Geoff Shaw (politician)

Shaw attended John Paul College in Frankston, Victoria, graduating in 1985. He then attended Monash University where he attained a Bachelor of Business Accounting in 1988 and entered his own small business as a certified accountant and financial planner.http://www.vic.liberal.org.au/People/StateLowerHouseCandidates/GeoffShaw/tabid/241/Default.aspx Retrieved 2010-12-06 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613015440/http://www.vic.liberal.org.au/People/StateLowerHouseCandidates/GeoffShaw/tabid/241/Default.aspx |date=13 June 2010 }}

In 1992, Shaw was charged with and found guilty of assault after breaking a man's ribs while working as a nightclub bouncer. He was fined and placed on a good behaviour bond, but no conviction was recorded.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/frankston-mp-geoff-shaw-reveals-he-once-once-charged-over-a-nightclub-attack/story-fn6bfm6w-1226073624832|title=Frankston MP Geoff Shaw reveals he was once charged with assault|work=Sunday Herald-Sun |author=Rolfe, Peter|date=12 June 2011|accessdate=13 June 2014}} The victim's wife stated Shaw threw her husband down two flights of stairs, and also pushed her into a gutter.{{cite web |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/geoff-shaw-the-man-who-almost-brought-the-victorian-government-to-its-knees/news-story/2357990877adb91b2f023eb12fa5881b |title=Geoff Shaw, the man who almost brought the Victorian government to its knees |last=Chang |first=Charis |date=4 June 2014 |work=news.com.au |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720121948/https://www.news.com.au/national/geoff-shaw-the-man-who-almost-brought-the-victorian-government-to-its-knees/news-story/2357990877adb91b2f023eb12fa5881b |archive-date=20 July 2022 |url-status=live}}

Shaw entered politics at the 2010 Victorian state election where he defeated the incumbent Labor member Alistair Harkness.

In April 2011, Shaw wrote to a homosexual constituent suggesting "his desire to love who he wanted was as illegitimate as a dangerous driver wanting to speed or a child molester wanting to molest".{{cite news|title=MP outrages gay constituent with child molester analogy |authorlink1=Michael Bachelard|last1=Bachelard|first1=Michael |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/mp-outrages-gay-constituent-with-child-molester-analogy-20110507-1edg0.html|newspaper=The Age|date=8 May 2011|accessdate=11 October 2012}} The constituent had written to Shaw objecting to the government's renewal of religious organisations' exemption under anti-discrimination legislation. The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission stated Shaw's comments were "wrong and potentially dangerous". Shaw was forced to apologise over the incident.

In August 2011, Shaw was involved in a roadside fight in his electorate;{{cite news|title=MP 'punched' in roadside ruckus|author=Bucci, Nino|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/mp-punched-in-roadside-ruckus-20110825-1jbbl.html|newspaper=The Age|date=25 August 2011|accessdate=11 October 2012}} it was alleged that he was involved in a conversation between a police officer and another driver, with an exchange of words developing into a physical altercation, with injuries to the other driver.{{cite news|last=McArthur|first=Grant|title=Police probe Liberal MP Geoff Shaw's roadside 'scuffle'|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/liberal-mp-intervenes-in-argument-between-police-officer-and-motorist/story-fn7x8me2-1226122408698?sv=f6c96e97946b33205602aaf19bb25c81|accessdate=6 March 2013|newspaper=Herald Sun|date=26 August 2011}}

