Rebel Victorian MP Geoff Shaw suspended and fined

REBEL independent MP Geoff Shaw was last night handed the longest suspension from the Victorian Parliament in a century.

Victorian Premier Denis Napthine speaks to Ken Smith before question time yesterday. Picture: Nicole Garmston

REBEL independent MP Geoff Shaw was last night handed the longest suspension from the Victorian Parliament in a century after lengthy investi­gations found he had rorted his vehicle and fuel allowance.

The vote came after former Speaker Ken Smith announced at the eleventh hour he would back the Napthine government on the floor of the parliament, ending days of uncertainty about the government’s ability to reach the November 29 election.

The government-backed motion suspended Mr Shaw for 11 sitting days, fined him more than $6800 and will force him to make a humiliating apology.

Premier Denis Napthine said it was the longest suspension in a century, warning that Mr Shaw faced expulsion unless he abided by the conditions set down in the motion.

Mr Smith’s decision late yesterday gave the government the numbers to eject Mr Shaw until September 2, opening the way for more instability as the political parties enter the busiest phase of their election campaigns.

Labor’s attempts to have Mr Shaw expelled from the parliament were lost after Speaker Christine Fyffe cast her vote to break the 42-42 vote deadlock. Labor leader Daniel Andrews savaged the government’s decision to forego the opportunity to permanently exclude Mr Shaw from the parliament.

“We’ve got a slap on the wrist, protection instead of punishment,’’ he said.

The tide turned against Labor’s bid for expulsion when Mr Smith — a 25-year veteran — ended days of uncertainty and backed the government, warning Labor’s amendment could lead to a dangerous precedent.

Until Mr Smith rejected the Labor amendment, there were concerns that a by-election would be held and lost by the Liberal Party, imperilling the government’s hold on power.

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

Mr Shaw described the government motion as “a bit harsh’’ and is believed to have been devastated by the severity of some of the measures.

He has blamed Dr Napthine’s refusal to reform abortion law as key to his decision last week to stop backing the government, ­offering to support any Labor ­motion of no confidence in the government.

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

Mr Shaw’s 11-day absence on sitting days will mean the votes on the floor of the parliament will be 43-43 with a Liberal speaker having the casting vote.

Deputy Premier Peter Ryan acknowledged the challenges of being in a knife-edge parliament, which will require compromise and negotiations with Labor.

“I now call on Mr Andrews having regard to the matters of these past few days to co-operate with us in the running of the parliament in the interests of all Victorians,’’ he said.

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 government last March on the same day as Ted Baillieu was forced from the premiership, said yesterday that he would not be attending the debate because it was “boring’’ and did not appear in the parliamentary chamber for the suspension motion.

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