NSW Liberal MP Rory Amon charged with child sex offences; quits party, parliament

Rory Amon, the Member for Pittwater, has fronted court in Manly over the alleged sexual assault of a teenage boy, resigning from his party and electorate.

Member for Pittwater Rory Amon. Instagram.

NSW Liberal MP Rory Amon has quit his party and his seat after he was charged by police with historic child sex offences, allegations he says he will deny in court.

Mr Amon, the representative for the state electorate of Pittwater appeared before Magistrate Lisa Stapleton at Manly Local Court on Friday afternoon.

The charges relate to an alleged sexual assault in Mona Vale in July 2017, in which Mr Amon allegedly assaulted a teenage boy who was known to him.

Mr Amon was charged with five counts of sexual intercourse with a person over 10 and under 14 years, two charges of indecent assault of a person under 16 years, one charge of commit act of indecency with a person under 16 years and two charges of attempting sexual intercourse child with a child over 10 under 14.

“Following extensive inquiries, a 35-year-old man was arrested at Manly Police Station about 6am today,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.

“In March 2023, Strike Force NOORAL was established to investigate the incident.”

The taskforce investigation began the same month Mr Amon was elected to parliament, he is the opposition assistant youth spokesperson.

All ten alleged incidents took place between June 1 and late July in Mona Vale.

The teenage boy, according to court documents, was 13 years old at the time of Mr Amon’s alleged sexual offences.

Rory Amon, Liberal candidate for Pittwater at the March 2023 state election. Picture : Supplied

Mr Amon had sought to ban the media from reporting on his court matter and details of the allegations, with his solicitor, MacDougall & Hydes, indicating they’d look to apply for a suppression order at Manly Local Court on Friday afternoon.

However, after discussions between the MP’s solicitor, a representative from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and Thomson Geer’s Amelia CausleyTodd, the suppression bid was withdrawn by consent.

Ms Causley Todd was representing media outlets, including News Limited, the owner of The Australian.

The court head Mr Amon’s next appearance won’t be until late October at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court.

He remains on strict bail conditions, including daily police reporting, surrendering his passport, and to not contact the alleged victim.

Born Roderick Gilmore Amon, he joined the Northern Beaches Council in September 2017, meaning the alleged assault predates his political career by two months. Prior to local politics he worked as a family law solicitor with a specialty in domestic and family violence.

“Today I have been charged in relation to events alleged to have taken place in 2017,” Mr Amon said in a statement. “I deny all charges, and will make my case in the courts, not in the media. Accordingly, I will make no further comment on the case.”

“The nature of the charges against me are such that I will be unable to continue to fully represent my community in parliament. As a result, I have tendered my resignation as the Member for Pittwater, effective immediately.

“The people of Pittwater should have a representative who can dedicate one hundred per cent of their time advocating for this wonderful community. As I defend myself against these charges, I will not be able to devote my full energy to representing them.

“Thank you to all those who have supported me.

“It’s been the greatest honour of my life to represent my community on Northern Beaches Council from September 2017, and as the Member for Pittwater since March 2023.”

NSW opposition leader Mark Speakman said he requested Mr Amon quit the party on Friday. His resignation has since been processed.

“The charges laid against Mr Rory Amon are extremely serious. The alleged conduct strikes at the heart of the standards expected of Members of Parliament,” Mr Speakman said in a statement.

“Upon learning of these charges, I asked for and received Mr Amon’s immediate resignation from the Liberal Party.

NSW Liberal Party leader Mark Speakman. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

“While Mr Amon is entitled to the presumption of innocence, a criminal trial will be some time away and in the meantime the citizens of Pittwater are entitled to have a Member of Parliament who can discharge their duties in the community fully.

“I therefore also asked Mr Amon to resign from the New South Wales Parliament, effective immediately. He has tendered his resignation to the Speaker.”

Mr Amon, 35, and other Northern Beaches Liberal figures were set to appear at a party meeting on August 28 to launch the campaign of Northern Beaches LGA candidate Sunny Singh.

His resignation leaves the state Liberal party facing its third seat sent to a by-election in just over two months following the resignations of former Premier Dominic Perrottet and former Treasurer Matt Kean. At the 2023 state election, Mr Amon held the electorate on a 0.2 per cent margin.