By Tara Cosoleto, AAP
A Labor MP forced to resign from the party after being accused of assault should step down as the chair of a Victorian parliamentary committee, the premier says.
Daniel Andrews sought Ringwood MP Will Fowles’ resignation from the parliamentary Labor Party on Saturday after referring the “serious assault” allegations to Victoria Police.
Mr Fowles resigned but denied the allegations, saying he expected his name would be cleared.
Victoria Police confirmed it received the government’s referral but the alleged victim, believed to be a government employee, is yet to make a formal complaint.
Mr Fowles is still the chair of the parliament’s electoral matters committee, which will on Thursday start its inquiry into last year’s state election.
The premier said the Ringwood MP should step down from that position.
“I would have thought if you formed the view that it was appropriate to resign, when asked to, from the Victorian parliamentary Labor Party, then I would think it’s appropriate to resign as the chairman of that committee,” he said on Tuesday.
Mr Andrews said the decision rested with Mr Fowles and the committee.
He would not comment on the allegations, saying it would be inappropriate given the matter was referred to police.
Mr Fowles on Sunday said he would cooperate with any process or inquiry but he expected his resignation from Labor to be temporary.
The premier denied that would be the case.
“This was not a leave of absence, this was not a suspension,” Mr Andrews said.
“A resignation was sought and a resignation was given moments later.”
In 2019, Mr Fowles kicked through the lower half of a door at the Abode Hotel in Canberra during an argument with staff about his luggage.
At the time, Mr Fowles said his actions were driven by anxiety because he wasn’t able to access his luggage containing medication.
He took a leave of absence for three months to deal with mental health issues.
The 45-year-old father of four was elected in Ringwood with 57.5 per cent of the two-party preferred vote. He previously held the seat of Burwood.
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