Embattled Victorian MP Cesar Melhem has stepped down as government whip in the upper house.
Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters Mr Melhem resigned on Monday night during a “private conversation” on the phone and that the resignation would be confirmed in a caucus meeting on Tuesday morning.
“At the end of the conversation Mr Melhem resigned as the whip,” the Premier said. “In terms of Mr Melhem’s duties I’m sure he’ll remain very much focused on being a hard working local MP.”
MP for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes will take over as whip in the upper house.
When Mr Melhem was asked on Tuesday morning by reporters if he felt he had betrayed his former union members over a deal that allegedly short-changed cleaners, he said that was “absolutely not” the case.
Later in a statement, he said he had decided to stand down because press speculation about his role in the government could be a potential distraction.
“I again deny any allegation of wrongdoing made against me at the trade union royal commission,” he said. “I have always acted in the best interests of working people and will continue to do so.”
Members of Mr Melhem’s own Right sub-faction linked to the Australian Workers’ Union – including Roads Minister Luke Donnellan, Natalie Hutchins, Anthony Carbines, Danny Pearson, Shaun Leane, Jaclyn Symes and Natalie Suleyman – told Fairfax Media on Monday they hoped, and expected, he would voluntarily step down ahead of the ALP caucus meeting at 10am.
If Mr Melhem did not resign, caucus would have considered removing him to avoid more damaging distractions.
Mr Melhem came under fire last week after the royal commission heard allegations of a deal with a cleaning company that left workers on lower pay in return for cash payments to the AWU when he was state secretary.
