Daniel Andrews’ mate and Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, Gavin Jennings, today refused to stand aside Labor MP, Cesar Melhem, from his powerful and important role as Chair of the Legislative Council Standing Committee on the Environment and Planning.
Mr Cesar Melhem, MLC, is facing serious allegations of fraudulent behaviour, of operating a slush fund, and of misappropriating union members’ funds.
The Federal Court will decide Mr Melhem’s guilt or innocence in relation to these allegations, but the only honourable course of action in the interim, given Mr Jennings’ refusal to stand Mr Melhem aside, is for Mr Melhem to voluntarily stand aside as Chair of the Environment and Planning Committee until these matters are resolved.
Comments attributable to Opposition Leader in the Legislative Council, David Davis:
“Until the corruption matters are resolved in the Federal Court, Mr Melhem will remain under a cloud.”
“It’s imperative that Cesar Melhem stand aside and that the work of the Environment and Planning Committee including its important recycling reference not be compromised.”