Will Fowles won’t be charged after violent Canberra rampage

Victorian MP Will Fowles has escaped charges after his violent rampage in Canberra, where he frightened hotel guests and staff.

Will Fowles at Melbourne Airport after the incident. Picture: Mark Stewart

Labor MP Will Fowles will not face criminal charges over his violent rampage in a Canberra hotel this week.

ACT Police said this afternoon that its investigation had been completed.

“After consultation with the business owners, no charges were laid,” a spokeswoman said.

Mr Fowles kicked down a door, frightening hotel guests and staff during the incident.

Premier Daniel Andrews dodged questions today about what substances Mr Fowles had been taking, saying it was largely a matter between the MP and his doctor.

He said his behaviour was “not acceptable” but he was glad he had faced his problems and would get help.

Damage at the Canberra hotel. Picture: Twitter/@kelliesloane

“I don’t think it would be easy to admit to the world that you have this set of problems,” Mr Andrews said.

“If you have got issues, the first thing you need to do is to acknowledge them.”

Former premier Jeff Kennett — who was also the former chair of Beyond Blue — said he was frustrated and disappointed that Mr Fowles used mental health issues as an excuse for his behaviour.

“That sort of argument should be discredited by the media and the courts. And it does a great disservice to those who have genuine mental health issues who are trying to seek help, put their hand up and admit they’ve got a problem,” he said.

“Will might have a mental health problem, I don’t know, but it wasn’t the reason. It did not contribute to his activities.

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“To argue that violence, anti-social behaviour and criminal acts are somehow a result of mental health problems is just wrong in 99.9 per cent of cases.’’

Mr Andrews also said he had supported another MP — understood to be Russell Northe — deal with addiction problems in the past.