Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™ LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Victoria Liberal leader slammed after lobster dinner with alleged mafia boss

Victorian opposition leader Matthew Guy is referring himself to the state's corruption watchdog over his dinner with an alleged mafia boss.

Victorian opposition leader Matthew Guy plans to refer himself to the state's anti-corruption agency over his lobster dinner with an alleged mafia boss.

Mr Guy is "so confident am I that I have done nothing wrong" that he is referring himself to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, he told reporters on Tuesday.

The state's alternative premier admitted he was at Beaumaris restaurant the Lobster Cave for dinner in May with market farmers including alleged mafia identity Tony Madafferi.

Mr Guy said he spoke to fruit and vegetable seller Mr Madafferi as part of a group discussion on the Melbourne Market.

The Liberal leader repeatedly denied allegations the meeting was designed to solicit donations.

Mr Guy said he was invited to the two-hour dinner by long-time Liberal Party associate Frank Lamattina, who told the opposition leader it was a dinner with his cousins.

"I knew he was cousin Tony and then I asked Frank what his last name was," Mr Guy said of the night of the dinner.

File image of Deputy Premier James Merlino
File image of Deputy Premier James Merlino (AAP) Source: AAP

Deputy Premier James Merlino said Mr Guy needed to explain himself.

"This is no joke this is a deadly serious issue," he told reporters.

"Why on earth has the leader of the opposition had an intimate dinner with an organised crime figure?"


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


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.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world