Rebel Victoria MP Geoff Shaw suspended, fined after parliamentary vote

VICTORIA MP Geoff Shaw has been suspended from the parliament and fined, ending days of uncertainty for the Napthine government.

Victorian independent MP Geoff Shaw has been suspended by the parliament. Picture: Nicole Garmston

REBEL Victorian independent MP Geoff Shaw tonight was hit with the longest suspension from the parliament in a century after lengthy investigations found he rorted his vehicle and fuel allowance.

Former speaker Ken Smith backed the Napthine government on the floor of the parliament at the eleventh hour, ending days of uncertainty about the government’s ability to reach the November 29 election.

Mr Smith told the parliament that he would be supporting the government’s motion to suspend Mr Shaw for 11 sitting days, fine him more than $6800 and force a humiliating apology.

He told parliament that Labor’s plans to expel Mr Shaw were too extreme and could set a dangerous precedent.

His decision late today was expected to give the government the numbers on the floor of the parliament to eject Mr Shaw until September 2, when he faces possible expulsion if he does not comply with the conditions of the suspension.

The parliament engaged in a marathon debate where both sides argued stridently that Mr Shaw be punished but Labor wanted an expulsion, which would have triggered a by-election.

When Mr Smith spoke to the parliament Labor all but surrendered any chance of their expulsion amendment being successful.

Mr Smith said Labor’s expulsion amendment could “lead to political decisions being made on the future of members when the government of either Liberal or Labor have a very decisive majority and decide to expel a member without a good reason”.

“I shall not be supporting the opposition’s motion to expel the member for Frankston from parliament,’’ he told parliament.

Mr Shaw today described the government motion as “a bit harsh’’ and is believed to have been devastated by the most severe measures sought against an MP in more than a century.

He has blamed Premier Denis Napthine’s refusal to reform abortion law as key to his decision last week to stop backing the government.

The numbers in the Legislative Assembly are 44 Coalition, 43 Labor and Mr Shaw.

Mr Shaw faced three investigations into the misuse of his parliamentary car and petrol card, having been found by the privileges committee to have allowed the government car to be used for his private commercial gain.

Mr Shaw, who quit the Napthine government in March on the same day as former premier Ted Baillieu was forced from the premiership, has been synonymous with controversy.

He told reporters today that he would not be attending the debate because it was “boring’’.

Mr Shaw remained absent from for the vote after the dinner break.

Dr Napthine said Labor’s bid to expel Mr Shaw lacked fairness, justice and an appropriate ­penalty.

He said that if Mr Shaw failed to adhere to the terms of the government’s motion, “I would be moving that the member would be expelled from the house’’.

“This motion before the house will ensure that the member for Frankston accepts the serious consequences of his actions,’’ he said.

“It is about appropriate sanctions and sanctions that are enforceable, sanctions that will stick.’’

Labor leader Daniel Andrews said the government was attempting to avoid a by-election.

“If anyone in this chamber wants to know why we are held in such low regard by the hard-working people of this great state then look no further than the conduct of the member for Frankston and the Premier’s protection of him via this motion,” he said.