The Victorian premier has shut the door on a Labor MP's return to the parliamentary party, saying his forced resignation amid assault allegations was not temporary.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Daniel Andrews sought Ringwood MP Will Fowles' resignation on Saturday after referring allegations of a "serious assault" to Victoria Police.
Mr Fowles resigned but denied the allegations, saying he expected his name would be cleared and his resignation from the parliamentary Labor Party would only be temporary.
But the premier denied that would be the case.
"Resignations are not in my experience temporary," Mr Andrews said on Tuesday.
"This was not a leave of absence, this was not a suspension.
"Resignation was sought and resignation was offered... it's done, he's no longer a member of the parliamentary Labor Party."
Victoria Police confirmed it received the government's referral but the alleged victim 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.
As committee chair, Mr Fowles is set to pocket an extra $19,883 this financial year on top of his base MP salary of $198,839.
The premier said Mr Fowles 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.
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.
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 luggage containing his medication.
He took a leave of absence for three months to deal with mental health issues before returning to parliament.
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.
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
Australian Associated Press
