Victorian Liberal party in turmoil as MP denies colleague’s accusations of assault

Victorian Liberal leader Jess Wilson said ‘the parties involved deserve due process, the presumption of innocence and their privacy respected while this is investigated’. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP View image in fullscreen Victorian Liberal leader Jess Wilson said ‘the parties involved deserve due process, the presumption of innocence and their privacy respected while this is investigated’. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP Victorian Liberal party in turmoil as MP denies colleague’s accusations of assault Police confirm they are investigating as sources close to accused MP say he vehemently denies the allegations and is considering legal action Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast A female Victorian Liberal MP has accused a member of her party room of assaulting her at a community event, throwing the party into turmoil just five months out from the state election. Sources close to the accused MP said he vehemently denies the allegation and is considering a defamation legal action against his colleague. Australia" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="329" data-entity-type="organization">Guardian Australia has chosen not to name the MPs. Both have been approached for comment. CCTV footage of the incident has circulated and has been seen by Australia" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="329" data-entity-type="organization">Guardian Australia. Victoria-police" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="144887" data-entity-type="organization">Victoria police confirmed they are investigating reports a man assaulted a woman at a function last month. “The woman left the area following the incident and did not require medical attention. The incident was reported to police on 16 June,” they said in a statement. “The investigation into the incident remains ongoing and police believe the people involved are known to each other.” Australia" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="329" data-entity-type="organization">Guardian Australia understands the woman first approached the party with the allegation before taking the matter to police. The opposition leader, Jess Wilson, said as the matter was subject to a police investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment. “Like every other Victorian, the parties involved deserve due process, the presumption of innocence and their privacy respected while this is investigated,” Wilson said in a statement on Thursday. “I remain focused on issues that matter to Victorians and earning their trust so our state can have a fresh start in November.” In a statement the attorney general, Sonya Kilkenny, said Wilson “must answer” 10 questions about the allegations, including whether it is “appropriate for a member of her caucus to be in the party room when they are the subject of a complaint to police”. Kilkenny also asked whether the matter had been referred to the Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission. The commission was established by the Labor government in late 2024 to investigate allegations of misconduct involving members of parliament. It would not say whether it had received a referral or if it was investigating. The commission said the approach “protects the integrity of our processes and ensures procedural fairness for all parties involved”. Later on Thursday, the premier, Jacinta Allan, said Wilson could provide “certainty and clarity” by answering Kilkenny’s questions. “These are questions that go to the heart of the leadership of the Liberal party. They go to allegations of very serious matters about an alleged assault by one Liberal party member of parliament against a colleague in their party room,” Allan told reporters. “These are the questions that Jess Wilson, as the leader of the Liberal party, needs to come forward and answer today.” The allegation – just five months out from the election – will heap pressure on Wilson, who, after her appointment as leader in November, had managed to bring stability to the Liberal party, which has endured years of infighting between the moderate and more conservative groupings. The party also faces a serious challenge from a surging One Nation, which risks its chances to form a majority government. Wilson last week embarked on a five-week tour of each of the state’s 88 electorates, to pitch the Coalition as ready to govern. She had planned to be in Melbourne on Thursday morning and then visit regional Victorian, but it is understood media events will not go ahead. Explore more on these topics Victoria Victorian politics Liberal party news Share Reuse this content