In addition to his parliamentary duties, Shaw has run two small businesses including an accounting firm, Geoff Shaw & Partners, in Frankston; and Southern Cross Hardware, a hardware factory in {{VICcity|Carrum Downs}}.{{cite news|title=Liberal MP Geoff Shaw accused of moonlighting |author1=Hurley, David|author2=Rolfe, Peter|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/liberal-mp-accused-of-moonlighting/story-fn7x8me2-1226353866139|newspaper=Herald Sun|date=13 May 2012|accessdate=27 May 2012}} In May 2012, it was alleged that Shaw's parliamentary car was being used for business purposes for hardware factory. Shaw claimed his staff used the vehicle without his knowledge, however, several whistleblowers said they remembered Shaw driving the car himself. Baillieu announced he had referred the case to the Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly and the Department of Parliamentary Services to examine the use of Shaw's parliamentary entitlements.{{cite news |title=Liberal MP Geoff Shaw was delivery driver|author1=Hurley, David|author2=Rolfe, Peter|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/liberal-mp-geoff-shaw-was-delivery-driver/story-fn7x8me2-1226367893852|newspaper=Herald Sun|date=27 May 2012 |accessdate=27 May 2012}} In September 2013, criminal charges were brought against Shaw.{{cite news|first=John|last=Ferguson|title=Frankston MP Geoff Shaw charged with misconduct|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/frankston-mp-geoff-shaw-charged-with-misconduct-20130917-2twji.html|accessdate=3 December 2013|newspaper=The Age|date=17 September 2013}} Prosecutors dropped the charges in December and referred to the Legislative Assembly's Privileges Committee.{{cite news|title=Charges against Victorian independent MP Geoff Shaw dropped|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-03/charges-against-victorian-independent-mp-geoff-shaw-dropped/5130932|accessdate=3 December 2013|newspaper=ABC News|location=Australia|date=3 December 2013}} In May 2014, the Privileges Committee found that Shaw was not diligent in the management of his parliamentary vehicle; that he allowed individuals connected with his private business to use his parliamentary vehicle with little or no supervision; that he enabled the use of his parliamentary vehicle for commercial purposes and his parliamentary fuel card to purchase fuel for his private vehicle; and that he contravened the code of conduct for members as set out in {{Cite Legislation AU|VIC|act|mopoia1978439|Members of Parliament (Register of Interests) Act, 1978|3}}.

In March 2013, Shaw resigned from the parliamentary Liberal Party, announcing that he would sit in the Legislative Assembly on the crossbenches as an independent politician.{{cite news|title=Government may be in balance as MP quits: report|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/government-may-be-in-balance-as-mp-quits-report-20130306-2fk80.html|accessdate=6 March 2013|newspaper=The Age|date=6 March 2013}} In the wake of the release of secret police tapes, Shaw refused to commit to supporting the government if Baillieu remained Premier. Baillieu subsequently resigned as Premier the following day.{{cite news|last=Johnston|first=Matt|title=Ted Baillieu resigns as Victoria's Premier|url=http://www.news.com.au/national-news/victoria/victorian-backbencher-geoff-shaw-quits-liberals-premier-ted-baillieu-on-the-brink-as-mps-call-crisis-meetings/story-fndo4cq1-1226591143726|accessdate=6 March 2013|newspaper=Herald Sun|date=6 March 2013}} Ports Minister Denis Napthine succeeded Baillieu as Premier and stated that Shaw would not be endorsed by the Liberal Party as a candidate for the 2014 state election.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-19/no-chance-of-geoff-shaw-running-as-a-liberal-at-the-next-electi/4967716|title=No chance of Geoff Shaw running as a Liberal at the next election, says the Premier|work=ABC News|location=Australia|date=19 September 2013 }}

In October 2013, Shaw was involved in a physical altercation on the front steps of Parliament House. His arrival for Question Time coincided with a protest by taxi drivers in front of the House.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-15/independent-mp-geoff-shaw-involved-in-scuffle/5023980|title=MP Geoff Shaw involved in scuffle on Parliament steps|work=ABC News|location=Australia|date=16 October 2013|accessdate=13 June 2014 }}

