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Geoff Shaw’s fate to be decided in political showdown Geoff Shaw’s fate to be decided in political showdown
(2 months later)
Renegade MP Geoff Shaw will be at the centre of a showdown between the government and Labor on Wednesday afternoon, when the Victorian premier, Denis Napthine, moves to fine and suspend the defiant member for Frankston for abusing his parliamentary vehicle and fuel card.Renegade MP Geoff Shaw will be at the centre of a showdown between the government and Labor on Wednesday afternoon, when the Victorian premier, Denis Napthine, moves to fine and suspend the defiant member for Frankston for abusing his parliamentary vehicle and fuel card.
The opposition leader, Daniel Andrews, says the suspension, which would see Shaw docked 11 days’ pay, is “a slap on the wrist”, and will press for the recalcitrant MP to be expelled.The opposition leader, Daniel Andrews, says the suspension, which would see Shaw docked 11 days’ pay, is “a slap on the wrist”, and will press for the recalcitrant MP to be expelled.
Shaw said the proposed suspension was “horrendous”, claiming the government was trying to stop him from agitating to reform Victoria’s abortion laws.Shaw said the proposed suspension was “horrendous”, claiming the government was trying to stop him from agitating to reform Victoria’s abortion laws.
''[Napthine] wasn't happy that I continually brought up the need to change Victoria's abortion laws. He wasn't happy that I called his government moral cowards because they wouldn't change those laws, and he is not happy that I have been a passionate advocate for Frankston,” he told Fairfax Media.''[Napthine] wasn't happy that I continually brought up the need to change Victoria's abortion laws. He wasn't happy that I called his government moral cowards because they wouldn't change those laws, and he is not happy that I have been a passionate advocate for Frankston,” he told Fairfax Media.
Shaw has said he wants to repeal a law that compels doctors who oppose abortion to refer women to another doctor willing to perform the procedure.Shaw has said he wants to repeal a law that compels doctors who oppose abortion to refer women to another doctor willing to perform the procedure.
All eyes will be on the former speaker, Ken Smith, who resigned at Shaw’s behest in February and promised last week to vote with Labor for Shaw’s expulsion.All eyes will be on the former speaker, Ken Smith, who resigned at Shaw’s behest in February and promised last week to vote with Labor for Shaw’s expulsion.
The Coalition holds 44 seats to Labor’s 43, making Smith’s support crucial for both sides. He said on Tuesday he was keeping his options open and would consider any Labor alternative to Napthine’s proposal before making a decision.The Coalition holds 44 seats to Labor’s 43, making Smith’s support crucial for both sides. He said on Tuesday he was keeping his options open and would consider any Labor alternative to Napthine’s proposal before making a decision.
Speaker Christine Fyffe has indicated that Shaw will be permitted to vote on the punishment and that in the event of a deadlock, in line with parliamentary convention, she would cast her ballot to maintain the status quo – against Napthine’s proposal to suspend.Speaker Christine Fyffe has indicated that Shaw will be permitted to vote on the punishment and that in the event of a deadlock, in line with parliamentary convention, she would cast her ballot to maintain the status quo – against Napthine’s proposal to suspend.
After blocking a Labor move to expel Shaw from parliament, Napthine on Tuesday flagged a punishment that would see the Frankston MP fined nearly $7,000, suspended until early September and forced to issue an apology.After blocking a Labor move to expel Shaw from parliament, Napthine on Tuesday flagged a punishment that would see the Frankston MP fined nearly $7,000, suspended until early September and forced to issue an apology.
Last month, the privileges committee found that Shaw had breached the MPs’ code of conduct by using his taxpayer-funded car and fuel to pick up and deliver stock for his Frankston hardware business.Last month, the privileges committee found that Shaw had breached the MPs’ code of conduct by using his taxpayer-funded car and fuel to pick up and deliver stock for his Frankston hardware business.
Shaw, a Liberal turned independent, holds the balance of power in the lower house.Shaw, a Liberal turned independent, holds the balance of power in the lower house.
The government says it will introduce the motion to punish Shaw about 3pm, after the end of question time. The government says it will introduce the motion to punish Shaw about 3pm, after the end of question time.