community and society.”

Mr Hibbins also said he had referred “unauthorised access” to his parliamentary office to Parliament House.

The Greens have repeatedly refused to answer questions about claims they conducted a “smoking ceremony” in the office following Mr Hibbins’ resignation to rid it of “evil spirits”.

Mr Hibbins said “personal items, including family and my children’s baby photos, were vandalised with offensive and threatening graffiti.”

“We believe this involved a number of people,” Mr Hibbins said.

“I have referred this matter to both parliamentary services and the police. This has become a concerted campaign against me.”

Mr Hibbins said serving as the local MP and councillor over the past 12 years had been a privilege.

“It has been an honour to be a champion for equality, sustainable transport, social and economic justice,” he said.

“To stand up for people most in need, including our public housing residents, will always be something I am deeply proud of doing.”

At the last election the Greens picked up 36.4 per cent of primary votes compared to the Liberal Party’s 31 per cent and Labor’s 26.6 per cent. They won the seat with a 12 per cent margin following the distribution of preferences.

Premier Jacinta Allan has 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 decide whether to run a candidate in the coming days.