Darren Cheeseman: Labor MP forced to resign after allegations of ‘persistent and inappropriate behaviour’ towards staff

A veteran Labor MP has been forced to resign from his parliamentary position following allegations of ‘persistent and inappropriate behaviour’ towards staff.

In a statement issued on Friday evening, Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan said she had asked Darren Cheeseman, 47, to resign as Secretary of State for Education and he had done so.

Ms Allan asked for his dismissal due to ‘allegations of ongoing, inappropriate workplace behavior towards staff’.

“The well-being of staff and their right to a respectful workplace is non-negotiable,” she said.

Ms Allan said Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries are expected to conduct themselves to the highest standards of personal conduct in the performance of their duties and to conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the expectations of the community.

“Under the Code, ministers and parliamentary secretaries must take all reasonable steps to maintain respectful and appropriate working relationships with their staff, staff of other ministers and parliamentarians, parliamentary staff, VPS staff and ministerial and parliamentary colleagues,” she added.

The exact nature of the allegations against Mr. Cheeseman are unknown, but the Herald Sun reported that several complaints had been received about him.

Although Mr Cheeseman has resigned as parliamentary secretary, he remains a member of the Labor caucus in the Victorian Parliament.

This is likely to lead to internal criticism of Ms Allen, who replaced Daniel Andrews as prime minister last September.

“Jacinta stood up just a few days ago and said that calling out bad behavior could save a life and that we all have a leadership opportunity to play here,” said one lawmaker, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“This was her chance to lead and set an example by throwing him out.

“She didn’t succeed.”

Mr Cheeseman has held the seat of South Barwon for Labor in the Victorian Legislative Assembly since 2018.

Before switching to state politics, he held the federal seat of Corangamite from 2007-2013.

Last August, another Victorian Labor MP, Will Fowles, resigned from the parliamentary party amid ‘serious’ allegations of assault which he ‘vigorously’ denied.

Then Prime Minister Andrews asked him to resign.

Police investigated and questioned Mr Fowles about an alleged assault on a staff member, but no charges were filed.

But despite this, Ms Allan said Mr Fowles would not be welcomed back into the Labor caucus and is now sitting as an independent.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Cheeseman for comment.

In a statement issued on Friday evening, Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan (pictured) said she had asked Darren Cheeseman to resign from his role as Secretary of State for Education.