MPs defend leader, slam Labor ‘smear’
COALITION MPs Andrew Katos and Simon Ramsay have endorsed Matthew Guy’s leadership over the “lobster with a mobster” revelations.
The Opposition Leader met with alleged mafia member Tony Madafferi for dinner at a Melbourne suburban lobster restaurant earlier this year, reports revealed this week.
Mr Guy claimed the meeting was not a donations dinner to funnel money to the Liberal Party, and he knew nothing about recorded phone calls.
Mr Katos, the South Barwon MP, said Mr Guy was a leader of impeccable integrity, adding that Premier Daniel Andrews often met with disgraced union leader John Setka, who has prior criminal convictions.
“Just to make clear so no one is in any doubt, Matthew has referred himself to IBAC (Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission),” Mr Katos said. “This is just a Labor smear. When you have Daniel Andrews meeting often with John Setka, who has criminal convictions, of course the Premier is keen to use this as a distraction from his own behaviour.”
Mr Ramsay, who represents Western Victoria in the Upper House, said Mr Guy’s meeting at the Beaumaris restaurant was simply “consultation with the seafood wholesalers sector”.
“Matthew Guy has my confidence as leader — 110 per cent,” Mr Ramsay said.
“There’s no desire for change, (Matthew Guy) is doing an excellent job and there’ll be no change (of leader).”