Something ‘rotten’ in Spring St: Two MPs named in fallout from axed Ringwood MP Will Fowles sex scandal

Two state Labor MPs have become embroiled in allegations of a sleazy culture within parliament in the fallout from the Will Fowles sex assault scandal, with claims behaviour is “rotten”.

Two state Labor MPs have become embroiled in allegations of a “sleazy culture” within parliament in the fallout of the Will Fowles sex assault scandal.

The Herald Sun revealed last week that concerns had been raised about at least three MPs over working relationships and drinking at parliament.

On Wednesday, manager of Opposition business James Newbury used parliamentary privilege to allege concerns had been raised about Labor backbenchers Josh Bull and Gary Maas.

“(Victorians) are seeing a parliament led by a Labor government turn their great place, their great parliament, into a rotten place, where behaviour that is being perpetrated by some is completely unacceptable and not of the standard that would be expected by the Victorian community – behaviour that is rotten,” he said.

“Partly we are seeing a government that has the wrong priorities, a government that is focusing on not the needs and concerns of Victorians but its own nest, but also a government that is allowing behaviour that could only be described as rotten.

Member for Narre Warren Gary Maas. Picture: Aaron Francis

Sunbury MP Josh Bull. Picture: David Crosling

“We have seen that most recently and most egregiously in relation to allegations against one of the members in this place, and I am sure that many felt completely distressed by the allegations that were made and, sadly, the allegations that followed.

“We read reports of the government holding meetings with its members where members of the government I understand raised concerns about the behaviour of the member for Sunbury (Mr Bull) or the member for Narre Warren South (Mr Maas).”

Government sources have told the Herald Sun of their concerns with at least three MPs sleeping with staff members, that one MP is understood to have been repeatedly put on notice about his behaviour and another warned over his drinking and sexual exploits with the parliament.

Manager of opposition business James Newbury used parliamentary privilege to allege concerns had been raised about Labor MPs Josh Bull and Gary Maas. Picture: NewsWire

The Herald Sun is not alleging any wrongdoing against either Mr Bull or Mr Maas, only that they were named in parliament in connection with the reports.

At a meeting of Labor’s female caucus last week Daniel Andrews and other senior figures are understood to have addressed the issue.

One senior minister reportedly told colleagues: “I’m sorry if this is uncomfortable and I hate to point out the elephant in the room, but we know that some of you are sleeping with your staff and it’s a misuse of power.”

“All the young women are coming out, some are internally reporting it, others are boasting about it,” one veteran figure said.

Axed Ringwood MP Will Fowles. Picture: Facebook

Sunbury MP Josh Bull. Picture: Facebook

“There is a cultural issue within the party.

“It’s one of these things where they’ve just turned a blind eye.”

Mr Fowles has been absent from parliament since he was forced to resign from the Labor Party after being accused of a “serious assault”.

Victoria Police have subsequently confirmed sex crimes detectives are formally investigating the allegation.

Mr Fowles has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

Last year Dustin Halse, who Mr Fowles replaced, resigned after being embroiled in his own parliamentary sex scandal.

Senior politicians have previously told the Herald Sun that there was no proper process to deal with complaints, which deterred people from coming forward.

A Department of Premier and Cabinet survey last year found 92 per cent of staff who experienced sexual harassment did not submit a formal complaint.

The state government has been approached for comment on behalf of Mr Bull and Mr Maas.