In November 2013. Australian media reported that Premier Napthine had 'secretly assisted' Shaw to draft a Private Member's Bill to change state abortion legislation.{{cite news|title=Geoff Shaw dictating Coalition's agenda|date=28 November 2013|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/shaw-dictating-coalitions-agenda/story-e6frfkp9-1226770014975|work=News.com.au |accessdate=27 November 2013}}{{cite news|first=John|last=Ferguson|title=Denis Napthine secretly helped Geoff Shaw over abortion laws – report|date=28 November 2013|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/denis-napthine-secretly-helped-geoff-shaw-over-abortion-laws-report/story-fni0fit3-1226770166340|work=Herald Sun|accessdate=27 November 2013}}{{cite news|first=John |last=Ferguson|title=Geoff Shaw dictating Coalition's agenda|date=28 November 2013|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/shaw-dictating-coalitions-agenda/story-e6frgczx-1226770014975|work=The Australian|accessdate=27 November 2013}} Napthine refuted the allegations and stated his Government had no plans to change abortion laws,{{cite news|first1=Carolyn|last1=Webb|first2=Henrietta|last2=Cook|title=Napthine vows he will not change abortion laws|date=4 December 2013|url= http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/napthine-vows-he-will-not-change-abortion-laws-20131203-2yon9.html|work=The Age|accessdate=4 December 2013}} nor would he support any such change. Shaw reportedly planned to introduce the bill before the 2014 state election.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/shaw-drops-abortion-bombshell-20140508-37wxm.html|title=Shaw drops abortion bombshell|work=The Age|date=8 May 2014}} In June 2014 Napthine stated "while I am Premier of this state, I will not allow Mr Shaw to introduce any legislation seeking to change the abortion laws in Victoria."{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/abortion-debate-not-on-denis-napthine-pledges-20140607-39q4w.html#ixzz34QuxMYdg|title=Abortion debate not on, Denis Napthine pledges|work=The Age|date=8 June 2014|author=Tomazin, Farrah|accessdate=12 June 2014}}

Following the findings in May 2014 that Shaw had contravened the code of conduct for members regarding the use of his parliamentary vehicle, Shaw told radio station 774 ABC Melbourne on 3 June 2014 that he would support a no confidence motion in the Napthine Government.{{cite news|last1=Savage|first1=Alison|title=Napthine-Andrews standoff over 'rorter' Geoff Shaw a battle of nerves|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-04/denis-napthine-daniel--andrews-standoff-geoff-shaw/5498766|accessdate=4 June 2014|work=ABC News|location=Australia|date=4 June 2014}} Initial indications were that both the Labor state opposition and the Napthine government would seek to evict Shaw from the Victorian Parliament due to misuse of parliamentary privilege.{{cite news|first1=Henrietta|last1=Cook|first2=Richard |last2=Willingham|title=Geoff Shaw will support no confidence motion against Napthine government|work=The Age|date=4 June 2014|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria-geoff-shaw-will-support-no-confidence-motion-against-napthine-government-20140603-39gsu.html}}{{cite news|author1=Hawthorne, Mark|author2=Willingham, Richard|title=The call that did the deed|work=The Age|date=5 June 2014 |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/the-call-that-did-the-deed-20140604-39jh6.html}} On 11 June 2014 following an extended debate, the Members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly were asked to discipline Shaw by expelling him from Parliament. Following a division of the assembly that was deadlocked 42 all, with Shaw absent from the floor of the chamber for the debate, the speaker Christine Fyffe used her casting vote to defeat the motion. A subsequent motion was proposed by a Liberal member that "...the Member for Frankston be suspended from the service of this House for eleven sitting days." The motion was carried without division.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2014/s4023612.htm|work=AM (ABC Radio)|location=Australia|type=streaming audio and transcript|date=12 June 2014|accessdate=13 June 2014|title=Vic Parliament suspends Geoff Shaw|author1=Uhlmann, Chris|authorlink1=Chris Uhlmann|author2=Donovan, Samantha}}{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-11/geoff-shaw-motion-parliament/5514664|title=Geoff Shaw suspended from Victorian Parliament after Government motion passes|work=ABC News|location=Australia|date=12 June 2014|accessdate=12 June 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/rogue-mp-geoff-shaw-suspended-from-parliament-20140611-zs4c4.html|title=Rogue MP Geoff Shaw suspended from Parliament|work=The Age|date=11 June 2014|accessdate=12 June 2014|author1=Willingham, Richard|author2=Cook, Henrietta|author3=Gordon, Josh}}{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/geoff-shaw-must-be-remorseful-or-be-expelled-denis-napthine-warns-20140612-zs4vw.html#ixzz34Qz8OzFY|title=Geoff Shaw must be remorseful or be expelled, Denis Napthine warns|work=The Age|date=12 June 2014|accessdate=12 June 2014|author1=Lillebuen, Steve }}{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/rebel-victorian-mp-geoff-shaw-suspended-and-fined/story-e6frgczx-1226951295726#|title=Rebel Victorian MP Geoff Shaw suspended and fined|work=The Australian|date=12 June 2014|accessdate=12 June 2014|author1=Ferguson, John|author2=Baxendale, Rachel}} Shaw was required to pay his fine by 2 September or face expulsion.

