Residents in the South Barwon electorate have their say on MP Darren Cheeseman

The Geelong Advertiser has surveyed residents in the South Barwon electorate about besieged MP Darren Cheeseman. SEE THE DETAILS

Voters in the South Barwon electorate aren’t happy with their local MP Darren Cheeseman and most are calling for him to be kicked out of office.

The career politician went to ground in early May after he was stripped off his portfolio and axed from the Labor Party over allegations of “persistent, inappropriate behaviour” towards female staff members.

He has denied the claims.

Despite taking to Facebook to confirm his resignation from the party, and to confirm his commitment to serve as an independent, there has been little communication from Mr Cheeseman since.

Criticised as one of the least visible Labor MPs in the region, the Geelong Advertiser conducted two polls to gauge how voters felt about their representative.

Sixt-three per cent of residents in Barwon South questioned; from Highton, Waurn Ponds and Armstrong Creek, said Mr Cheeseman should be booted from office.

Local resident Kris Ware said she was disappointed to hear Mr Cheeseman was still serving while he battled allegations of misconduct against women.

“It’s pretty disappointing actually, it’s really disappointing,” Ms Ware said.

“We want leaders that are someone to look up to.”

Walking with her mother in Waurn Ponds, Aurora Jenkins said if he had allegations like that against him, he’s probably “not the best person to be representing us”.

Another local resident, Cameron Smith, had a more visceral reaction when asked about Mr Cheeseman.

“Kick him out, bloody oath,” Mr Smith said.

“Get rid of him.”

Brandishing a photo of Mr Cheeseman and asking close to 70 locals if they knew who Mr Cheeseman was, only 28 per cent of people could recognise him.

Billy Duncan said Mr Cheeseman’s face “didn’t ring a bell” but he had heard of him, and when asked if he was happy he was still his representative, Mr Duncan said “absolutely not”.

One woman, who wished not to be named, was instantly able to recognise Mr Cheeseman but echoed her disapproval of the MP.

“I know who it is but I’ve never seen him around at all, only at events where he can be seen.”

Not everyone was as eager to see Mr Cheeseman leave, with 37 per cent of the 40 people polled saying they were either “indifferent” or thought it was unfair to kick him out unless allegations of his alleged misconduct were confirmed.

Local resident Peter Ragan said he had previously read about the claims surrounding Mr Cheeseman, but thought removing him was a matter for the natural democratic process.

“Well you can’t throw him out, you can only do that by throwing an election,” Mr Ragan said.

Darren Cheeseman's office in Amrstrong Creek no longer has Labour Party signage and those working close by said it was eerily quiet. Picture: Alison Wynd

Mr Cheeseman is still listed as an independent on his parliamentary profile but has been sidelined out of parliament until further notice.

He was unwilling to comment on the result of the polls when contacted by the Geelong Advertiser.

Residents have recently come out demanding answers about a $1m pledge made in the lead up to the 2022 election to develop a business case for a secondary school in Armstong Creek.

With no information provided to the public since, parents and children in the fast-growing region have been left uncertain about school options into the future.

There is still ambiguity surrounding the completion of a Torquay community hospital that was promised six-years ago.

Mr Cheeseman said the government had delivered on their “election commitment” following land acquisition for the project in 2022.

The hospital’s future has come into question following the release of the state government budget in May this year.

Originally published as Residents in the South Barwon electorate have their say on MP Darren Cheeseman