Victorian MP Geoff Shaw will not face a judge and jury over charges he misused his parliamentary entitlements.
The Liberal-turned-independent will "vigorously defend" charges over the alleged misuse of his taxpayer-funded vehicle and parliamentary fuel card for his hardware business.
Magistrate Charles Rozencwajg indicated on Monday that he would grant Shaw's application for summary jurisdiction, which keeps the matter in the magistrates court.
Prosecution lawyer Ray Elston QC did not oppose the application.
During the hearing on Monday, defence barrister Robert Richter QC alluded to recent examples of federal MPs repaying entitlements and allowances.
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"There's no great complexity (to this case) - no trips interstate to Cairns or anything," Mr Richter told the court.
Mr Rozencwajg said: "No weddings?
"If this continues, the courts are going to have to create a special list for politicians."
Mr Richter suggested charges only arose when there were "other political considerations" involved.
If convicted under summary jurisdiction, Shaw faces a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment but could still hold on to his seat of Frankston.
Under the Victorian constitution, he only has to step down if he's convicted of an indictable offence.
Shaw, 46, is facing a charge of misconduct in public office and 23 counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception over a total of $2096.56 spent between February and December 2011.
The charges relate to the alleged misuse of his petrol card in Melbourne's southeast, country Victoria and NSW, and in the Adelaide suburb of Elizabeth Vale.
Shaw intends to vigorously defend the charges, Mr Richter said.
The matter will return to the Melbourne Magistrates Court on November 20.
Shaw holds the balance of power in Victoria's lower house.
