Labor MP Darren Cheeseman forced to resign over ‘inappropriate behaviour’

Premier Jacinta Allan has revealed why MP Darren Cheeseman can remain in the Labor Party following allegations of “persistent and inappropriate behaviour” towards staff.

Darren Cheeseman has been forced to resign from his parliamentary secretary role. Picture: Supplied

Premier Jacinta Allan has defended her decision to keep MP Darren Cheeseman in the Labor Party, despite allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” stripping him of his portfolio.

Mr Cheeseman, the Member for Barwon South, was forced to resign from his role as the parliamentary secretary for education over allegations of “persistent and inappropriate behaviour” towards staff on Friday.

Ms Allan, speaking after attending a CBD rally calling for tougher action on violence against women, said inappropriate behaviour was “not acceptable in any workplace, any organisation, anywhere in the community”.

South Barwon State MP Darren Cheeseman has been forced to resign from his role as parliamentary secretary for education. Picture: Alan Barber

“Women deserve to be respected every space, in every workplace and every part of our community, and that’s certainly … my expectation that I uphold,” she said.

The Premier, however, defended Mr Cheeseman’s position in parliamentary Labor Party on Sunday.

Pressed over why he was allowed to remain in the partyroom, the Premier said the allegations had been made in the context of the ministerial code of conduct which requires “higher standards for ministers and parliamentary secretaries”.

“The allegations were put to me in the context of my responsibilities in upholding the minsterial code of conduct as it applies to ministers and parliamentary secretaries,” she said.

An integrity commission that will have the power to investigate all MPs for inappropriate workplace behaviour is currently being established.

But it is not expected to be ready in time to meet its June deadline, which was set out by the Victorian ombudsman and the independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan says MPs behaviour breached ministerial code. Picture: Blair Jackson

The recommendation was part of the Operation Watts investigation into allegations of serious corrupt conduct involving Victorian public officers, including MPs.

Ms Allan, who was asked multiple questions about the allegations, said no further detail would be provided to protect the “safety and well being “ of staff.

“I’m just not going to do that out of respect to the staff involved,” she said.

“Because they deserve the right to a safe workplace.”

Ms Allan also refused to confirm how many staff had made complaints.

The Premier said she had come to the decision after being made aware of the allegations on Wednesday – two days before she asked for Mr Cheeseman’s resignation.

“So the senior staff in my office briefed me very late Wednesday evening,” she said.

“It was at that point that I determined that the information that was before me, did not meet the standards that I expect.

“And subsequent to that, on Friday, I asked for the members resignation as parliamentary secretary in the context of the allegations.”

The nature of the allegations levelled against Mr Cheeseman are not yet known.

A senior government source said Mr Cheeseman had been the subject of multiple complaints.

“For months the Left (faction) have known about other issues,” one source said.

“They moved female staff from his electorate office but failed to tell the PPO.

“This wasn’t the first complaint,” they said.

The Herald Sun can also confirm the allegations involve a staffer from the Premier’s Private Office.

Mr Cheeseman has been contacted for comment.

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

One MP, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Ms Allan would face internal criticism for not booting Mr Cheeseman from the partyroom.

“Jacinta was on her feet only days ago where she said calling out bad behaviour could save a life and that we’ve all got a leadership opportunity to play here. This was her opportunity to lead and set an example by throwing him out,” the MP said.

“She has failed to do that.”

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.

Police investigated a complaint and decided not to take any action.

However Ms Allan refused to take him back into the fold, citing a hard line stance against inappropriate behaviour and demands of a safe workplace for MPS.

A parliamentary insider said Ms Allan would have been left with no choice but to demote Mr Cheeseman as part of strict new ministerial standards.

The source said the standards, which have only come into effect since Ms Allan became Premier, hold ministers and parliamentary secretaries to a “much higher standard” than backbench MPs.

“If there’s an allegation of the breach of the guidelines, the consequences are dire,” they said.

“There’s not a lot of excuses to be given.

“It’s a different standard that applies and you can’t expect the Premier to deviate from that standard.”