Lobster dinner scandal: Disgraced Liberal speaks out after resignation calls

LIBERAL Party member Barrie Macmillan, who was exposed for trying to arrange untraceable donations from alleged mafia boss Tony Madafferi, has broken his silence.

Michael Kroger with Barrie Macmillan. Picture: Facebook

A LIBERAL Party member at the centre of the lobster dinner scandal that engulfed state Opposition Leader Matthew Guy is defying calls for him to resign from the party.

Barrie Macmillan, who was exposed for trying to arrange untraceable donations from alleged mafia boss Tony Madafferi, has broken his silence after he was forced to quit his party organisational roles.

Now he is being pushed to leave the party altogether.

But Mr Macmillan said he had no plans to resign.

The Lobster Cave restaurant, Beaumaris. State opposition leader Matthew Guy is in hot water over a dinner at the restaurant. Picture: Mark Stewart

He said that no money had been exchanged at the infamous April meal at the Lobster Cave, which had been attended by 10 guests, including Mr Guy, Mr Madafferi and others from the fruit and vegetable industry.

Mr Madafferi denies being a mafia identity and has never been charged with any crimes.

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Leaked recordings of telephone conversations captured Mr Macmillan discussing how to get large donations for the election campaign from those who attended the dinner.

Mr Macmillan, who was forced to resign as electoral secretary, said he would not forfeit his party membership.

“I’m not going to do that. I’ll go when I go,” the long-time Liberal member said.

A motion was put at a Liberal party on Wednesday night calling for Mr Macmillan’s resignation.

Barrie Macmillan arrives at his home in Somerville, Melbourne. Picture: David Geraght

A source confirmed the motion and said that Mr Macmillan would face expulsion if he did not agree to resign.

Mr Guy had referred himself to Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog for investigation over the dinner.

But on Wednesday, the independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission revealed that it would not investigate Mr Guy over the dinner, because the matter was beyond its jurisdiction.

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