On 12 October 2022 United Australia Party founder Clive Palmer announced that Shaw would lead the party's ticket for the 2022 Victorian state election and would run as a candidate for the Victorian Legislative Council in the Northern Victoria Region. Shaw cited frustration with the current Labor government and "the leadership of Daniel Andrews" as reasons for returning to state politics. The UAP won no seats in the election, receiving only 0.83% of first preference votes.{{cite web |title=2022 State election results |url=https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/results/state-election-results/2022-state-election-results |website=Victorian Electoral Commission |access-date=10 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606110651/https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/results/state-election-results/2022-state-election-results |archive-date=6 June 2024}}

Shaw separated from his first wife, with whom he had four children, in 2011. In 2012, Shaw admitted to writing a sign on the back of one his election posters aimed at his estranged wife, which stated "Please forgive me, I love you Sally: Psalm 42:1". Shaw placed the sign on a busy road near his former partner's home. During Shaw's separation from his wife, police had to be called when he caused distress to his family by refusing to leave their home.{{cite web |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/bombshell-report-expected-to-put-heat-on-embattled-frankston-mp-geoff-shaw/story-e6frg6n6-1226493436784 |title=Ombudsman's report puts heat on embattled Frankston MP Geoff Shaw |last1=Drill |first1=Stephen |last2=McArthur |first2=Grant |date=11 October 2012 |work=The Australian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011132138/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/bombshell-report-expected-to-put-heat-on-embattled-frankston-mp-geoff-shaw/story-e6frg6n6-1226493436784 |archive-date=11 October 2012 |url-status=dead}} Shaw married a woman named Bianca in 2014.

Shaw is an active Christian. He is a member of Peninsula City Church, a megachurch in Frankston. He once told 7.30, "I'm a Christian first and an MP is me—just what I do."Milligan, Louise. [http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2013/s3943496.htm Victoria's maverick MP denies wrongdoing and puts Christianity first]. ABC News, 2014-02-12. In his maiden speech to the Victorian parliament, he acknowledged "the original owner of the land on which we stand—God, the Creator, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of the Bible."{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/gods-on-your-side-ask-mp-geoff-shaw/story-fni0ffut-1226695091017|title=God's on your side? Ask MP Geoff Shaw|last=Howe|first=Alan|date=12 August 2013|work=Herald Sun|accessdate=16 October 2013}}

{{reflist}}

{{stack|{{Portal|Australia}}}}

• {{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/documents/assembly/Privileges_Cmt/Recommendation_2_-_Final_report.pdf|type=PDF|title=Inquiry in relation to recommendation 2 of the Ombudsman's report Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001: Investigation into allegations against Mr Geoff Shaw MP|work=Legislative Assembly Privileges Committee|publisher=Parliament of Victoria|location=Melbourne, Victoria|date=May 2014|pages=1–159}}
• {{Cite Legislation AU|VIC|act|mopoia1978439|Members of Parliament (Register of Interests) Act, 1978}}
• {{cite news|url=http://theconversation.com/explainer-geoff-shaw-and-contempt-of-parliament-in-victoria-27605|title=Explainer: Geoff Shaw and contempt of parliament in Victoria|work=The Conversation|location=Australia|date=5 June 2014|author=Waugh, John}}

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{{s-par|au-vic-la}}

{{s-bef|before=Alistair Harkness}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member for Frankston|years=2010–2014}}

{{s-aft|after=Paul Edbrooke}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Shaw, Geoff}}

Category:1967 births

Category:21st-century Australian politicians

Category:Australian accountants

Category:Australian Pentecostals

Category:Australian people convicted of assault

Category:Independent members of the Parliament of Victoria

Category:Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Victoria

Category:Living people

Category:Members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly

Category:Political scandals in Australia

Category:Monash University alumni

Category:Security guards

Category:Politicians from Queensland