Labor MP probed over Spring Street sex romp allegations

Acting Premier James Merlino will not say whether he will enforce a ‘bonk ban’ in state parliament after a Labor MP was found to be having sex in his office.

Explosive allegations have exposed a toxic workplace culture that has prompted crisis talks at the highest levels of government. Picture: Mark Stewart

Acting Premier James Merlino has refused to say whether a ‘bonk ban’ will be enforced in state parliament after a Labor MP was found to be having sex in his office.

“I’m not going to guess what the presiding officer’s work will entail,” Mr Merlino said.

“There’s been consultation across parties, within the parliament, that work is almost finalised.

“We need to always look at how we can do things better, and how we can ensure appropriate behaviour of MPs in the parliament.”

Mr Merlino said he had not yet directly spoken with the Labor MP in question.

“I just haven’t spoken to that individual over the last few days,” he said.

Mr Merlino said the MP’s conduct was “absolutely not” appropriate and would be one of the issues caucus would discuss amid Thursday’s state budget announcement and following sitting weeks.

“The conduct was inappropriate,” Mr Merlino said.

“It doesn’t reflect community values.

“More importantly, beyond this single issue, which is of deep concern, and doesn’t reflect values, I would expect that that individual reflects on that behavior.”

It comes after the leader of the state opposition Michael O’Brien called on Mr Merlino to “come clean” to Victorians about the scandal involving a Labor MP using a parliamentary office for sex.

The Saturday Herald Sun revealed the Labor MP’s behaviour was raised with the office of the Premier, which then instructed that the man be counselled.

Whistleblowers said there were concerns the MP was displaying a pattern of inappropriate behaviour inside Victoria’s corridors of power.

Labor MPs were gossiping about the scandal on the weekend with some saying they had been left in the dark about the alleged offender.

One said there had been rumours of “sex pest” behaviour from within parliament for some time.

Mr O’Brien said on Saturday: “The Labor Party is very good at saying that the standard you walk past is the standard you accept.

“So the question for the Acting Premier is does he approve of what this Labor MP has been doing in his office and will he come clean and name this person because I think Victorians have a right to know … (it’s) not what people expect to go on in Parliament House.”

It comes after a state government MP was investigated over allegations he used a parliamentary office for sex.

Concerns about the Labor MP’s behaviour were raised with Premier Daniel Andrews’ office, which ­instructed that the man be counselled.

The explosive allegations — uncovered following a months-long Saturday Herald Sun investigation — expose a toxic workplace culture that has prompted crisis talks at the highest levels of government.

Sources say crisis talks were held inside the Premier’s private office after staff there were told the backbench MP had sex in a Spring Street office in December.

Concerns escalated after another complaint was made about his behaviour with another parliamentary worker earlier this year, sparking internal inquiries.

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It is understood the Premier’s office raised concerns with the Speaker and asked that he intervene and counsel the MP on his conduct.

A state government spokesman told the Saturday Herald Sun: “The Premier’s Office raised concerns about the member’s conduct with the Speaker of the parliament.’’

Several MPs and parliamentary staffers have said the MP’s activities were an open secret inside the parliament, with one senior figure saying not enough was done to keep sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour in check.

“It does seem there is a culture of sexual and intimate relationships amongst people of the parliament,” one said.

“MPs can’t be above the law,” another said.

In a survey earlier this year MPs told the Saturday Herald Sun they had experienced unwanted touching, verbal remarks of a sexual nature, and persistent and unwanted invitations of a sexual nature from other MPs.

Speaker Colin Brooks is leading a cross-party process to develop a new framework for MP conduct. Picture: AAP

But sources say there is no proper mechanism to deal with the complaints, saying the status quo allows MPs to sit above the law.

Critics of the current system said MPs and workers who fell victim to other MPs had little recourse except to raise a complaint with either the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly or President of the Legislative Council.

But that process automatically becomes political, and risks deterring complainants.

Speaker Colin Brooks is currently leading a cross-party process to develop a new framework for MP conduct.

It is intended to include new and independent avenues for complaints to be made.

Ministerial staff are currently able to raise formal or informal complaints with their manager or chief of staff or any member of the Premier’s senior staff.

A spokesman for Mr Brooks confirmed a matter had been referred for investigation, but said no official complaint was made to him about an MP allegedly engaging in sexual activity in their office.

“Parliament is currently working in a bipartisan manner to develop a framework for member behaviour to better respond to complaints about bullying and sexual harassment.

“At present, members’ conduct is governed by the Code of Conduct in the Members of Parliament (Standards) Act 1978,” he said. “Contraventions of the code may result in a referral to the relevant privileges committee.

“Staff who work in the parliamentary precinct can make a formal complaint regarding inappropriate behaviour or sexual harassment to their particular employer.”

The Speaker’s office said it had previously had separate concerns raised about the behaviour of the MP.

But no complainant had come forward and no substantiation was provided despite numerous requests being made.