MP Geoff Shaw under fire for comedy show appearance

Victoria's opposition has criticised MP Geoff Shaw's first public appearance since his suspension from state parliament, saying he looked like a man "relishing the spotlight" instead of shouldering a harsh penalty.

geoff_shaw_wheelercentre_aap.jpg

Geoff Shaw. (AAP)

Suspended MP Geoff Shaw looked like a man "relishing the spotlight" not shouldering the harshest penalty imposed by the Victorian parliament in a century, Labor says.

The independent MP has drawn more fire after his first public appearance since he was suspended from the Victorian parliament was on stage at a Friday night comedy event in Melbourne.

"Geoff Shaw didn't look like a man who was suffering terribly from the punishment meted out to him by (Premier) Denis Napthine and the Liberals last week," Labor shadow attorney-general Martin Pakula told reporters on Saturday.

"He looked like a man ready to go off on a couple of months' paid vacation.

"It's a shame that Denis Napthine didn't join with us last week to put this circus to an end once and for all."

The government successfully moved on Wednesday to have Mr Shaw suspended from the parliament for 11 sitting days over the misuse of his parliamentary car and fuel card.

He must also repay $6800 and formally apologise before his return on September 2.

The suspension curtailed a move by Labor to have Mr Shaw expelled from parliament.

"I get the distinct impression that Geoff Shaw is relishing the spotlight and it's probably a demonstration of the fact he knows that last week he dodged a bullet," Mr Pakula also said.

During the wide-ranging Q&A session with comedian Sammy J at the Wheeler Centre on Friday, Mr Shaw told the audience he was "exceptionally sorry" but also that he had been "screwed" by the parliament. He also played the bagpipes.

Labor has repeatedly accused Mr Napthine of protecting Mr Shaw because his vote is needed for the government to keep its grip on power.

Mr Shaw's suspension has left the Victorian government and opposition deadlocked on 43 votes apiece in the lower house.

Mr Pakula also said he expected the government to bring forward legislation where there was common ground with Labor to ensure the Speaker was not repeatedly called on cast a tie-breaking vote.


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world
MP Geoff Shaw under fire for comedy show appearance | SBS News