The Victorian coalition has used its numbers to back a motion by balance of power MP Geoff Shaw amid opposition claims it has stitched up a deal for political reasons.
Mr Shaw has successfully moved in parliament for the privileges committee to probe his clash with taxi protesters last month, saying he was verbally assaulted and spat on as he made his way up the parliament steps.
But he also declared he had no faith in the privileges committee, nor Speaker Ken Smith.
The coalition backed the Frankston MP's motion, with deputy Liberal leader Louise Asher saying MPs had a right to enter and exit parliament without being harassed.
But Labor MPs opposed it, saying the timing of the motion is suspicious because of the big lag between the October 20 incident and Mr Shaw's motion.
Labor MP for Melton, Don Nardella said the motion was an abuse of process.
"This is a grubby dirty deal," he told parliament.
"It brings the parliament into disrepute, using the majority of this house for purely political matters."
Shadow treasurer Tim Pallas said putting the complaint to the committee is "nothing short of a distortion".
Despite Labor opposition, the motion was carried 43-40.
Mr Shaw, the Liberal turned independent who holds the balance of power in the lower house, on Tuesday helped hand the coalition government a majority in parliament until the end of the year.
He left the house, which allowed Mr Smith to use his casting vote to suspend Labor's Jacinta Allan for six days, amid rowdy scenes in parliament as the opposition again tried to have the Speaker resign.
The privileges committee has suspended its investigation into Mr Shaw's alleged use of his taxpayer-funded vehicle and fuel entitlements while the matter is before the courts.
The committee said it is bound by sub judice and suspending its inquiry while the matter is in the courts is in line with the Westminster system.
"The committee has not come to any conclusions about the allegations against Mr Shaw," its report tabled in parliament on Wednesday said.
Mr Shaw has written to the committee chair saying the police decision to charge him in relation to a matter before the committee was "an abuse of parliament".
Mr Shaw also says the Speaker has the power to stop the police prosecution and parliament could deal with the allegations with an outcome that "was adequate to the offence", News Corp Australia reports.
Mr Shaw's lawyers are negotiating with prosecutors about his 24 dishonesty charges after a magistrate said the MP was unsuitable for a diversion program, which would have allowed him to avoid a guilty finding and thereby retain his seat.
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